PRESTONSBURG – Sheldon Clark High School has been named the 2009 UNITE High School Club of the Year for the Big Sandy region.

The UNITE Excellence Award was presented during the last of three regional Operation UNITE “Piercing the Darkness of Drugs” Youth Summits held Thursday, Sept. 17, in Prestonsburg.

Sheldon Clark High was one of the 34 original UNITE Clubs created during the 2005-06 school year.

The club, sponsored by Ronnie Evans in conjunction with Links/Youth Service Center coordinator Terrie Simpkins, combines the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club with UNITE’s anti-drug initiative.

During Red Ribbon Week the club solicited community involvement for its many activities. The week culminated with a masquerade ball for students and staff. One of the chaperones was Martin County Sheriff Garmon Preece.

Club members promoted their anti-drug efforts during the FCA state convention in Montgomery County. At Christmas, the club sponsored a needy family in the community by providing gifts and a food basket.

To culminate their year the club held a lock-in featuring testimonies from those who were once afflicted by addiction and included skits performed by local churches on the dangers of drug use.