Fact-SheetWHAT IS ACT-SO? ACT-SO is an acronym for Academic, Cultural, Technological 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.
Vernon Jarrett (1913-2004), 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.
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.
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. ACT-SO TIMELINE
National Competition
* Students may compete in up to three (3) categories. WHEN DOES THE ACT-SO PROGRAM BEGIN? ACT-SO is a year-long enrichment program that begins with mentoring, coaching and teaching. Local competitions usually take place between March and May. Contestants who win gold medals on the local level qualify to attend the National ACT-SO competition, which takes place in early July at the Annual NAACP Convention. HOW CAN A STUDENT APPLY AND GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION? Log onto the NAACP web site click Here Click on your state. There you will find the contact information
for all NAACP branches within your state. Contact the branch closest
to you, and then ask if they have a participating ACT-SO program.
If they do not have a participating ACT-SO program please contact
the National Office. |