Edina was recognized today as one of the nation’s “100 Best Communities for Young People.”

America’s Promise Alliance (the Alliance), the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to youth and children, announced the City had been named a winner in the annual competition. Its 2010 recognition marks the first win for Edina in the competition.

The “100 Best” designation recognizes those communities that make youth a priority by implementing programs that help keep children in school and prepare them for college and the 21^st century workforce. The competition is open to all communities that make children and youth a priority, including small towns, large cities, counties and school districts. In addition to enhancing local educational opportunities, most winning communities have taken steps to facilitate improved access to health care for its young people, encourage youth civic engagement and supply developmental resources that create better places for young people to live and grow.

According to the Alliance, Edina was named one of the nation’s “100 Best” because of its community-wide commitment to raising healthy young people, fostering youth leadership and cultivating high-achieving students. From families and businesses to faith and medical communities, residents of Edina work together to help support the city’s youth. Young people are also part of this collective effort. Students are invited to develop their leadership skills while serving terms on City of Edina Boards and Commissions where they often participate as full members. Many community organizations also act to give young people a voice by inviting students to join their boards or participate in their steering committees.

Edina and the other winners spanning 37 states will be recognized this morning at a ceremony in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Other Minnesota winners are Landfall, Northfield, North Mankato and St. Louis Park. Each of the winning communities will be formally recognized with a designation on a map of the United State, illustrating the geographic and demographic diversity of the winning 100 communities. In addition to the “100 Best” distinction, Edina and the other top communities will receive two road signs identifying the city as one of “100 Best,” as well as a trophy to be presented to local officials later this year.

The entire 2010 list of 100 Best Communities for Young People and their accomplishments can be found online at www.americaspromise.org/100Best.