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WHAT IS ACT-SO?

WHAT IS ACT-SO?

ACT-SO is an acronym for Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO is a yearlong enrichment program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. The ACT-SO program centers around the dedication and commitment of community volunteers and business leaders; to serve as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence among African-American students. There are 25 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts.

WHO SPONSORS ACT-SO?

ACT-SO is sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. ACT-SO receives support from schools, community organizations, churches, foundations, private corporations and individuals.

WHO FOUNDED ACT-SO?

Vernon Jarrett, a renowned author and journalist, initiated the idea of a program that would promote and reward academic achievers the same way sports heroes are honored. The first national ACT-SO competition was held in 1978 in Portland Oregon.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?

High school students of African descent, who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories of competition are able to participate.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN ACT-SO?

The ACT-SO program is intended to be a learning experience, first and foremost. The focus of a viable and effective local ACT-SO program is on enrichment and mentorship. Students work with ACT-SO mentors who help them develop projects throughout the year. Local ACT-SO programs also provide ACT-SO students with enrichment opportunities, such as workshops, tutorials, and field trips. The local competition serves to showcase the hard work students have put in all year long. Students receive medals and prizes provided by the local and regional sponsors and contributors. ACT-SO Students who receive gold medals on the local level then compete at the National Competition where they receive scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors.

The ACT-SO goals are:

To mobilize the adult community for the promotion of academic and artistic excellence among African-American youth.
To recognize academic and talent achievement among African-American students.
To provide and assist African-American students with the necessary skill tools to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.

WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION?
SCIENCES	HUMANITIES			PERFORMING ARTS		VISUAL ARTS			BUSINESS
Architecture	Music Composition			Dance		Drawing			Entrepreneurship
Biology		Original Essay			Dramatics			Painting
Chemistry		Playwriting			Music Instrumental/Classical			Photography
Computer Science		Poetry			Music Instrumental/Contemporary			Sculpture
Mathematics			Music Vocal/Classical				Filmmaking
Physics/Electronics					Music Vocal/Contemporary
Physics/Energy					Oratory
Physics/General

Executive Board

NAACP Unit #1119