South High Recognized by DuPage Program for African American Students

The DuPage County Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) recently awarded South High a “Certificate of Recognition” for registering the second highest number of students in its 2012-13 program.

ACT-SO, based in Naperville, encourages high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students, and is a major youth initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

The DuPage County Chapter is sponsored by the DuPage County NAACP, the College of DuPage and the DuPage Regional Office of Education. 

“Our African American students who have gone through the ACT-SO program have found it to be a very rewarding and valuable experience,” South High Principal Steve Bild said in a statement. “We are happy to be recognized by ACT-SO and are pleased to continue our partnership with them this year.”

The seven-month ACT-SO program challenges students that if they are interested in science, the arts, business and other fields, to “ACT-SO!” The program features leadership development sessions, service activities and one-to-one mentorship.

The program culminates with an academic competition covering 26 different subject areas. Its mission is to nurture excellence and provide positive reinforcement to African American high school students. 

“Partnering with ACT-SO is another way we can support our African American students,” said Anita Carpenter, a counselor at South High “It exposes them to all of the possible career paths and future opportunities available to them.”

DuPage County ACT-SO is currently recruiting students to participate in its 2013-14 program. An orientation session for parents will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the College of DuPage. 

For details, see the flyer at http://south.csd99.org/assets/3/7/ACT-SO_Orientation_Flyer_2013.pdf or visit www.dupageact-so.org.