Operation UNITE has selected 11 UNITE Clubs for their outstanding performance during the 2022-23 school year.
Winning schools are:
- Adams Middle School (Floyd County)
- Evarts Elementary/Middle School (Harlan County)
- Harlan Elementary School, grade 4 (Harlan County)
- Hayes Lewis Elementary School, grades 4-8 (Leslie County)
- Hunter Hills Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Laurel County)
- Inez Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Martin County)
- Mullins Elementary, grade 8 (Pike County)
- Phelps Elementary School, grades 4-5 (Pike County)
- Pikeville High School (Pike County)
- Rockcastle County Middle School (Rockcastle County)
- Southern Elementary School, grade 4 (Pulaski County)
To qualify as a “UNITE Club of the Year,” each club had to submit a scrapbook showcasing their monthly activities, service projects, and mentoring activities. Scrapbooks were judged in elementary, middle, and high school categories to determine the regional winners.
Winning clubs are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 in funding for anti-drug activities during the 2023-24 school year.
“Participation in UNITE Clubs increases the students’ protective factors, such as positive role models, high self-esteem, healthy lifestyles, high student achievement, and positive relationships,” said Debbie Trusty, UNITE Education Director.
“Students participate in service projects at school and in the community that are aimed at increasing their awareness of civic responsibility and development of leadership qualities,” Trusty noted. “UNITE Clubs give students an opportunity to practice resistance skills at their school and in their community.”
There were 126 registered UNITE Clubs in 26 counties during the 2022-23 school year. These clubs had 7,317 student members.
UNITE Clubs help youth develop healthy attitudes and behaviors by learning and practicing life skills, enhancing academic performance, connecting peers, adults, communities and learning through service.
Youth are involved in developing and conducting activities designed to help make their schools and communities healthy and substance-free, as well as mentoring younger students.