ACT-SO is an acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO is an enrichment program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. Vernon Jarrett, a renowned author and journalist, initiated the idea of an "Olympics of the Mind" that would promote and reward academic achievers the same way sports heroes are honored. The first national ACT-SO competition was held in 1978 in Portland, Oregon.

At the National level, gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded along with cash awards of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 in each category.

What are the categories of competition?

SCIENCES: Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics/Electronics, Physics/Energy

HUMANITIES: Music Composition, Original Essay, Playwriting, Spoken Word

PERFORMING ARTS: Dance, Dramatics, Music Instrumental/Classical, Musical Instrumental/Contemporary, Music Vocal/Classical, Music Vocal/Contemporary, Oratory

VISUAL ARTS: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Film Making/Video

BUSINESS:  Entrepreneurship

How can a student get additional information and join? 

You can send an email to actsoalexandria@hotmail.com or leave a message for Jeanette Lightfoot or Jennifer Lightfoot at (703) 768-8450.