ACT-SO Competition

The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics
(ACT-SO) is a major youth initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist, Vernon Jarrett,
ACT-SO provides a forum through which African-American youth demonstrate academic, artistic and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes. ACT-SO is a yearlong scholastic enrichment program where participants flex the most important muscle - "the mind." Just as an athlete trains before a competition, so must the ACT-SO participant with coaches and mentors in preparing for the local competition. ACT-SO is not a talent show, but an opportunity for the youth to showcase their skills and abilities in the sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts, and business. ACT-SO is where the next millennium architects, scientists, musicians, poets, dancers, artists and entrepreneurs are discovered.

Local NAACP chapters hold local programs across the country for
students in grades 9-12 in 25 categories. The gold medal winner on the local level qualifies to compete with other winners from other cities at the National Competition, which is held during the NAACP Annual Convention.
 

There are 5 major areas of study with a total of 25 categories:

The Performing Arts:
Dance, Drama, Music Instrumental / Classical, Music Instrumental /
Contemporary, Music Vocal / Classical, Music Vocal / Contemporary, Oratory.

The Visual Arts:
Drawing, Filmmaking / Video, Painting, Photography, Sculpture

The Sciences:
Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics / Electronics, Physics / Energy, Physics / General

The Humanities:
Music Composition, Original Essay, Playwriting, Poetry

Business:
Entrepreneurship

ACT-SO is designed to recruit, stimulate and encourage high academic and artistic excellence among high school students.

The ACT-SO goals are:

• To encourage the adult community to take an active role in the lives of our youth by serving as volunteers, coaches, mentors and judges.

• To recognize academic achievement among youth on par with the recognition awarded athletes.

•  To provide and assist students with the necessary skills and tools to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.

ACT-SO recognizes that while gold, silver and bronze medals are effective incentives to excellence, awards are not the primary goal.
We sincerely believe that a scholar has a right to be a hero.