Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (MICH)-There are many talented students in the Kalamazoo area and the Kalamazoo Metropolitan Branch of the NAACP wants to find them. Students in grades 9-12 in Kalamazoo County are being sought to showcase their talents in the 2011 ACT-SO competition. An orientation for students and their parents will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Douglass Community Center.
ACT-SO is a more than 25 year old competition geared toward students of color who display their talents in their local communities. Those who win gold medals locally qualify to compete nationally for $2,000 cash, a laptop computer and trip to Los Angeles, Calif. The competition includes dozens of diverse talent options from mathematics and computer science to drama and dance.
The competition was founded in 1978 by the late Vernon Jarrett, a journalist who wanted to create an outlet for African American students to compete in areas other than sports and receive similar accolades. Today the ACT-SO competition has allowed dozens of local students to opportunity to receive mentorship with their talent from area leaders in those fields.
Many former ACT-SO students currently excel in their talent and continue to pursue their dreams with the support of the community.
For more information on now to participate in the competition, attend the orientation or call, 269-343-4105, or visit www.actsokazoo.org.
