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. Futher Details WHO IS ELIGIBLE 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 NYC ACT-SO program to qualify for the National ACT-SO competition. Further Details WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN ACT-SO? ACT-SO, above all, is a learning experience, in which scholarships and prizes are awarded. At the NYC ACT-SO local level, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded along with cash scholarships of $500, $300 and $200 in each category, in addition to many other awards, scholarships and prizes while in the national competition, finalists get medals and receive cash scholarships of $1,000, $750 and $500. ACT-SO helps students to develop new skills and enhance their ability with each ACT-SO pursuit. WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION? SCIENCES Architecture Biology Chemistry Computer Science Mathematics Filmmaking/Video Physics/Electronics Physics/Energy Physics/General HUMANITIES Music Composition Original Essay Playwriting Poetry Business/Entrepreneurship VISUAL ARTS Drawing Painting Photography Sculpture Filmmaking/Video PERFORMING ARTS Drama Instrumental Dance Dramatics Oratory * Students may compete in up to three (3) categories. WHEN DOES THE ACT-SO PROGRAM BEGIN? ACT-SO is a year-long program 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 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 headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. For information call 410-358-8900. For NYC ACT-SO contact Christine Chang, 270 West 96th Street, New York, New York 10025, or call 212-666-9348. Copyright 2002 NYCD ACT-SO |
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What is ACT-SO? ACT-SO is 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 committment 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. WHAT IS ACT-SO HISTORY? Further Details WHAT IS THE GOALS OF ACT-SO? Further Details WHO SPONSORS? ACT-SO is sponsored by the National Assocation for 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. Further Details |
What is ACT-SO? ACT-SO is 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 committment 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. WHAT IS ACT-SO HISTORY? Further Details WHAT IS THE GOALS OF ACT-SO? Further Details WHO SPONSORS? ACT-SO is sponsored by the National Assocation for 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. Further Details |
Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological & Scientific Olympics A Program for High School Students of African Descent |
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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. Futher Details WHO IS ELIGIBLE 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 NYC ACT-SO program to qualify for the National ACT-SO competition. Further Details WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION IN ACT-SO? ACT-SO, above all, is a learning experience, in which scholarships and prizes are awarded. At the NYC ACT-SO local level, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded along with cash scholarships of $500, $300 and $200 in each category, in addition to many other awards, scholarships and prizes while in the national competition, finalists get medals and receive cash scholarships of $1,000, $750 and $500. ACT-SO helps students to develop new skills and enhance their ability with each ACT-SO pursuit. WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION? SCIENCES Architecture Biology Chemistry Computer Science Mathematics Filmmaking/Video Physics/Electronics Physics/Energy Physics/General HUMANITIES Music Composition Original Essay Playwriting Poetry Business/Entrepreneurship VISUAL ARTS Drawing Painting Photography Sculpture Filmmaking/Video PERFORMING ARTS Drama Instrumental Dance Dramatics Oratory * Students may compete in up to three (3) categories. WHEN DOES THE ACT-SO PROGRAM BEGIN? ACT-SO is a year-long program 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 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 headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. For information call 410-358-8900. For NYC ACT-SO contact Christine Chang, 270 West 96th Street, New York, New York 10025, or call 212-666-9348. Copyright 2002 NYCD ACT-SO |
