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“We are: Davie County. We are: All American.”

Ken Gamble led the cheer as the Davie delegation got off the bus on Monday afternoon after being named an All-America City by the National Civic League after a weekend in Denver, Colo.

“Winning the All-America Award was truly a team effort across Davie County that included our community organizations, businesses, elected boards and government, and our residents – especially our youth,” said Davie County Manager Brian Barnett. “We have and will continue to achieve great things when we work together, because “We are, Davie County.”

In keeping with the award’s focus on youth, 12 student representatives from Ignite Davie College Promise, SURF Board Student Grantmakers, Davie High’s Career and Technical Education Program (CTE), and the Davie Respect Initiative were instrumental in planning and presenting Davie’s program.

With the support of their program leaders, county and municipal representatives, and community leaders, the students gave a 10-minute presentation about the impact these programs are having on the youth of Davie County, followed by a Q&A from the judges.

“The All-America City Conference has been an excellent experience for me as I was able to share our small-town ideas within the big city of Denver,” said rising senior Macey Smith, who represented Davie Hig’s CTE program. “Traveling to Denver has allowed me to meet new individuals from all over the country while still fellowshipping with individuals from our local community. This experience is something I will never forget and is something I am extremely grateful to have been invited to. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.”

Gamble, Mocksville’s town manager, expressed the delegation’s appreciation for the support from the community.

“We would not have been able to send a delegation to Denver without the full support of our community. This included countless hours of volunteer time given by the delegation and the All-America Project Team.

“The trip was funded with donations by businesses and individuals, including Trailers of the East Coast, Special Event Services, UTA Sports, Glast Graphics, Penry-Terry–Mitchell Law Firm, and several anonymous benefactors.

“Community organizations, including the Davie County Economic Development Commission, Davie Community Foundation, and Davie County Chamber of Commerce, also provided financial support. Other donations were made by Davie Respect Initiative, Ignite Davie, SURF Board Grantmakers, and DHS Career & Technical Education Program.

“Last but not least, both financial and staff resources were provided through our local governments and elected boards, including Davie County, Towns of Bermuda Run, Cooleemee and Mocksville, and Davie County Schools.”

Davie High’s career development coordinator, Alyse Wooldridge, summed up the experience.

“What a journey this has been. From a conversation with Ken Gamble during a Leadership Davie event about applying for AAC to finding out we were a finalist, to the actual competition. It’s been an amazing experience.

“I am so proud of the students and programs that represented Davie County. I’m even more proud to be born and raised in an All-America County because we are, Davie County.

Watch Davie’s presentation beginning at timestamp 1:08 at https://www.facebook.com/AllAmericaCityAwards?mibextid=LQQJ4d.

More to come on the “All-America” experience from the perspective of the delegation in the June 22 edition of the Davie County Enterprise.

The delegation and a National Civic League representative will celebrate the award with Davie County on July 1 at 7 p.m. at Davie County Community Park as part of the 4th of July festivities.