- April 17, 2024
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The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People hopes to make a huge impact on local youth while preparing for the launch of its Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics program Nov. 8, in Flagler County.
ACT-SO is a 30-year, nationwide, student enrichment program culminating in local and national competitions, in which students compete for awards and prizes totaling more than $50,000.
ACT-SO also provides mentors to participating students, helping them develop projects throughout the year in their fields of interest and exposing them to a variety of enrichment opportunities, including workshops, tutorials and field trips, as well as nurturing and encouraging them to perform at the highest potential.
Among the notable ACT-SO alumni are music artist Kanye West, actress Jada Pinkett, movie director John Singleton and comedian Anthony Anderson.
Stephanie Ecklin is the new program chair and also publisher of “Our Voices T.H.R.I.V.E. Teen Magazine,” a publication aiming to provide educational tools and resources for teenagers.
“Through the NAACP’s ACT-SO program I am confident that my vision will coincide with the NAACP’s mission of promoting academic excellence in our youth and creating opportunities for the students to excel in their fields,” Ecklin said.
Linda Sharpe Haywood, Flagler County NAACP president, shares Ecklin’s excitement and looks forward to involvement from the community in order to make the ACT-SO program a success.
Candidates for the ACT-SO program must be in high school and of African-American descent. Participants will compete in academic disciplines including humanities, visual arts, performing arts, sciences, entrepreneurship, original essay, dance, dramatics, oratory, music, architecture, drawing, film making, photography, and sculpture.
Call 675-3774 or email [email protected].
