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, Dramatics, 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