University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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T here are enough panels in the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to cover over three football fields. Panels, like this one of Kent L. Harvey, D.D.S., were given to commemorate the memory of family and friends who died from the AIDS virus. [Photo by Gerald Croson] A fter unfolding the panels, members of Parents- Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) stand around to make sure it is straight and presentable. [Photo by April Brown] M embers from both the Fayetteville community and University community flocked to the Quilt exhibit. Some members even came to see panels of loved ones. [Photo by April Brown] AIDS MemorialQuilt 31

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The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt moves visitors. N LOVING MEM0R1 “I think it’s different every time you see it because there are different people represented each time. I feel happy with people because people are remembered with the Quilt, but sometimes it’s sad because you see what the people meant to their loved one,” senior Laurie Dela Huerta said. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a memorial for those people who have died of AIDS. The panels that make up the Quilt come from all over the world. They are then sewn together and dis¬ played across the globe. The University display attracted many people, including those with fam¬ ily and friends with AIDS. “The Quilt made me think about people with AIDS. I have some friends with HIV and it really made me think about them. Some of the pan¬ els made me smile. One said ‘Let the Voyage Con¬ tinue’ on it. It was really nice and pretty,” fresh¬ man Joe Cole said. University Programs, who sponsored the display, hosted an opening night cer¬ emony to get the display started. Attend¬ ees, including sophomore Sejal Darji, thought the ceremony was touching. “I went to the opening ceremony and was very touched. It was beautiful. Ev¬ eryone was quiet and when they did the reading of the names [from the quilts displayed], I was in tears,” Darji said. “If you read the names or read the panels, it makes you realize a lot of people have suffered with the disease.” Many people who came to see the Quill didn’t know how they would react, physi - cally or emotionally. “I didn’t know what to expect. I think it’s moving to see how much everyone cares about these people- It’s like a piece of people is preserved,” freshman Cassie McGrewden said. Fresh man Olivia Walton viewed the Quilt for the first time and recognized the impact of the disease it represents. “I had heard about the Quilt but never seen it, so I came in blind. I came to see it because AIDS is a major issue. It might not affect you now but could later,” Walton said. Linda Mitchell, a nursi at the Health Center, wa| moved by the somber ness of the experience. “I just think it’s a shame that so man! people have died frotf such a painful disease- i It’s like walking through a cemetery ' ' Mitchell said in an interview with TM Arkansas Traveler. In a May, 1995, poll conducted by th s Centers for Disease Control, 54 percefl 1 of American children surveyed said the! think they might contract AIDS. With th e education that the NAMES Project AID- Memorial Quilt brings with it, maybe th lives of these children will be spared. B efore unfolding another panel to be displayed, members of Parents-Friends of Lesbians And Gays (P-FLAG) hold hands and reflect for a moment. The exhibit of the AIDS Quilt was an emotional experience for many of the guests, and vol¬ unteers were on hand at all times to comfort and console guests. [Photo by April Brown] Jennifer Cannon AIDS Memorial Quilt

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Barney sing-along excites children and parents. J. 1 REHISTORIC Erl ' “Who did you come here to see?” “Barney!” When the purple dinosaur that’s been entertaining children around the globe since 1991 bounced on stage, the sold- out audience went wild. It was the first time Barney, Baby Bop and B J. appeared in Arkansas and was the fastest-selling show University Pro¬ grams has ever spon¬ sored. Tickets went so fast that a second show was quickly scheduled. “We are delighted to bring Barney in person to the children of Arkansas for the first time,” Sheryl Leach, Barney’s creator, said in an interview with the Bentonville-Benton Daily Record. The children weren’t the only ones to benefit from the performance. A part of the proceeds went to the Helen R. Walton Children’s Center. “After all the expenses, the Children’s Center got around $30,000. The Ce¬ lebrity Showcase Com- g arney’s fan club shows their support at the concert which partially benefitted the Helen R. Walton Children’s Center. Parents and children alike enjoyed the show, and everyone who attended helped raise around $30,000 was raised for the center. [Photo by Gerald Croson] Jennifer Cannon the sing-along as a present. “She’s been watching Barney since she was one and really likes him, so I tool her for her birthday. I think Barney teaches kids things like how to get along and make friends,” Williams said. Barney and friends sang many of the children’s and parents’ favorite songs- like “Mr. Knickerbocker, “Down on Grandpa ' s Farm” and “The Clapping Game.” Classics such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It” were also sung- “I enjoyed the show and (1 knew most of the songs. Williams said. The attendees of th e sing-along came from all over the surrounding area. Sophomore Kelli Kuntz was surprised bi the turnout when sh £ heard about the concert and decided to be a par 1 of the event staff. “I hadn’t expected th fi turnout we got. I wash 1 thinking that mani people would hear aboid it off campus, becausg mittee usually focuses on most of the time the om the adult public and traditional stu¬ dents,” University Programs Celebrity Showcase Chairperson Kenny Schweer said. “We felt bringing Barney here was a good way to benefit the non-traditional students with children.” Parents brought their children out in full force to see Barney, selling more than 14,000 tickets in just a few days. Senior Matt Williams brought his daughter to people that hear about stuff are on cab 1 pus,” Kuntz said. “People came from ® far away as Pine Bluff. I was standing A the lobby helping people find their seat because most of them had never been t( j Barnhill before.” Whether they went to the first or setj ond show, children and parent alikeseemed to enjoy the performance As Barney said, it was “super-de-dooper ! Barney