ACT-SO
Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)
Each generation strives to improve the community they will leave to their children, but it is also the youth who can make the greatest impact to their own futures. The NAACP has always engaged youth through Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).
Each branch of the Alaska Oregon Washington State Area Conference has a variety of programs and volunteer opportunities for high school and college students. Below are some of the current opportunities, and more can be found by contact your nearest Branch.
For more information contact our chair:
Carolyn Riley-Payne
What is ACT-SO?
The NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.
ACT-SO relies on community volunteers and business leaders to serve as mentors and coaches in promoting academic and artistic excellence among African-American and Hispanic students. By providing an arena where students strive to excel in the sciences, arts and humanities, ACT-SO equips its participants with the skills to live meaningful lives.
ACT-SO includes 26 categories of competition.
ACT-SO recruits students annually and conducts annual Academic Olympic competitions for students in grades 9th - 12th in NAACP Branches throughout the country. First place local winners then compete with youth from other cities at the National ACT-SO finals held during our National Convention.
To Apply for this year's ACT-SO program download the application below and mail or email to the program closest to you, at the bottom of this page.
Competition Application
Download File
Category Descriptions, Requirements, and Judging Criteria: For more detailed information on each category, click on a file below.
Humanities: Music Composition, Original Essay, Playwriting, Poetry
Sciences: Biology/Microbiology, Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine and Health, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics, Physics
Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture
Performing Arts: Dance, Dramatics, Music Instrumental/Classical, Music Instrumental/Contemporary, Music Vocal/Classical, Music Vocal/Contemporary, Oratory
Business: Entrepreneurship
Alaska:
Anchorage: 907-272-8717 www.facebook.com/ACTSOANCHORAGE/about
Oregon:
Eugene/Springfield: http://www.naacplanecounty.org/programs/act-so
Washington:
Seattle/King County: http://www.seattlekingcountynaacp.org/act-so-program.html
Snohomish: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snohomish-County-Branch-NAACP/202335903149680
Vancouver: https://www.naacpvancouverwa.org/act-so
(Coming soon, and we need help to start these programs)
Spokane: http://spokanenaacp.org/