First there were 700 applications from all over the United States. Four hundred made the cut. Then 271 finalists were named.

When the 100 winners were announced, Hampton was on the list.

In September, 2005 Hampton was named one of the 100 BEST Communities for Young People by America’s Promise. A prestigious selection panel evaluated 100 Best entries that required detailed information about each community’s efforts to fulfill five essential promises critical to the well-being of young people: caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others.

"In the 100 Best communities, we have witnessed that spirit at work in making the well-being of their children an urgent priority. Their outstanding efforts – to measure how well their children and youth are doing, to put more resources in place, and to form cross-sector partnerships – provide shining examples of what it means to keep America’s Promise for our young people."

-Marguerite W. Sallee, President and CEO of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth