Jesus Is The Answer Ministries, and Elder Ernest Johnson, sponsors
a unique program created and hosted by the NAACP to help high school
students of Afro-American decent by offering national competitions
in the scholastics and the arts. This program was founded to show
high school students that they can succeed in sciences, the arts and
academics and not just sports and theatrical arts.
Act-so, is a acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and
Scientific Olympics. ACT-SO, often referred to as "Olympics of the
mind,"
is a year long enrichment program where participants flex
the most important muscle -THE MIND. Just as an athlete trains
before a competition, so must an ACT-SO participant train with
coaches and mentors to prepare for the local competition. The program
is designed to circuit, stimulate and encourage high academic and artistic
excellence among which school students of African descent. There are
24 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, performing
and visual arts. At the national level, gold, silver and bronze medals are
awarded along with cash scholarships of $1,000, $750, and
$500 in each category, in addition to many other awards, scholarships
and prizes.
For more information on the ACT-SO program contact you local NAACP
branch or the National NAACP ACT-SO office at 410/358-8900.
I'd like to share some photos from the past years of youth taken
to the national competitions by Elder Johnson. Elder Johnson has
produced over 10 winners over the past 8 years. He has sponsored
teams from Long Beach, Compton, and Carson, CA.
I would support a program like this cause it helps kids grow scholastically
and socially. I was overwhelmed when I saw this particular program because
it really helps high school students, from all over America, to succeed
even if you can't see it.
The following is a previous year report about JITA's involvement in ACT-SO.
It really helps youth discover their talents.
FOR THE NEW 2006 REPORT FROM ARRLINGTON (CRYSTAL CITY), VIRGINIA click here.
Youth at the national awards show at the Charlotte, N.C. Convention Center.
You can see all of the different cities represented from California alone.
Robert Blake Harper, who competed in Drama, is pictured holding the Compton
name sign, which is held up during the ceremony to identify the
city and state of each group of ACT-SO students.
Students, in 1998, are preparing to go to the airport, in limousines provided by
Simms limousine. The students pose with their mentors who came to show them off.
This is the team representing Compton, CA. We came back with two
medals. One in video and filmmaking, and one in music composition.
Our 1997 team to Charlotte, with sponsor and chaperones. (l-r)
Donta Snider, Candy Rice - financial sponsor, Ronell Davis Chaperone, Virnell
Franklin-Elder Johnson's son, Keith Sams - Elder Johnson's assistant
coordinator, Allen Caldwell - drama.
They always have prayer before the weekend of
competitions ever begin. The program teaches the
to pray, and believe God that they will do their best.
Many young people who are saved always get together
during the evening while the unsaved youth party during
the nightly socials. God has his way of winning souls.
The 1999 ACT-SO team in Atlanta, GA. We had
no winners that year but the experience was
invaluable and many of these students are now in
college.
First place winners in Nashville, Tenn. in 1992. Shon Peterson,
music classical instrumental and a young lady who won in music
composition. Shon, a native of Baltimore, now resides in L.A.
and is involved in the entertainment industry doing commercials
and guest spots on television shows. His desire is to be cast in a
television series.
One of the great things about the ACT-SO program is that students
get to meet and know other students from all over the country. Some
of the students build lasting personal, educational and business
relationship that sometimes last a life time.
The kids from the Carson ACT-SO team took part in a live CNN
television broadcast reaching the entire U.S.
We see a student posted next to his drawing
which he entered into the drawing and painting
category.
Elder Johnson poses with Kiuse Infume, president of the NAACP at the
national ACT-SO competitions, along with some of their youth that were
sponsored by Elder Johnson. (l-r) Elder Johnson, Kusie Infume, Junious (Teddy)
Lockett, & Michael Hughes.
Sherman Mitchell works on his project for architecture in his room.
When returning to Los Angeles he joined Elder Johnson's church, was
baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
Guys are not the only one's with talent. Here's this
beautiful young lady with her project for sculpture.
A student poses with his portraits that he entered in the
photography catagory. By the way he won second place that year.
Our winners, Austin Marks - Music Composition, and Tramelle Turner
Video/filmmaking (Guys with medals) pose with the Compton Mentor
staff who helped coach them to a great victory. (L-r) Larry, Austin, The
mother of the ACT-SO Program for Compton since 1981 and President of Compton
Community College, and Tramelle Turner.
More ACT-SO
Click here for the next Act-so Page.
You are the
person to visit this page. Thank you and God Bless you In Jesus Name.