OLD TOWN – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins welcomed Lisa Morin and Chelsea Moeller of Old Town to the nation’s capital recently after Old Town was named one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People.”

The students were in Washington to take part in a celebration recognizing local communities for the innovative and successful work they are doing to help young people succeed. Waterville also was recognized as one of the nation’s 100 best communities for young people.

“I am proud that America’s Promise has recognized not just one, but two, Maine communities as some of the best places for young people,” Collins said.

“The selection panel obviously realizes what all of us who live in Maine already know, that our state is committed to providing healthy, safe and caring environments for young people. I congratulate the communities of Waterville and Old Town for being selected for this recognition.”

America’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth, which was founded by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, sponsored the competition. Hundreds of communities representing 49 states applied for the award.

Old Town received the honor, in part, because of the community’s collaborative programs that benefit children and youth.

Examples of the many ways Old Town supports its young people include pre-kindergarten literacy programs, after-school activities, cultural experience programs, a juvenile delinquency diversion program and the Underage Drinking Task Force.