(L to R) President of the Board of Aldermen Jack Connolly, Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Superintendent of Schools Anthony Pierantozzi praised Somerville for it’s progressive and prospering community. Governor Patrick arrived at the High School, where he was greeted by Headmaster Anthony Ciccariello.~Photos by Andrew Firestone Andrew Firestone It was a day of revelry and celebration at Somerville High on Monday morning, when in front of an audience including elected officials and students alike, Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Governor Deval Patrick declared "Somerville All America City Day" in Somerville, a culmination of Somerville's winning of the title of 2009 "All-America City" last June. Along with Superintendent of Schools Anthony Pierantozzi and President of the Board of Aldermen Jack Connolly, the officials praised Somerville for it's progressive and prospering community. The sun was shining and it was warm on Monday morning as Governor Patrick arrived at the High School, where he was greeted by Headmaster Anthony Ciccariello and an African Drum Band outside the school. Despite the pomp and circumstance of the governor's arrival, emotional resonance was clearly evident, as one police Sergeant said "this for us, the people of Somerville" and as Superintendent Pierantozzi put it in his opening remarks, "All of our residents have earned this award."

Mayor Curtatone welcomed the governor to the "home of the Highlanders." While describing the process by which Somerville was recognized by the National Civic League, Curtatone again placed the impetus on the citizens of Somerville. "[The Civic League] looked at our residents and saw people engaged in their city. They saw high school students volunteering in their community, families gathering in parks, business owners investing in neighborhoods, residents gathering at festivals, block-parties and farmers markets, young professionals getting involved in city government, people moving to Somerville, and, more importantly, people staying in Somerville."

He then showed a video of his and the Somerville delegation's efforts to get the commendation, culminating in the accepting the award. The humorous tone of the montage, placed to the tune of "Coming to America," sent Governor Patrick into stitches. Afterwards, Curtatone thanked Patrick for his pledge to extend the Green Line into Somerville, and presented him with a Somerville All-America City baseball cap and T-shirt.

After being introduced, Governor Patrick, who was in great spirits throughout the event, then honored the assembled dignitaries, citizens and students for winning the "Nobel Prize" of cities across the country. "You know that as governor, I have to love all of the 351 cities and towns and the commonwealth. But I have to tell you, there is something special, about Somerville," he said, and donned the Somerville baseball cap, much to the delight of the crowd.

"You came together in common purpose, businesses joined hands with youth groups, non-profits teamed up with city government, and mostly ordinary residents partnered with each other to tell the national civic league what makes this community of your and ours so great. And your list was long."

Patrick specifically mentioned the Shape-Up Somerville program, which earned acclaim from First Lady Michelle Obama, Somerville Cares about Prevention and the Healthy Schools Initiative as "proof that challenging economic times are no excuse." "You don't surrender just because times are tough," said Patrick calling the resilience of Somerville an example for all communities across the state. "You lay a foundation for growth and opportunity when better times come."

Finally, Patrick spoke to the students, praising them for their community spirit. "Service is our greatest ally," said Patrick. "It is part of a renaissance of generational responsibility, an ancient idea, that each of us in our time must do what we can to make a better way for the next generation." Afterwards, he was presented with a final gift by the students heads of the Somerville chapter of the Junior Statesman of America, Nikki Lynch and Vikas Verma: a personalized Somerville Highlanders Hockey Jersey.

"It made us really proud," said Lynch. "A lot of people used to call us Scumerville, and it's something where I can say 'we're not Scumerville anymore. We're a greater city.'"