Rian Morgan, local ACT-SO winner going to Nationals this ​summer!

Congratulations to Rian Morgan on winning the gold in Music Instrumental/Classical in the virtual Seattle King County ACT-SO 2021 competition. Her instrument was the bassoon, and her competition piece was Premier Solo by Eugene Bourdeau.  

Rian is a junior at Mt. Rainier high school and plays in the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. Rian has also played with the Orchestra of Flight, Washington All-State bands, and Mt. Rainier High School Wind Ensemble.

The National ACT-SO competition will be taking place July 6th - July 10th.

WHAT IS ACT-SO?

It's the NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO), a year-long achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among ​African-American high school students. 

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ACT-SO relies on community volunteers and business leaders to serve as mentors and coaches in promoting academic and artistic excellence among African-American and Hispanic students. By providing an arena where students strive to excel in the sciences, arts and humanities, ACT-SO equips its participants with the skills to live meaningful lives.

ACT-SO is Community from National ACT-SO on Vimeo.

ACT-SO recruits students annually and conducts annual Academic Olympic competitions for students in grades 9th - 12th in NAACP Branches throughout the country. ​First place local winners then compete with youth from other cities at the National ACT-SO finals held during our National Convention.

ACT-SO inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills. From performing and culinary arts to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), students can demonstrate their talents in up to three competition areas. Click here to explore the 32 competitive fields. 

​Eligibility

​- Be of African American Descent.
- Be enrolled in grades 9-12.
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- An amateur (having not recieved wages for professional services) in the categories of competition.​

competition categories

​Our program is volunteer operated and fully funded through community donations. In addition to programmatic expenses, our youth rely on donations to help fund their ​trip to the National Competition. ​

Donate to NAACP ACT-SO!

•     $1,200 fully funds one student trip
•     $600 funds one student plane ticket
•     $295 funds 10 medals
•     $200 funds one workshop
•     $160 funds one night hotel stay
•     $150 funds materials needed by the students
•     $75 funds an accompanist
•     $40 funds 1 person per night in the hotel (Students are 4 per room)
•     $25 covers meal expenses for one student for one day

*​Applications are closed for 2021.
Check back for 2022!

stem

the performing arts

humanities

the visual arts

business

culinary

Donate to the ACT-SO scholarship fund to help support our young talented students as they work to compete locally and nationally at ACT-SO each year.​
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Donate to NAACP ACT-SO

Seattle King County National Medal Winners: ​
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​2021 - Rian Morgan - Music Instrumental/Classical - Gold (local)
2020 - Rachel Joshua - Music Instrumental/Classical - Gold (local)
2019 - Sydney Coleman - Musical Vocal Contemporary - Silver
2019- Jaydon T. Beleford - Musical Vocal Classical - Bronze
2018- Jaydon T. Beleford, Music Vocal Contemporary- Silver
2016- Favor Orji, Computer Science- Bronze
2014- Ericka Pegues, Medicine & Health- Gold                  
- India Mitchell, Music Vocal Contemporary- Music Vocal Classical

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​For questions on the ACT-SO program, please contact the NAACP ACT-SO Chair, Monica T. Lewis, at:

 ​act-so@seattlekingcountynaacp.org