“South Campus had the great fortune of hosting these extremely talented young men and women who were on their way to compete at the 36th National ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition,” said Campus President Peter Jordan. “These youngsters are proof positive of the extraordinary talent that exists in our community.”
A NAACP initiative, ACT-SO is a year-long enrichment program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage academic and cultural achievements among African-American high school students. Students compete at the local and national level in 26 categories including Sciences, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Business. The students and the areas in which they competed include Dexter Collins (instrumental classical and music composition); Alicia Smith (medicine and health); Addison Jordan (instrumental contemporary); Margie Ruffin (poetry); Jordan Cooper (playwriting and filmmaking); Zharne’ Gray (vocal contemporary); Durmerrick Ross (poetry) and Orlexia Thomas (short story).
The students who performed at the South Campus scored between 95-100 locally to become gold medalists and compete nationally. Fort Worth students Jordan Cooper and Durmerrick Ross won gold medals and Dexter Collins earned a silver medal at the national competition in July.
“The South Campus has a proud history of hosting and nurturing great talent,” President Jordan said. “The showcase was evidence of our continued commitment to that end.”
