NAACP DeKalb to send 9 youths to ACT-SO national competition

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County branch announced 27 medalists for the local Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition. Nine of these students will advance to the national competition on July 14-17, in Atlantic City, NJ.

The judges for the competition awarded 9 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals, and 11 Bronze medals. The local competition was hosted virtually April 30 and May 1 and consisted of more than 40 students from DeKalb and other counties.

ACT-SO is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic achievement among black high school students. The NAACP DeKalb ACT-SO Committee develops mechanisms to encourage and inspire youth toward excellence in academics, cultural pursuits, and opportunities through community support in this annual high school competition.

NAACP DeKalb President Lance Hammonds commended the youths who participated in the competition.

“I am so proud of our youth. They really worked hard and were committed to this program, their mentors, and to their individual successes which is evident by these medals,” said Hammonds.

ACT-SO Chair Freda Hammonds attributes the success of the program to Co-Chair Beretta Smith-Shomade and all the talented mentors who gave their time, expertise, and guidance.

“Our students are also committed, driven, and talented. They are the reason ACT-SO is so effective,” said Dr. Freda Hammonds.

To support NAACP DeKalb and ACT-SO students, donate at www.naacpDeKalb.org. For more information on competing in the 2022-2023 ACT-SO contest contact Freda Hammonds, ACT-SO Chair, at info@naacpdekalb.org.

The 2022 NAACP DeKalb County Branch ACT-SO Gold medalists:

Xavier Doyle – Dramatics

Josiah O’Connor –Music Instrumental Classical

Dayna Boyer – Painting

Salmoncain Smith-Shomade – Poetry Written

Zayla Bryant – Oratory

Sultan Ziyad – Architecture

Ana Villavasso – Filmmaking

Fawzi James Jr. – Music Instrumental Contemporary

Kyron Robertson – Photography

Xavier Doyle	Josiah O’Connor	Dana Boyer
Salmoncain Smith-Shomade	Zayla Bryant	Sultan Ziyad
Ana Villavasso	Fawzi James Jr	Kyron Robertson

Other Winners: