NAACP honors ACT-SO achievers

Talented young people from a wide variety of disciplines were recognized as local winners in the 2010 Altadena NAACP ACT-SO Awards Celebration held Sun., April 25, at the Altadena Community Center.  The celebration draws interest from the local community and surrounding areas, i.e. San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles.

Pictured: left to right rear: Barbara Bigby, Noah Smith, Aria Dean, Christine Jackson, Bronson Manning, Daja Shamburger, Alana Peck, Sarah Oberholtzer, Wilberta Richardson, ACT-SO Chair, Melvina, Khalfani, NeyatYohannes, Lulu Yohannes, Quran Shaheed.

The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a National Youth Initiative of the NAACP.  Gold, silver, and bronze medalist were awarded during the Altadena NAACP's 13th Anniversary Celebration of ACT-SO.  KJLH (102.3 FM) evening radio personality Roland Bynum was the Master of Ceremonies. 

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.

Wilberta Richardson, Chairperson and the ACT-SO Committee comprised of Juanita DeVaughn, Sameha Sudan, Ilene Clingmon, Paula DeVaughn, Andrea Mills, Debra Johnson and Vitrice Nolen volunteer their time and resources to the youth of the community.

Vitrice Nolen of Wal-Mart Corporation  was responsible for presenting 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 for student in grades 9-12. Receiving a gold medal at the local level, qualify the participant to compete in  the national finals held each summer in conjunction with the NAACP National Convention in cities throughout the country.

Altadena NAACP ACT-SO 2010 Gold medalists by category are: Noah Smith - Photography; Quran Shaheed -Instrumental Classical;  William Hardy- Instrumental Contemporary; Bronson Manning (2)-Oratory and Original Essay; Aria Dean -Drawing; Christine Jackson -Painting.

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.