ACT-SO is an acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and
Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO recruits students annually and conducts annual
Academic Olympic competitions for students in grades 9th - 12th in NAACP
Branches throughout the country. First place local winners then compete
with youth from other cities at the National ACT-SO finals held during our
National Convention.
The successes that students are experiencing through the efforts, of all
who support ACT-SO verifies the educational credo, "All Students Can
Learn!"
In addition to scholarships awarded to national winners, local
participation are often afforded funding assistance for their educational
pursuits, as a direct result of their having participated with the ACT-SO
Program. Concerned and appreciative parents and students have often
expressed that were it not for the assistance, experience and exposure
provided through the NAACP ACT-SO Program, many educational opportunities
might not have been possible.
ACT-SO History
Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist, Vernon Jarrett,
ACT-SO provides a forum through which African-American youth demonstrate
academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining
the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes.
ACT-SO is a yearlong scholastic enrichment program where participants
flex the most important muscle - "the mind." Just as an athlete
trains before a competition, so must the ACT-SO participant with coaches
and mentors in preparing for the local competition.
ACT-SO is not a talent show, but an opportunity for the youth to
showcase their skills and abilities in the sciences, humanities,
performing and visual arts, and business. ACT-SO is where the next
millennium architects, scientists, musicians, poets, dancers, artists and
entrepreneurs are discovered.
Local NAACP chapters hold local programs across the country for
students in grades 9-12 in 25 categories. The gold medal winner on the
local level qualifies to compete with other winners from other cities at
the National Competition, which is held during the NAACP Annual
Convention.
ACT-SO Competition Categories
There are 5 major areas of study with a total of 25 categories:
The Performing Arts:
Dance, Dramatics, Music Instrumental / Classical, Music Instrumental
/ Contemporary, Music Vocal / Classical, Music Vocal / Contemporary,
Oratory.
The Visual Arts:
Drawing, Filmmaking / Video, Painting, Photography, Sculpture
The Sciences:
Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics,
Physics / Electronics, Physics / Energy, Physics / General
The Humanities:
Music Composition, Original Essay, Playwriting, Poetry
Business:
Entrepreneurship
ACT-SO’s Goals
ACT-SO is designed to recruit, stimulate and encourage high
academic and artistic excellence among high school students.
The ACT-SO goals are:
·
To encourage the adult community to take an active
role in the lives of our youth by serving as volunteers,
coaches, mentors and judges.
·
To recognize academic achievement among youth on
par with the recognition awarded athletes.
·
To provide and assist students with the necessary
skills and tools to establish goals and acquire the confidence
and training to make a successful contribution to society.
ACT-SO recognizes that while gold, silver and bronze medals are
effective incentives to excellence, awards are not the primary goal.
We sincerely believe that a scholar has a right to be a hero.