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. ACTSO
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 benefits ACT-SO students receive from the
enrichment and mentorship components include substantial assistance
toward the development of their ACT·S0 projects and valuable toots
to assist them throughout their education.
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 00 the local level then
compete at the National Competition where they receive scholarships
and other rewards provided by national sponsors.
Local program Overview
ACT-SO adult committees should convene during the
months of August & September
·
September:
Local Programs kick off their ACT-SO program.
·
September through March:
local programs conduct mentoring and local enrichment programs in
preparation for the local competitions
·
February I March/ April:
Programs host their local ACT-SO competitions
National Competition
·
March through July:
Students continue their mentorship and enrichment programs to
prepare for the National ACT-SO Competition.
·
July: The
National Competition
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION?
|
THE SCIENCES |
THE HUMANITIES
|
THE PERFORMING ARTS
|
l |
|
Biology/Microbiology
(01) |
Music Composition
(09) |
Dance
(13) |
|
Chemistry/8iochemis:rj
(02) |
Original Essay
(10) |
Dramatics
(14) |
|
|
Computer Science
(03) |
Playwriting
(11) |
Music Inst/Classical
(15) |
|
|
Earth and Space Sciences
(0':) |
Poetry (12) |
Music Inst/Contemp
(16) |
|
|
Engineering
(05) |
|
Music Vocal/Classical
(17) |
|
|
Mathematics (06)
|
|
Music: Vocal/Contemp
(18) |
|
|
Medicine and Health
(07) |
|
Oratory
(19) |
|
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Physics
(08) |
|
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THE VISUAL ARTS
|
I |
BUSINESS |
|
Architecture
(20) |
|
ENTREPRENEURSHIP 25) |
|
Drawings
(21) |
|
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|
Film making/video (22)
|
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|
Painting
(23) |
|
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Photography (24)
|
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Sculpture (25)
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HOW CAN A STUDENT APPLY AND GET
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
Log onto the NAACP website at:
http://www.naacp.org
For participation in the Dayton
ACT-SO Program, please contact one of the following people listed
below.
Linda J.
Bolds-------------------275-3870
Dr. Carl Moyler------------------835-5942
Marlene John son
---------------837-1612
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