The four gold medal winners of the 22nd Annual ACT-SO Talent Competition in Eugene are headed to the national competition in Orlando, Florida, in July. They are: Brianna Stubbs, North Eugene High School, for contemporary vocals (pictured); Audre Davids, Thurston High School for original essay; Simon Longnight, South Eugene High School, for dance; and Maya Agapito, South Eugene High School, painting.
The Eugene/Springfield branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the City of Eugene presented the local competition on March 23. The ACT-SO program centers on the dedication and commitment of community volunteers and business leaders who serve as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence among African-American students. ACT-SO is an acronym for Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics.
This year ACT-SO students from Eugene, Bethel, and Springfield school districts competed in humanities, science, and visual and performing arts categories such as music vocal and instrumental, dramatics, music composition, mathematics, health and science, poetry, original essay, drawing, painting, and dance.
Seven South Eugene High School students took medals home. Sheldon High School, Churchill High School, ATA Middle School and Oak Hill School each had two medalists. North and Thurston High schools each had one medalist.