By Joseph A. Curtatone (The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.) In the last year, Somerville has hosted a number of Gubernatorial and Senatorial events, celebrating some of the City's important projects ranging from the redevelopment of Assembly Square, to the Green Line Extension Project, to a Community Meeting on Healthcare Reform, among others.

This week, Governor Patrick returned to our great City to officially commemorate our 2009 All America City Award. During his visit, and the corresponding "rally" at Somerville High School, the Governor proclaimed Monday, March 8, 2010 "Somerville All America City Day," honoring the City of Somerville and our outstanding community members and partners for their dedication to the City, and to our bright and sustainable future. And, although our City is often recognized for innovative programs, exciting development projects and best practices, our most recent All America City victory – Somerville's last and only other AAC award came in 1972 under Mayor S. Lester Ralph – is by far one of the most exciting and important awards bestowed upon the City of Somerville and its residents.

Started in 1949 by the National Civic League (www.ncl.org), the All America City Award is the nation's oldest and most prestigious award celebrating civic engagement, something that we here in Somerville are extremely proud of, and familiar with. This award recognizes our long history of civic pride, community spirit, and effective communication and collaboration. Whether it's Somerville's youth rallying their peers and community leaders for peace and equality; our high school students working with local businesses to combat substance abuse; or all segments of our community working together to bring the Green Line to Somerville to improve our quality of life, our small yet vibrant City always leads the way, particularly when it comes to showing our Somerville Pride and community spirit.

This week, Governor Patrick acknowledged that sense of civic engagement, both by issuing an "All America City Day" proclamation, as well as by recognizing the work of our students and school staff which, particularly of late, has further enforced that, as the SHS school song notes, Somerville Leads the Way.

As the Master of Ceremonies during Monday's event, Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi referenced the fact that Somerville High School was listed among the 40 top-performing high schools in the State in 2009 by US News & World Report. Also in 2009, four of our elementary schools were presented awards by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in their "Healthier US Schools Challenge." We remain the only district in the Commonwealth to have achieved gold, silver and bronze designations.

Add those achievements to our regionally- and nationally-acclaimed athletic teams – and there are several – and it's no secret that the future of Somerville lies in great hands with our bright and talented students.

Governor Patrick was fortunate enough to experience some of that talent at this week's rally. In true Somerville fashion, our students rose to the challenge and expressed their pride and community spirit with performances by SHS Sophomore Emma Youte, the SHS Band and World Percussion Band, and the SHS Cheerleading Squads, as well as a presentation by members of the SHS Chapter of the Junior Statesmen of America, Nikki Lynch and Vikas Verma.

Thank you to Superintendent Pierantozzi, Headmaster Tony Ciccariello, the SHS staff and all members of the student body for helping to create a truly memorable event. Our schools are one small, but significant factor in our All America City status and, as this City continues to grow and change in a positive direction, I look forward to the ideas and contributions of these talented young adults.

Somerville has a strong, historic, and proud past, and an even greater future. I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished, and look forward to continuing to work with and for this community in the years to come.

Somerville Rocks!!