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Calling All Philadelphia High School Students! Register now for the local competition being held Spring 2026
Recent events
Recent events
ACT-SO showcase, Sunday, June 8, 2025, 5-8 PM, Jacob's Northwest Restaurant, 7152 Ogontz Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
ACT-SO Fish Fry, Saturday, June 28, 2025, 1-4 PM, JULZ, 7719 Crittenden St, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Wadsworth Day, Saturday, June 28, 2025 12-7 PM, Wadsworth Ave between Michener Ave and Cheltenham Ave
High School Students: There is a category for you!
High School Students: There is a category for you!
The 2026 local competition will be held spring 2026, date and location TBD.
Congratulations to all of our 2025 Olympians!
Wishing the class of 2025 well!
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Also follow us on Facebook: Philly Act-So
DO YOU KNOW ACT-SO?
DO YOU KNOW ACT-SO?
ACT-SO stands for Afro Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics. “Olympics of the Mind”
ACT-SO stands for Afro Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics. “Olympics of the Mind”
ACT-SO is a major initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO provides a forum through which youth of African descent can demonstrate academic, artistic, and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes.
ACT-SO is a major initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO provides a forum through which youth of African descent can demonstrate academic, artistic, and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes.
ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that African Americans can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms, and laboratories across this nation and abroad. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize, and reward, youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.
ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that African Americans can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms, and laboratories across this nation and abroad. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare, recognize, and reward, youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.
High School students who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories of competition are eligible to participate. Each year local ACT-SO units across America host local competitions in their respective states. There are over 30 areas of competition in 6 major categories. STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Business, and Culinary. Students compete and receive medals to determine who will represent the local ACT-SO unit during the National Competition. Gold medal winners go on to represent the local units at the national competition. Students who medal at the local competition also receive cash awards and certificates.
High School students who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories of competition are eligible to participate. Each year local ACT-SO units across America host local competitions in their respective states. There are over 30 areas of competition in 6 major categories. STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Business, and Culinary. Students compete and receive medals to determine who will represent the local ACT-SO unit during the National Competition. Gold medal winners go on to represent the local units at the national competition. Students who medal at the local competition also receive cash awards and certificates.
There are many benefits of participating in ACT-SO. ACT-SO is a valuable learning experience for its students first and foremost. A major focus of the ACT-SO program is to provide enrichment and mentorship to the youth it serves. ACT-SO students work with mentors, coaches and professionals who help them develop projects throughout the year in preparation for the local and national competitions. Students who compete at the national competition have opportunities for scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors.
There are many benefits of participating in ACT-SO. ACT-SO is a valuable learning experience for its students first and foremost. A major focus of the ACT-SO program is to provide enrichment and mentorship to the youth it serves. ACT-SO students work with mentors, coaches and professionals who help them develop projects throughout the year in preparation for the local and national competitions. Students who compete at the national competition have opportunities for scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors.
Categories of Competition include: Poetry Written, Poetry Performance, Oratory, Short Story, Original Essay, Music Composition, Playwriting, STEM, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Painting, Photography, Drawing, Sculpture, Music Instrumental, Music Vocal.
Categories of Competition include: Poetry Written, Poetry Performance, Oratory, Short Story, Original Essay, Music Composition, Playwriting, STEM, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Painting, Photography, Drawing, Sculpture, Music Instrumental, Music Vocal.
Register now for the local competition being held: spring 2026.
Register now for the local competition being held: spring 2026.
*You may enter up to 3 categories*
*You may enter up to 3 categories*
Winners of the local competition receive cash awards, certificates and a chance to represent Philly ACT-SO in the National ACT-SO competition in Chicago, Illinois, July 18-22, 2026! All expenses paid! Hotel + Travel + Per Diem
Winners of the local competition receive cash awards, certificates and a chance to represent Philly ACT-SO in the National ACT-SO competition in Chicago, Illinois, July 18-22, 2026! All expenses paid! Hotel + Travel + Per Diem
Click on the virtual ACT-SO
Click on the virtual ACT-SO
Open House Below
Open House Below
Contact Information:
Contact Information:
Follow us on Facebook: Philly Act-So
Follow us on Facebook: Philly Act-So
Philly ACT-SO Chair: Veronica Norris 445-544-3941
Philly ACT-SO Chair: Veronica Norris 445-544-3941
Philly ACT-SO Co-Chair: Brenda Myers 215-840-5297
Represent your state of PA
Represent your state of PA
2019 Gold Medalist Nasir
2019 Gold Medalist Nasir
Detroit 2019
T-Shirt Design by Lauryn
Motown
San Antonio 2018
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