ACT-SO 2021 Book Sample05112021 - Flipbook - Page 12
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT
ACT-SO
ACT-SO is an acronym for Academic, Cultural,
Technological Sci ent ific Olympics. ACT-SO is a
yearlong enrichment program designed to recruit, st
imulate, improve and encourage high academic and
cult ural ach ievement among high school st udents.
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. There are 32
competition categories in STEM, hu manities, business, performing arts, visual arts, and culinary arts.
Who Sponsors ACT-SO?
ACT-SO is sponsored by the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which
is the nati on’ s oldest and largest civil rights organi-
12 NAACP DeKalb ACT-SO Awards 2021
12 NAACP DeKalb ACT-SO Awards 2021
zat ion. Local ACT-SO chapters receive support from
schools, community, organizations, ch urches, foundations, private corporations and individuals.
Who Founded ACT-SO?
Vernon Jarrett (1913-2004), a renowned author and
journal ist, initiated the idea of a pro gram that would
promote and reward academic achievers the same way
sports heroes are honored. The first nationa l ACT-SO
competition was held in 1978 in Portlan, Oregon .
Who Is Eligible to Participate?
High school st u dents, who are citizens of the United
States, enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the
categories of competition are able to part icipate .