WHAT IS ACT-SO?
ACT-SO is an acronym for Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. There are
25 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts.

WHO SPONSORS ACT-SO?
ACT-SO is sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP), which is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Local Sponsors
include: City of Eugen e, Lane County Commissioners, Lane County Department of Youth
Services, 4J, Bethel and Springfield School Districts, Comcast ,The Shedd and Oregon
Electric Station.

WHO FOUNDED ACT-SO?
Vernon Jarrett, a renowned author and journalist. The first national ACT-SO competition was
held in 1978 in Portland Oregon. This is the 19 th year of the Program in the Eugene
/Springfield Area.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
High school students of African descent, who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in
grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories of competition are able to participate.