YOUTH ACTION

2009 ACT-SO National Competition Participants

Atadena NAACP

ACT-SO

"The Olympics of the Mind"

2009 Awards Celebration 

Talented young people from a wide variety of disciplines were recognized as local winners in the 2009 Altadena NAACP ACT-SO Awards Celebration held Sunday, April 26, 2009 from 2-5 pm at the Altadena Community Center. The celebration draws interest from the local community and surrounding areas, i.e. San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles.  The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a National Youth Initiative of the NAACP. Gold, silver, and bronze medalists were announced during the Altadena NAACP's 12th Anniversary Celebration of ACT-SO. KJLH (102.3 FM) evening radio personality, Roland Bynum, was the Master of Ceremonies for the 2009 Altadena NAACP ACT-SO Awards Celebration.  The success of ACT-SO is due largely to the dedication of the ACT-SO local sponsors, volunteers, mentors, and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence. Through this collaborative effort, participating students develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in school and life. ACT-SO Committee: Wendy Childress and Wilberta Richardson, Co-Chairpersons, Sameha Sudan and Juanita DeVaughn, Co-Chairpersons-Emeritus, Ilene Clingmon, Andrea Mills, Virtrice Nolen and Paula DeVaughn. These individuals volunteer their time and resources to the youth of the community.  Juan Solis and Virtrice Nolen of Wal-Mart Corporation presented a generous donation to the Altadena NAACP ACT-SO Program as part of the company's "Volunteerism Always Pay" program. ACT-SO is a yearlong enrichment Program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and artistic achievement, and cultural awareness - grades 9-12. Gold medalists at the local level qualify for the national finals held each summer in conjunction with the NAACP National Convention in cities throughout the country. Altadena NAACP ACT-SO 2009 Gold medalists by category: Noah Smith - Photography; Quran Rasheed - Instrumental Classical and Instrumental Contemporary; Bronson Manning - Oratory; Adama Ideozu -Dance; and Melissa Myatt - Vocal Contemporary.  For more information and how you may get involved: Please call (626)794-7999, or contact us at P.O. Box 6547, Altadena, CA. 91103.