ACT-SO FACT SHEET
WHAT IS ACT-SO?
ACT -SO is an acronym for Afro-Academic,
Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. ACT -SO is a year long
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 24
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), 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 an "Olympics of the Mind" 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 ELIGILE TO PARTICIPATE?
African-American high school students who are
citizens of the United States, enrolled in grades 9 through 12 and are amateurs
in the categories of competition. Students must compete in a local ACT -SO
program to qualify for the National ACT -SO competition.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF
PARTICIP A TING IN ACT -SO?
ACT -SO, above all, is a learning experience, in
which scholarships and prizes are awarded. At the national level, gold, silver
and bronze medals are awarded along with cash scholarships of $I,OOO, $750 and
$500 in each category, in addition to many other awards, scholarships and
prizes. Local winners are awarded certificates and other many other prizes.
Participants develop new skills and enhance their ability with each ACT -SO pursuit.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION?
Architecture Music Composition Drawing Biology Original Essay Dramatics Painting Chemistry Playwriting Music Instrumental / Classical Photography Computer Science Poetry Music Instrumental / Contemporary Sculpture Music Vocal / Classical Filmmaking / Video Physics / Electronics Music Vocal / Contemporary Physics / Energy Oratory Physics / General *Students may compete in up to.three (3)
categories. WHEN DOES THE ACT-SO PROGRAM BEGIN? ACT -So is a year-long 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? Contact your local NAACP Branch office for
information regarding applications for the program. If your Branch does not
have an operating ACT .SO program contact the National ACT -SO Director, Rhonda
K. Wilson 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215, or visit our website
at www .naacp.org, for the program closest to you.
Dance
Mathematics