Tsion Affman doesn’t remember exactly when she learned about HIV, AIDS and the impact the two diseases can have on people. But she does remember watching her 4- or 5-year-old niece take a lot of expensive medication every day to keep her AIDS under control.

In Ethiopia, where Affman was born and her niece resides, the World Health Organization estimates there are nearly 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Many people know someone affected by the immunodeficiency viral infection, Affman said.

“I’ve known about [HIV/AIDS] since I was really little … I just knew it was a really big disease. But you’d have to dig deep to get more information about it. It wasn’t talked about much. But it seemed like everyone knew someone with it,” she said.

Since she was adopted and moved to the United States at age 10, the Newport High School graduate has become a passionate advocate for AIDS education. Now a student at the University of Washington, she was one of a handful of young adults recognized for their AIDS-related work and dedication last month.

The National AIDS Memorial awarded 10 outstanding undergraduate students $50,000 in financial scholarships in November to help them pursue their educational goals and commitment to active roles of public service and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The scholarships honor AIDS activist and reality television pioneer Pedro Zamora, who died in November 1994 from an AIDS-related illness, according to a press release.

“Pedro knew that the key to changing social misconceptions about HIV/AIDS lay in the hands of the youth of America,” said Pedro’s Real World roommates Pam Ling, M.D. and Judd Winick, author/illustrator of the award-winning graphic memoir “Pedro and Me,” said in a statement.

Affman experienced a tremendous culture shock when she moved to the U.S. Getting involved in sports and school clubs was the turning point, she said.

While a student at Newport, Affman became a peer advocate with AIDS Student Peer Educators at Newport (ASPEN). The club — which was founded 23 years ago by Newport teacher Barbara Velategui — sends student advocates out to classrooms across the school district to teach kids about STDs, HIV/AIDS and safe sex practices. Students also fundraise money each year for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

Affman was also one of the students who stepped up to keep the club going when Velategui retired.

Joining ASPEN and sharing her story of how AIDS impacted her family felt like the right thing to do, Affman said. Her ultimate goal is to go abroad and teach the younger generation about the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

“I think something like ASPEN would be very effective in Ethiopia,” she said. “It’s different when a teacher teaches you this stuff than when it’s a peer.”

Affman was excited and humbled to receive the scholarship, which will go towards her college tuition.

“It’s just nice to know that you helped people and people will help you,” she said.