Local Black Students Compete for Gold at the NAACP's Version of the Academic Olympics
by Susan Fried
Despite a band of dedicated volunteers attempting to get the word out, not too many people know about the NAACP's ACT-SO program. TheAfro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, first began in Seattle in 1979 a year after it was first started at the Chicago NAACP branch by renowned journalist Vernon Jarrett.
Jarrett believed success in academics and the arts should be awarded in the same manner as athletic accomplishment.
Currently, there are over 30 disciplines in science, math, the humanities, visual arts and business that high school students can compete in, with the gold medalist receiving the opportunity to travel to the NAACP National Convention and compete against 800-900 students from more than 200 NAACP branches across the country.
Along with the gold medalists, a few silver and bronze winners will also be selected as "observers" by the judges to travel to the convention. Observers get an opportunity to see what skills are required to compete at the national level.
Manjit Golden, a photography judge at this year's final described her experiences; "I loved doing ACT-SO as a kid! It was an amazing opportunity for me to travel all over the country and network with other students of color who were academics and scholars such as myself. I made a ton of amazing friends from all over the country and the world and had so many doors opened to me, such as an opportunity to study at one of the best art schools in the country and compete in other national competitions. I came back as a judge two years ago pretty much becauseMs. Payne asked me to do so and we all know that when Ms. Payne asks you to do something, you do it!
But in all seriousness, I really did feel like I needed to pay my dues. I was given all expenses paid trips all over the country for three years where we were staying in 4 and 5 star hotels and I truly felt like sacrificing a couple Saturdays a year was the absolute least I can do. I love seeing young African-American students who aren't afraid to show off their knowledge and their talents and I am willing and wanting tosupport the growth of our community in any way possible."
Organizers are hoping attendees will help make it possible for these talented young people to represent Seattle's ACT-SO program at the NAACP National Convention in Baltimore. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.
Featured Photo Susan Fried
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