ACT-SO is an acronym for Afro- Academic, Cultural, Technological and
Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO, the "Olympics of the Mind," is a
nation-wide program sponsored by the NAACP that encourages high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.
The 6-month local program features leadership development sessions,
1-on-1 mentorship, and service activities. The DuPage County ACT-SO program culminates with an academic competition and Awards Banquet in March where students present projects developed under the guidance of mentors. The local gold medalists then compete against winners from other cities at the National ACT-SO finals held during the NAACP's Annual Convention in July.
Who Sponsors ACT-SO?
ACT-SO is a major youth initiative of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation’s
oldest and largest civil rights organization. DuPage County Chapter is sponsored
by the DuPage County NAACP and College of DuPage.
What are the Benefits in Participating in ACT-SO?
The ACT-SO program is intended to be a learning experience,
first and foremost. The focus of a viable and effective local ACT-SO program
is on enrichment and mentorship. Students work with mentors who help them
develop projects throughout the year. Local ACT-SO programs also provide
ACT-SO students with enrichment opportunities, such as workshops, tutorials,
and field trips.
Benefits ACT-SO students receive from the enrichment and mentorship components
include substantial assistance toward the development of their ACT-SO projects
and valuable tools to assist them throughout their education.
The local competition serves to showcase the hard
work students have put in all year long. Students receive medals and prizes
provided by sponsors of and contributors to the local program. ACT-SO Students
who receive gold medals on the local level receive cash awards and are eligible
to compete at the National Competition which is held in a different state
each year.
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