Alliance falls short in All-America City bid; Barberton wins honor

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·2 min read

ALLIANCE – The city's bid to be named an All-America City fell short.

While it was not the outcome they wanted, city and community leaders expressed gratitude Thursday for being one of 20 finalists for the coveted awards from the National Civic League.

"We were disappointed," said Mayor Alan Andreani, "but everyone did a great job."

"We learned from successes in other communities that could lead to a positive outcome in an area we have not thought of to implement locally," said Shirene Starn Tapyrik, director of the Alliance for Children & Families, following Thursday's loss in the All-America City competition.
"We learned from successes in other communities that could lead to a positive outcome in an area we have not thought of to implement locally," said Shirene Starn Tapyrik, director of the Alliance for Children & Families, following Thursday's loss in the All-America City competition.

Ten cities — including Barberton — received the designation during an awards show streamed live on Facebook.

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"I felt like everyone who came together put their best foot forward," said Liz Hibbs, director of Early Childhood Education Alliance. "I'm grateful for the work we do and the collaboration we have."

National Civic League and its All-America City logo
National Civic League and its All-America City logo

Barberton gets the nod

About 35 miles away, Barberton officials celebrated after their community was named a winner; the city was a finalist for the second consecutive year.

Since 1949, the National Civic League has awarded more than 500 communities with the prestigious designation; now, in collaboration with The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.

City and community leaders prepare to present their case to the National Civic League on why Alliance should be an 'All-America City' award winner for 2022. Their presentation was streamed live at Alliance High School to a panel of judges from across the country Thursday, July 21, 2022.
City and community leaders prepare to present their case to the National Civic League on why Alliance should be an 'All-America City' award winner for 2022. Their presentation was streamed live at Alliance High School to a panel of judges from across the country Thursday, July 21, 2022.

This year's theme focused on "Housing as a Platform to Promote Early School Success and Equitable Learning Recovery," and each finalist made a presentation to a panel of judges.

The judges said of Barberton: "This community offers a continuum of childhood services. This community is empowering parents. This community is driving with data to support its youngest learners."

An elated Mayor William Judge, during the live show, accepted the designation.

"I would like to thank the All-America City panel for this award. I want to thank the partnerships we have," he said. "We do a lot here in the community to benefit the community, the families and the kids."

Introspective look into Alliance

Hibbs and other Alliance officials made their case Thursday afternoon, showcasing collaborative efforts to help low-income families and their children be ready for kindergarten.

They streamed their presentation from a studio in Alliance High School with city, school and community officials participating in the event.

Alliance was one of 20 finalists for the 2022 All-America City award. They did not win.
Alliance was one of 20 finalists for the 2022 All-America City award. They did not win.

"Losing this competition taught us how valuable our community really is and gained national recognition that may cause us to win in another year," said Shirene Starn-Tapyrik, director of the Alliance for Children & Families.

"Therefore, losing this national competition should be viewed as a credential, not an impediment. We were able to take a moment to do an introspective look at just how civic minded our entire community is."

Hibbs added: "We did everything we could do and there's always next year."

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com

Follow on Twitter @bduerREP

Who won All-America City honors?

Here's the complete list of the 10 award winners:

  • New Haven, Connecticut

  • San Antonio, Texas

  • Portland, Maine

  • Louisville, Kentucky

  • Phoenix, Arizona

  • Barberton, Ohio

  • Sacramento, California

  • Palacios, Texas

  • Los Angeles, California

  • Suncoast Region, Florida

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance, Barberton finalists for All-America City awards