On Nov. 12, students were fortunate enough to hear Paige Rawl’s inspirational speech on battling bullying and the chronic disease that is HIV/AIDS. Rawl’s author visit coincided with “Our School, Our Books” summer reading of her memoir Positive.

    Rawl, author of Positive, hopes that her book has inspired teens to speak out against bullying and that it has also inspired those who struggle with being different to share their stories.

    “I’ve been inspired by students and readers from every school I visit,” Paige said when asked about how she has grown after the book’s publication.

    When asked about her book’s title, her answer was inspirational. She said, “That’s how I want to live my life, finding a positive in every negative situation.”

Rawl pointed to one experience with a fan that has made her feel accomplished. “I’ve become friends with a person who recently found out that they are HIV positive and my book, parts of it at least, have helped them get through it. Also, having me to talk to has made it easier on them,” she said.

    She wasn’t nervous to step up in front of the students before this morning’s assemblies but she said that if someone she knew was in the audience, “All bets are off.”