Journalist and activist Vernon Jarrett believed that competition helped extricate minority youth from a “smothering climate” of low expectations and poor scholastic achievement. In 1978 he founded ACT-SO; an Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics sponsored by the NAACP. ACT-SO competitions were designed to give young African American scholars the acclaim usually bestowed upon Olympic superstars. Hence, students are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. The Olympics of the Mind celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. ACT-SO has hosted over 260,000 participants, and exceeded 700 gold medalists whom collectively have been given well over $300,000 in scholarships, lap tops and more.
Usually, the NAACP chapter of a county has an ACT-SO branch. This 2009-2010 school year marks the beginning of the Alachua County ACT-SO branch. Under the direction of Alachua County NAACP president Dr. Michael Bowie, and ACT-SO Chairperson Rahkiah Brown, the Alachua county ACT-SO branch is well on its way to hosting it's first Alachua County ACT-SO local competition!
Not only is ACT-SO a wonderful opportunity for high school students, but University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College students have the opportunity to become ACT-SO mentors. Mentors will have one on one coaching with a competing ACT-SO student. For example, a UF student experienced in classical vocals will be matched with a vocal/classical competitor.
Those students who win the gold medal in their competition at the local competition will move on to compete in the national competition taking place in Kansas City, Missouri in July 2010! Mentors will have the unique experience of being an Olympic coach; for the olympics of the mind that is.. ; )
Volunteer positions are also available for UF and Santa Fe students. Volunteers will help with promotion of ACT-SO at county high school,aid in the production of community ACT-SO events, recruiting sponsors, organizing the local competition and other ACT-SO related ventures. Being involved in ACT-SO is a perfect resume builder and also a great long term extra curricular project!
The ACT-SO timeline for the 2009-2010 year is as follows
September-April: ACT-SO promotion and mentoring
April: Local competition
April-July: Mentoring and ACT-SO enrichment events
July: National Competition Kansas City Missouri!
For a complete list of ACT-SO competition categories or to learn how you can get involved email Rahkiah at the email address provided!
