Help Accomplished High School Students Attend National Compe

Hello, my name is Michael Artson and I am Chair of the Prince William County NAACP ACT-SO Committee. The NAACP ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Scientific & Technological Olympics) is an enrichment program dedicated to high academic achievement. The year-long program culminates in 33 competitions covering STEM, Business, Humanities, Performing, Visual and Culinary Arts.

ACT-SO has been around Nationally since 1978. This is the 3rd year, students from Northern Virginia have competed. For the past two years, the Prince William NAACP unit raised enough money to support this program. However, due to the pandemic fundraising activities, and donations have dropped off substantially. And here is where you, the community at large, comes in. The PW NAACP needs your support. As deadlines for the National competition approach, we find ourselves short of our financial goals. So we now seek from the community at large support to help these youth be the best they can be.

Around the country in April, NAACP units hold local ACT-SO competitions. At the local competition ,students can win the Gold medal (95-100), Silver Medal (89-94) or Bronze Medal (85 -89). Only the Gold Medal winners, with scores between 95-100, are invited to participate in the National competition. In July, right before the NAACP National conference, students from around the country gather for the ACT-SO National competition. Last year in Boston over 500 high school students competed to win scholarships and prizes.

Northern Virginia has some outstanding students who want to showcase their talents and academic prowess on a national stage. Last year we sent three students to the National competition in Boston. Two of the three students won silver medals, one for Biology and one for Culinary Arts. They each won $1,500 cash and an electronic package. This year, four students qualified, but we will be sending three students and adult chaperones to Las Vegas in July 2024. Our students will compete in the Performing Arts and Humanities categories. We need your financial support to make this happen. Please help us raise $9,000 by July 1, 2024, to help cover award money and expenses for sending our gifted students to the National competition in July.