Surry County achieved national recognition as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING for its initiatives to help young people. The competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth.

Graduating 90 percent of Surry County High School’s student body, Surry County is dedicated to preparing students both inside and outside the classroom.   Since 2007, the Surry County Office on Youth’s Precious Jewels program has given more than 60 middle school girls the chance to learn social graces from mentors who have included the ladies of the Phi Chi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Similarly, the Surry Cooperative Extension Agency has the “Beyond the High School Years” program that teaches young people skills ranging from table and phone etiquette to completing job applications and writing thank you notes in an effort to prepare them for their post-academic future.  In a unanimous vote, Surry County Board of Supervisors implemented a rigorous curriculum to unite members of the county under one shared vision, allowing for a focused and nurturing environment for children. This is Surry County's second 100 Best win. 

 “It is an honor to have been chosen for the second consecutive year as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People.  This award is made possible because Surry County has a cohesive and supportive community who works tirelessly together to achieve our common goal,” said Rita Holmes, Principal of Surry County High School.    

 “In a nation where 7,000 students drop out of high school every day, we hope Surry County’s initiatives inspire other communities across the nation to take action to solve the challenges facing their young people,” said Marguerite W. Kondracke, America’s Promise Alliance president and CEO.  “Surry County is especially deserving of this recognition due to their efforts to ensure that their young people graduate from high school and go on to lead healthy, productive lives.  Surry County refuses to let the challenges they face determine the future for their young people.  Instead, they are helping their youth prosper and become contributing members of society.”     Surry County Administrator, Tyrone Franklin said, “this recognition is a testament to the dedication and commitment that Surry County staff, school system, and citizens have for their continued investment in our most precious resource – Our Youth”.

At noon EST on Oct. 12, 2011, Kondracke will join America’s Promise Alliance Chair Alma Powell and ING Foundation President Rhonda Mims at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to officially announce the 100 winning communities in a live webcast.  The webcast page can be accessed at www.americaspromise.org/100bestwebcast or via the 100 Best main page.

Surry County Public School’s Board Chair, Harold Jones stated, “the Surry school system offers the most diversity in course selection that allows students to explore various areas of potential knowledge which allows them to become competitive and productive citizens.”  The learning environment is a safe arena that fosters academic excellence. “The issues surrounding youth education and success are of vital importance to ING,” said Mims. “Our ongoing support for 100 Best underscores our commitment to the cause and the value we place on recognizing communities that produce measurable results for youth. 

Surry County will receive a $2,500 grant, signage identifying the community as one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People, and access to America’s Promise Alliance’s community development resources.  The community is planning to host a special celebration in November in conjunction with the Surry County Public School System.  Funds will be used to support youth serving groups in current and future youth activities which focus on the Five Promises.

First held in 2005, the 100 Best competition is one of the Alliance’s signature initiatives and is part of its Grad Nation campaign, which is a 10-year initiative to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21^st century workforce.  The 100 Best honors communities large and small, rural and urban, that are making progress to help young people achieve their potential, which includes earning a high school diploma, securing a good job, and playing an active, productive role in America’s economic vitality.

All communities entering the 100 Best competition completed a rigorous application where they provided details on how their existing programs and initiatives help deliver the Five Promises—resources identified by the Alliance as being critical to the development of healthy, successful children: caring adults; safe places; healthy start; effective education; and opportunities to help others. Applicants were also asked to describe how different sectors of their community work together to help children and families overcome challenges. Most importantly, communities were judged on the strength and innovation of their efforts and programs to help young people graduate from high school prepared for college and the 21^st century workforce.

This year, more than 300 communities from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were nominated for the 100 Best distinction.  Winners were chosen by a distinguished panel of 20 judges that included: Marc Morial, president and CEO, National Urban League, Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Michelle Shearer, Chemistry Teacher, Urbana High School, 2011 National Teacher of the Year.

The winners are a diverse group, ranging from small communities to large cities. A list of all 2011 winners can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100best.

 Being a 100 Best community not only demonstrates commitment to local young people; the award fosters local pride, bolsters economic development and shines the spotlight on the people and programs that are building better communities. The competition also facilitates the sharing of best practices among communities nationwide regarding education, access to health care, reading score improvement, youth service and pre-school enrollment, among many other areas.

About America’s Promise Alliance
America’s Promise Alliance is the nation’s largest partnership organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth by raising awareness, supporting communities, and engaging in nonpartisan advocacy. Through our Grad Nation campaign, we harness the collective power of our partner network to mobilize Americans to end the high school dropout crisis and prepare young people for college and the 21^st century workforce.  Building on the legacy of our Founding Chairman General Colin Powell, the Alliance believes the success of our young people is grounded in the Five Promises—caring adults; safe places; a healthy start; an effective education; and opportunities to help others.  For more information about America’s Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

In the U.S., the ING (NYSE: ING) family of companies offers a comprehensive array of financial services to retail and institutional clients, which includes life insurance, retirement plans, mutual funds, managed accounts, alternative investments, direct banking, institutional investment management, annuities, employee benefits, and financial planning. ING holds top-tier rankings in key U.S. markets and serves nearly 30 million customers across the nation.

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