Las Vegas competes for All-America City Awards

Earlier this year, Las Vegas was named one of 20 finalists for the 2016 All-America City Awards by the National Civic League. The annual awards highlight cities that engage residents in innovative and inclusive efforts to tackle critical challenges.

This year, the program focused on cities that have worked to ensure children are healthy and supported to succeed in school and life. The program dates back to 1949 with 10 communities honored annually.

A Las Vegas delegation of 33 people — representing several organizations, and in collaboration with and supported by the City of Las Vegas — traveled to Denver to win a spot as one of the top ten “All-America Cities.”

According to Marcus Mason, principal of Kermit R. Booker Elementary, “There were 20 other cities who actually were considered as finalist and at the end of the presentation program 10 cities were selected and given the honored title as ‘Great All-America City.’ Las Vegas did not win in those categories, but we won the social media award. But, for the first time out, it was still a tremendous opportunity to compete against all those cities.”

Representatives of local organizations were invited to be a part of the Las Vegas delegation based on their contributions to incredible efforts to drive progress in the city.

“We had the opportunity to explain how we received funds from the City of Las Vegas — in my case — for our summer school program,” said Mason. “Also, there was assistance by the city to support the My Brother’s Keeper program. It was a great time and experience.”