Kenneth Callier of Uniondale H.S. brought home the National Gold Medal in Biology/ Microbiology.

         The Afro - Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics ( ACT - SO ) is a major youth initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP ). Founded in 1978 by renowned author and journalist, Vernon Jarret, ACT - SO provides a forum through which African - American youth demonstrate academic, artistic, and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes.

         ACT - SO is rooted in the firm conviction that African - Americans can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms, and laboratories across this nation and abroad. The mission of ACT - SO is to prepare, recognize, and reward African - American youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence. The ACT - SO goals are:

1) To mobilize the adult community for the promotion of academic and artistic excellence among African - American youth.

2) To recognize academic and talent achievment among African - American students.

3) To provide and assist African - American students with the necessary tools to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.

         Vernon Jarrett, a renowned author and journalist, initiated the idea of a program that would promote and reward academic achievers the same way sports heroes are honored. The first national ACT - SO competition was held in 1978 in Portland Oregon.

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