ACT-SO students stopped for a photo with statue of former Mayor Richard Hatcher

NAACP ACT SO students have lunch with Mayor Prince

Contributed By:The 411 News

High school students in the Gary NAACP chapter’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics program had lunch in city hall with Mayor Jerome Prince on Thursday, July 1.

ACT-SO provides a forum for youth of African descent to demonstrate academic, artistic, and scientific prowess and expertise. This is the 43rd year of ACT-SO competitions.

The local NAACP chapter encourages community members to participate as chairpersons, mentors, sponsors, organizers, competitors, benefactors, and educational partners. The program receives support from schools, local businesses, community organizations, churches, foundations, major corporations, and individuals.

Students select 3 competitions from a total of 32 offerings and work with mentors to develop their projects and performances for the local competition.

Winners from the local competitions compete at the national competition and ceremonies, held every July in conjunction with the NAACP National Convention.

The 2021 Regional Gold Medalists to represent the Gary NAACP ACT-SO Program on a National Level are Lauren Steed - STEM: Health & Medicine; Samuel Coleman - Humanities: Music Composition; Alicia Jones - Performing Arts: Dance Contemporary; Samuel Coleman - Performing Arts: Music Instrumental Classical; and Maia Crowley - Business: Entrepreneurship.

NAACP National ACT-SO Virtual Competitions "IGNITE" is held Wednesday, July 7 through Saturday, July 10. The pre-award ceremony & award ceremony will be Sunday, July 11.


At lunch in Gary City Hall are, l-r, Kellauna Mack (ACT-SO Co-Chair), Laurie Jeana Payne (ACT-SO Chairperson), Jamari Darden, Kendall Jackson, Bryce Carter, Lauren Steed, Jascinth Coleman, Mayor Jerome Prince, Alicia Jones, Maia Crowley, Deverieux Coleman, Maxwell Ross, Dr. Marlon Mitchell and Councilman Cozey Weatherspoon.

Story Posted:07/08/2021