2022 Youth, Social Media, Cultural Entertainment and Civic Action Fair Winners

In addition to celebrating this year’s finalists and announcing the ten winners, the 73rd Annual All-America City Awards also recognized winners of the John Parr Youth Leadership Award, Social Media and Online Outreach Award, and Cultural Entertainment and Civic Action Fair competitions. We were blown away by the inspiring and spirited entries into these supplemental awards.

Thanks to our friends at Southwest Airlines, the official airline of the All-America City Awards for the past 14 years, for helping us celebrate this year’s winners!


John Parr Youth Leadership Award

The John Parr Youth Leadership Award was created to honor a former National Civic League President, John Parr. John was president of the League for ten years, from 1986-1995, during which the League thrived, growing into its Denver headquarters and increasing its focus on civic engagement. This award recognizes extraordinary civic engagement and leadership on the part of a young person in their community.

The 2022 winner is Jannette Castro-Gomez from Metro Omaha, NE. Jannette is a leader in her local chapter of the National Honor Society, serves as an engaged mentor, and was essential in establishing a food and clothing pantry in her community.


Social Media and Online Outreach Award

The Social Media Award is given for the best use of social media and online platforms as a finalist for the 2022 All-America City Award. This award celebrates the community that creatively shared the AAC experience with members of their community and other AAC communities across the country.

The 2022 social media award winner was El Paso, Texas. El Paso went above and beyond with their #AAC2022 social media efforts, including a creative video campaign that engaged residents and community stakeholders, asking them what makes El Paso #ACityThatElevates. Check out some of their social media buzz here!


Cultural Entertainment Showcase

Typically, one evening of the All-America City awards event is dedicated to a cultural entertainment showcase. Finalist communities bring local talent to the AAC main stage in Denver. Acts have featured step teams, high school jazz bands and mariachi bands, dance troops, slam poets, singers and more.

Since going virtual, communities have submitted videos of local artists which are made available on the virtual event platform. Event attendees view the videos and vote on their favorite. This year’s winner was Khalid with the song, SunCity, from the City of El Paso!


Civic Action Fair

The Civic Action Fair gives communities an opportunity to tell their story to fellow finalists and other event attendees. In lieu of an in-person event, each community put together a virtual booth. Booths featured virtual tours of  communities, pictures, videos and descriptions of featured projects, welcome messages from elected officials and more.  Finalists and other attendees voted for their favorite booth, and this year’s winner was Roanoke, Virginia!

Roanoke’s virtual booth gave us a glimpse of the community’s civic spirit. Take a look at Roanoke’s and other finalist’s booths here! 


Congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Your handwork, community spirit and creativity brought this year’s event to life! 

Some Related Posts

View All

Thank You to Our Key Partners