Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). From visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts, participants work with community-based volunteers for a year to develop projects and performances. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.
ACT-SO inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills. From performing and culinary arts to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), students can demonstrate their talents in up to three competition areas. Explore the 32 competitive fields.
The Pennsylvania State Conference currently has ACT-SO Programs in the Coraopolis Branch – Carter Spruill, Chairperson, Greater Harrisburg Area Branch – Kaaba Brunson, Chairperson and Philadelphia Branch – Vee Norris, Chairperson.
Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education
Pursuant to the NAACP ACT-SO/ PBCOHE Work Alliance, the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Black Conference supports the Statewide NAACP ACT-SO Programs by making judges available to judge in each local competition.
If your branch is interested in starting an ACT-SO Program contact Kaaba Brunson, State ACT-SO Chair at 717-645-4873 or kaabanjie@verizon.net.
You can also see more information at https://naacp.org/our-work/youth-programs/act-so- achievement-program
Local ACT-SO Competitions – April 2023
Coraopolis ACT-SO Program
Greater Harrisburg Area ACT-SO Program
Philadelphia ACT-SO Program
The competition was held on April 22. There were eight gold medals awarded. To six students for Instrumental Classical, Instrumental Contemporary, Business Entrepreneurship*, Poetry Written*, Filmmaking, Poetry Performance, Dramatics*, Dance Contemporary* *2 Students – Double-Gold. Each gold medalist will represent their respective Branches and Pennsylvania at the National ACT-SO Competition. With each Branch sending quality candidates in each subject area, we are hopeful that Pennsylvania can again, bring home medals from the National ACT-SO Competition.
National ACT-SO Competitions – July 2023
Post Competition Workshop Activities
Mia Clemmons of the Coraopolis ACT-SO Program won the Silver Medal for Poetry Performance.
Morgan Marino of the Greater Harrisburg ACT-SO Program won the Silver Medal for Biology/Microbiology.
What is most encouraging, is the fact that both Mia and Morgan are underclassmen and will be eligible to participate in ACT-SO again
next year!
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