Staying Clean Car Show a blast on Saturday | News, Sports, Jobs

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Brynna Jennewein of Barnesville, a pupil at Union Native Excessive College and member of the Belmont County Staying Clear drug-free membership, exhibits a automobile Saturday on the Belmont County Colleges Staying Clear Automobile, Bike and Truck Present.

By ROBERT A. DEFRANK

Occasions Chief Employees Author

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Staying Clear drug-free membership may have funds to maintain serving to college students keep off medicine, thanks largely to the fundraising efforts of the annual Belmont County Automobile Bike and Truck Staying Clear Present.

The occasion was held Saturday on the Ohio Valley Mall.

Funds raised go to paying for drug testing for membership members, in addition to towards rewards and a year-end picnic. The membership is open to all private and non-private college college students in seventh by twelfth grades in Belmont County.

David Carter, probation officer for the juvenile court docket that runs the membership, mentioned about 200 vehicles had been registered and on show, akin to earlier years.

“It’s a fantastic turnout. We had been somewhat bit nervous concerning the climate this morning, however we went forward with it,” he mentioned. “There’s lots of people right here proper now, so we’re actually blissful about that – lots of children signing up for the membership.”

Carter mentioned to this point the membership has raised $35,083 this yr, not together with funds raised on the automobile present itself.

“We make somewhat bit, however not quite a bit, on the automobile present itself. It’s the fantastic sponsors up thus far that give us the cash,” he mentioned. “We’re undoubtedly going to have the cash to run this system this yr. Perhaps not all the additional, further issues we’ve accomplished in years previous, however we’re undoubtedly going to have sufficient to present the picnic, do the testing days and have a speaker.”

This yr, the visiting speaker will probably be Derek Clark, the “Rapping Dad,” whose presentation focuses on struggles with psychological well being trauma.

Carter mentioned the automobile present has a variety of automobiles.

“We’ve had lots of new, first-time exhibitors right here this yr. I do know there’s in all probability 15-20 children which have vehicles right here which are exhibitors,” Carter mentioned. “We obtained the phrase out somewhat bit higher, so I feel we’ve obtained much more folks to indicate up that didn’t all the time come to the present.”

Jim McCraw, chairman of the Elegant Chassis Automobile Membership that companions with the county to carry the occasion, agreed.

“We’re very proud to be a part of this group,” he mentioned. “We’re actually pleased with the quantity of individuals right here. We couldn’t ask for a greater turnout. It simply retains getting higher and higher yearly.

“We’ve obtained lots of totally different vehicles right here that we haven’t had prior to now. We’ve accomplished some totally different commercial this yr, and it’s labored very well. The youngsters which are within the Staying Clear program membership, their vehicles get to come back in totally free.”

He added the present has seen a rise in reputation through the years.

“It’s actually turning into a great factor,” he mentioned. “If we are able to preserve one child off of medicine, it’s definitely worth the cash.”

Scholar members of the drug-free membership confirmed their vehicles and talked about their experiences with the membership.

Brayden Locke of St. Clairsville, an Eleventh-grader at St. Clairsville Excessive College, was exhibiting his Buick Electra 225 from 1966. He has been a member of the membership since seventh grade.

“I heard about it in school. We had a useful resource officer who talked about it,” he mentioned. “I feel it’s a good suggestion to maintain children clear.”

Locke mentioned folks he is aware of have had dangerous experiences with medicine.

“I’ve by no means tried something. I’ve all the time been clear.”

He recommends the drug-free membership for different college students.

“The membership’s a fantastic factor,” he mentioned.

The automobile present is one other level of pleasure for him. Locke added he has lengthy been a automobile fanatic.

“My grandfather is a automobile man, and he’s taken me to automobile exhibits since I used to be in all probability 2 years previous,” he mentioned. “I’m in love with the previous land yachts. It’s an enormous barge. I like the massive vehicles. I went to the Barnesville Pumpkin Pageant and the automobile was there, beneath a canopy. This man requested me to take the automobile cowl off for him. … He advised me to take a look at the registration. It had my title on it. It was my birthday shock final yr.”

He additionally confirmed a Jeep Wrangler. Locke is saving up for a 1966 Ford Galaxy.

Brynna Jennewein of Barnesville, a senior at Union Native Excessive College, has been a membership member because the seventh grade.

“There’s simply lots of good alternatives and it seems to be good on (a resume). I stayed in it simply because we do lots of enjoyable stuff like area journeys, and it’s a very good group to be in,” she mentioned.

She mentioned she realized concerning the actuality of drug use from her father, sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Jennewein.

“My dad, he’s all the time been within the sheriff’s workplace, simply listening to tales and him speaking about these those who are available in on medicine, what they need to take care of. It’s not one thing I feel anyone ought to do,” she mentioned.

She was exhibiting her 1973 Volkswagen Tremendous Beetle.

“I’ve had it for 3 years,” she mentioned. “My mother, she has a 1969 convertible Volkswagen Beetle, and that was her first automobile when she was youthful, so I used to be considering I ought to have a Volkswagen for my first automobile as nicely, and I’ve all the time been into previous vehicles, too. I just like the seems to be of them. They’re candy.”

Jennewein attends automobile exhibits and appears ahead to including extra Volkswagens to her assortment sooner or later.

“They’re not very quick, however they’re enjoyable to trot round in.”

The occasion goes robust after the departure of a few of its founding members; John McFarland has retired as Martins Ferry police chief, Frank Fregiato has retired as frequent pleas court docket decide, and Cynthia Fregiato has retired as clerk of courts.

Terry Holstein of Morristown, a frequent attendee of the automobile exhibits, mentioned the present is a top quality one. He recalled Fregiato’s work with space colleges and outreach to college students.

“He used to convey his court docket proceedings right down to the varsity auditorium and have a session of court docket in there so all of the juniors and seniors might come and watch. I feel he confirmed a few of these children that basically wanted some steerage what the implications had been in the event that they didn’t behave themselves. Wonderful man.”