File:Student Cindy Gibson.jpg

Summary

Occasionally as a teacher I was called to conferences where I was told that a student in one of my classes had a serious health condition. Usually it was either tuberculosis or hepatitis. However, in 1993 I was informed that Junior Cindy Gibson was about to go public and announce that she had AIDS. Cindy contracted the disease through a tainted blood transfusion she received in the second grade. Cindy was a delightful young lady who always had a smile on her face for everybody and who worked hard in class because her goal was to graduate with the Class of 1994. Her plan was to go to college and ultimately become either a veterinarian or a pediatrician. Because of the treatment for her illness, Cindy would miss school from time to time but she always made sure she stayed on top of her studies. She was an inspiration to everyone. The students and staff at BHS, as well as the Brunswick community, admired her for the courage she showed in dealing with this deadly disease. As a Senior, Cindy was always talking about how excited she would be to walk across the stage at graduation and recieve her diploma. Unfortunately she missed more and more school because of her illness, and just a few days before Cindy was to graduate she passed away. I remember going to her funeral viewing and how touched I was to see that in honor of Cindy's desire to graduate she was dressed in her cap and gown. She truly was an amazing person.

Courtesy of Jon Evans