Greetings from the New Jersey ACT-SO Chairperson
Welcome to the 25th New Jersey Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. For the past 25 years, New Jersey ACT-SO has been consistently serving the community of youth throughout the state and we have proud stories! This year marks a milestone for this great program that is dedicated and committed to developing the excellence in young adults so they may be better equipped to achieve and succeed in their lives.
To mark this historic occasion, this year, we have folded our awards ceremony, showcase and reception into one gala event. However, ACTSO is not a one time event, it is an ongoing year-round experience that nurtures, and supports children of color.
This year, we also pay tribute to the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela who despite all of the life long trials and tribulations he endured, showed us how to never lose sight of the prize of freedom or compassion for humanity. We stand on the shoulders of greatness and we must teach these stories to our youth to give them a solid foundation of victory for principles in the face of challenges. ACT-SO is comprised of professionals, volunteers, elders, parents for a common goal ~ the positive development of high school students and the mobilization of the adult community to support them. The strength of the program is realized through a team effort. We provide a safe environment to dream, experiment, research, work and socialize. Students: You are to be commended for your efforts in the fields of Humanities, Science, Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Business. You are roled models for your peers, inspiration to your mentors and motivation for your parent. We believe you are all winners because you have chosen to complete a challenging process. You are examples to the world of the great heights our youth can achieve. Use the same determination and commitment in your live and you will surely have success. Coaches/Mentors: You are an integral part of this year round village program. You meet with the students on a regular basis giving freely of your expertise. You have encouraged, nurtured and embrace the students with a love they need, want and appreciate. We are the village of support for all our children. Parents: It is a tremendous challenge to raise a child in today’s modern, technological society. Regardless of where we live in New Jersey, our children are being lured and distracted from realizing their full potential. It does take a “village to raise a child.� You are not alone. Thank you for your commitment to your child and seeing the value of ACT-SO.
Program Advisors: I extend a special note of gratitude to you. You spend a tremendous amount of time, money and effort to present this great opportunity to young people. You believe our children can achieve, you believe in their potential and you ACT-SO! This statewide community program cannot exist without you. Thank you all! In Unity,
Deborah Smith Gregory, NJ ACT-SO Chairperson
THE NEW JERSEY STATE CONFERENCE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE 13 West Front Street, Trenton, New Jersey Mail: 4326 Harbor Beach Blvd. #775, Brigantine, New Jersey 08203 Phone: (609) 310-0211 Website: www.njnaacp.org E-Mail: info@njnaacp.org On behalf of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, its Officer’s, Executive Committee and members, it is with great pride and admiration that I say “Congratulations” on your 25th Anniversary. Normally 25 years represents “silver” but for our ACT-SO students here in New Jersey we know you are always striving for GOLD! For over thirty years the mission of ACT-SO has been to prepare, recognize and reward youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence. Mrs. Deborah Smith-Gregory has provided stellar leadership and our young people have benefited from her untiring commitment and dedication providing them with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society. She is truly second to none. A huge “thank you” also goes out to the volunteers and business leaders who have served as mentors and coaches over the years. To our ACT-SO participants you are truly our most precious commodity and we must continue to do all we can to ensure that we give you the tools and the guidance, which will enable you to be successful. I commend each of you on your accomplishments thus far, and for looking forward to the beauty you’ve yet to savor and the things you’ve yet to add to the beautiful story of your lives. To the adults in attendance today who may not be engaged, I encourage you to get involved. While good things come to those who wait, greater things come to those who take action. Our young people need our love, our support, our mentorship and our encouragement. They truly are our future but we must take the responsibility to teach them “well,” and then and only then will they be able to lead the way. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve as the State Conference President as we celebrate this milestone event. Again, “Congratulations” on a job well done… God Bless, Richard T. Smith President NAACP – New Jersey State Conference
NJ ACT-SO SCORES 25 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE The New Jersey Afro Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) were initiated in 1989. At the first state competition 50 teens participated with no national winner. Now 25 years later, NJ has captured national medals every year in numerous categories including science, business, humanities, visual and performing arts. A majority of NJ ACT-SO alumni are in college or have graduation. Many are working as productive citizens in their communities. Our success stories are proud one. The NJ State Conference of the NAACP sponsors the activity along with local community support. More than 6,000 area high school students have participated in the NJ ACT-SO workshops around the state that culminates in an annual statewide competition. The ACT-SO program is not a talent show. It is an academic and cultural enrichment program. As a result of their active participation, students gain enhanced self-esteem, self-discipline and skills through their interactions with accomplished adult coaches and judges.
ACT-SO is a learning experience that raises the standard of excellence and expectation among our youth and mobilizes the adult community to serve as mentors, coaches and judges for students. ACT-SO provides a save haven for students to explore and exercise academic and cultural abilities they have within.
The adult mentors who volunteer their time and expertise are professionals in the categories they mentor. These dedicated volunteers meet with students for a minimum of five months on a weekly basis prior to the competition. Through general informational workshops, field trips, small group and one to one sessions, mentors provide exposure and motivation for excellence. Generally the state competition is held in April with competition categories divided into the North and South regions of the state. Another bank of 150 adult volunteers conduct the annual one-day competition as judges and facilitators.
Gold medalists from both regions have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes at the national competition held in conjunction with the July National NAACP convention. The NJ ACT-SO Program is also an approved partner of the NJ Governor’s Arts in Education Awards Program. Recently launched, The Friends of ACT-SO NJ was born out of a need to meet the ever- mounting expenses of implementing this premiere, free enrichment program for our students. The Friends provide fund raising and programmatic support of this 25-year-old enrichment program and serve as a model of what working collectively for our youth can achieve.
The ACT-SO Village believes our children need to be nurtured, nourished, disciplined and mentored. We believe our children need our attention and our love. We believe in their possibilities. The Friends of ACT-SO NJ graciously thank all the supporters of this 25th Anniversary Awards Program and Showcase Gala. We stand in unity for the future of our youth.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE‌THEN ACT-SO!
HIGHLIGHTS
MEDALISTS
2014 New Jersey ACT-SO Awards Ceremony & Gala
Programme Pre-show String Quartet Selections...................................................... Camden County ACT-SO Student Processional......................................................................................... ACT-SO Students Negro National Anthem............................................................................................ Briana Willis
New Brunswick ACT-SO Alumnus
Opening Prayer....................................................................................Minister Lonnell Williams
California ACT-SO Alumnus
Welcome & Greetings............................................................................Deborah Smith-Gregory
New Jersey State ACT-SO Director
Loretta Winters
Gloucester County NAACP President
Richard Smith
New Jersey State NAACP President
Anana Kambon
National ACT-SO Director
Frederick Philip & Khalia Goodwin Master & Mistress of Ceremonies New Brunswick & Metuchen ACT-SO Alumni
Dance Performance................................................................ Camden County ACT-SO Students Student Affirmation...................................................................... Shaun Adams & Arthur Taylor ACT-SO Alumni
~ Science Awards Presentations ~ Dramatic Performance.......................................................................... Trenton ACT-SO Students ~ Entrepreneurship Awards Presentations ~ ~ Architecture Awards Presentations ~ Oratorical Performance......................Newark, Oranges Maplewood & Tri-City ACT-SO Students ~ Humanities Awards Presentations ~ Tribute Performance.......................................................................... Montclair ACT-SO Students
2014 New Jersey ACT-SO Awards Ceremony & Gala
Programme Presentation of Vernon Jarrett Award...................................LaRae Carter & Deborah Gregory
Gloucester ACT-SO Chairperson & N.J. State ACT-SO Director
Music Vocal Performance...............................................New Brunswick Area ACT-SO Students ~ Visual Arts Awards Presentations ~ Music Instrumental Performance........................................... Camden County ACT-SO Students ~ Performing Arts Awards Presentations ~ Poetry Performance........................................................... Gloucester County ACT-SO Students ~ Performing Arts Awards Presentations ~ Presentation & Closing Remarks............................................................................ Darnell Davis
Newark ACT-SO Chairperson
Finale Dance...................................................................................................................Everyone ** Post Party & Celebration ** On behalf of New Jersey ACT-SO, we extend sincere appreciation to the following: v President Richard Smith and New Jersey State Conference NAACP for Leadership, and Financial Support as our primary sponsor v Michael McNeill, Director of NJ Solutions to Eliminating Poverty (STEPS) Inc. for donation of Medallions v Wendell Steinhauer, President of New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) for donation of Student Gifts v President Sheila Parker and VP Of Operations Shakai Terry of SDM & Associates for tickets and copies in preparation for our 25th Annual Competition v Scott Summiel, Liasion and the Campbell African American Network (CAAN) for Volunteers and Mentors v Sharnee Brown, Principal of Central High School and staff for use of Central High School Newark for 25th Annual NJ ACT-SO competition v Crystal Curry Thomas, Liaison and Friends of ACT-SO New Jersey for support v All the Parents, Mentors, Advisors, Judges and Volunteers v Charlene Balfour for Registration Preparation v Nick and the Masso’s Orchard Staff for working closely with the gala coordinators v Pastor J-Anthony and Madelin Dargan of MLD Communications for your support and care with our journal
2014 ACT-SO New Jersey Judges & Volunteers We would like to extend a heartfelt “THANK YOU� to all of the judges and volunteers who helped to make our 2014 competition a HUGE success. If your name was not included below, please charge it to our heads and not our hearts.
JUDGES
JUDGES (continued)
Lawrence Allen Chimaobi Amutah Dr. Ndidi Amutah Susan Anderson Mark Anthony Zakiya Atkinson Sherrill Austin Justin Austin Gladys Bensimon Jamila Blades David Lee Booker Roger Brown Demar Brown Jesse Butler Gesselle Carradero Leslie Colyer-Brown Steven Cooper Tyhesha Cromwell Donna Curvin Kwesi Daniels Dr. Raiford Daniels Shanesia Davis Pamoja Days Justin Dominic Ruth Donat Dr. Arielle Drummond Dr. Gill Ellis Deborah Ford Keely Freeman Dr. Frizzell Davis Phyllis Gaines Shelly Gaines Jerry Gant Michael Gatlin James Gibbs Patricia Glaspie Darnell Gourdine Curtis Grayson Jenise Grice-Reedus Jamal Hall Jackie Hardrick Janice Harrison-Aikens Rev. Diane Hawkins Jacqueline Heads YocontalieJackson
Ashley Jackson Christopher Jackson Mohamed Jalloh JT Jenkins Donita Judge Katie Knoblock Sellasie Lamptey Jonathan F. Lee Paulette Longmore Steve Lovell Kirstin Lynch-Walsh Katrina Madison Nikiya Mathis Casandra McKendall-Clarke George Meadows Mariette Monpierre Carol Morgan-Brown Janice Morrell William Moses Monique Nelson Nefertite Nguvu Lamech Obwoge Adebukola Ogunsanya Patrick Payne Anita Rainford Rev. Sonya Redd Janet Riley Divad Sanders Barbara Sanders-Harris Kirk-Dean Scarlett Charles Smith Lisa Shepard Stewart William Tate Nathan Thomas Donna Torrence Donna Torrence Dr. LaSandra Watkins Terrell Wheeler Adrienne Wheeler William White Mack Williams Jennette Williams Judge Marilyn E. Williams Nichele Wilson
VOLUNTEERS Patricia Acosta Andrea Allen Beatrice Areche Samantha Braham Darlene Brown Denise Brown-Allen Jannie Butler Mayela Crooks Valerie Curry Tricia Defreitas Hope DeLoach Kelly Downing Carrie Edwards Shanelle Forde Stacey Harley Gatlin Khalia Goodwin Yolanda Greene Dana Hamilton Donna Irons Clarence Jackson Carlotta Jones Sharnice Jones Allonia Joyner Charisse Kouser Ervin Lee Alextrae McClendon Marjea Mckoy Julette Millien Tyanna Motley-LeGrand Malaika Muindi Ana Perez Valerie Pierce Mary Pitts Felicia Pope Deborah Reid Shell Rice-Williams Augustin Sanchez John L. Smith Lisa Thornton Robert Tucker Terry Turner Audra Wade Lisa Wade Betty Wade Cynthia Ward Kim Ware Dawn Watson Kathleen Witcher Cynthia Wright
2014 ACT-SO New Jersey Participants Camden County Arthur Taylor Chairperson
Taquan Allen Domonique Baugh Crystal Cosme Carlton Harris Alex Ibeneche Kenyatta Israel Raymond Jett Ruth Johnson Isaac Konteh Isaiah Konteh Tyree Lewis Marco Montiel Kaitlyn Roberson Savannah Scott Joshua Sims Haanesha Smith-Johnson Michael Spearman Rhapsody Taylor Richard Williams
Gloucester County LaRae Carter & Carol Dove Chairperson Pearis Bellamy Gabrielle Bing Brandon Blount LeVon Causey Kumbah Givens Christopher Jones Chavonne Kouser Deontae Moore
Montclair
Esther Canty-Barnes & Sandra McKnight Chairpersons Ayana Ayscue Mariah Ayscue Aaron Bogle Shakira Brightly Maliik Hall Rachel Mayer Jordan McFarlane Anne-Marie Morales Brianna Warrick
New Brunswick Adanna Davis & Michelle Redd Chairpersons Jeremiah Adams Chental Bembry Janella Branch Serena Brown Kevin Carolina Isaiah Devereaux Kristine Elliott Francisco Figueroa Kayla Garrett Atiya Gladden TyQashia Hall Kenyela Horn Triana Jackson Olivia McMillan Maya Moten Chidinma Opara Hannah Sawyerr Deja Scott Josephine Sesay Essie Tarver Hassan isdale Xaviar Turner Morgan Wade Terena Walton Kalimah White Bridgette Wilkerson Sterling Wright
Newark
Deborah Smith-Gregory & Darnell Davis Chairpersons Krista Baines Niyla Barr Jessica Baskerville Demetrius Beckham Salimah Brown Amber Brown-Kelly Breanna Bruce Delaysia Chambers Destiny Chen-Sue Andreia Cheong-A-Shack Azana Crawley Madrid Danner-Smith Zahiyah Evans Daree Florence Damani George Alexis Green Alisha Griffin
Joshua Gyimah Loriana Hines Ja’cyah Holmes James Hooper Amirah Ismail
Newark (Continued) Guichelle Kenfack Shadaia Leach-Smith Wesley May Tahgee McBride Danielle McPhatter James Morris Rabirah Moss Vincent Neill Arno Nelson Kwami Ngaojia Kwasi Nimako Oluwademilade Omoregie Michael Owusu Khalifa Pharms Kendi Prowell Kelsey Robinson K’lynn Rodriguez Cesar Sabtisteban Celeste Sanchez Aaron Sherrod Adjo Somenou Eustacia Sweatt Crystal Thompson Porsha Thompson Lamont Timmons Kiya Washington Bry’le Watson Khiana Wiley
Oranges-Maplewood Jasmine Roberts Chairperson Jazsmyne Garland Nia Pierce Clarise Simmons Randolph Simmons
TrENTON
Annalee Kelly & Leslie Sumiel Chairpersons Comfort Andrews Britteny Belin Kwesi Felician Jazmyne Fletcher Brooke Foster Brian Kelly Abiola Oladele Jurnee Samuels
tri-city
Jannie Butler Chairpersons Diata Cannon
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 5/10–5/11
New Jersey Performing Arts Center salutes
ACT-SO NJ
on its 25th Anniversary! Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
FREE!
Family Fair at Theater Square
Families and kids of all ages are invited to NJPAC’s FREE outdoor summertime celebration with performances, activities, food vendors and community partners Antonio Douthit-Boyd Photo: Andrew Eccles
Saturday, July 26
New Jersey Performing Arts Center t One Center Street, Newark, NJ
Darnell Davis
Dr. Vernon Jarrett
Thank you Darnell Davis for continuing to carry the ACT-SO torch passed to us by Dr. Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO Founder! We celebrate your tireless efforts and contributions towards the success on this the Silver Anniversary of ACT-SO New Jersey. With Much Love, Mom, Dad, Alfred Jr., Frizzell, Dianna and Alfred III
NEW BRUNSWICK AREA BRANCH ACT-SO STUDENTS and the entire New Jersey ACT-SO Family
You are All Winners NEW BRUNSWICK AREA BRANCH NAACP PO Box 235, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 732.828.5363 newbrunswickareanaacp@gmail.com
Congratulations! Newark Educators
Darnell Davis and Deborah S. Gregory (Retiree) for 23 years of dedicated mentoring to The Newark Academic, Cultural, Technological
and
Scientific Olympics Team
(ACT-SO)
Mr. Roger Leon, Assistant Superintendent Newark Public Schools
Congratulations & Best Wishes to the
2014 Newark ACT-SO Team
Always Remember to Do Your Personal Best!!!
Deborah Smith-Gregory & Darnell Davis Newark Co-Chairpersons
Thank you to the Newark Team Mentors and Volunteers for our commitment and dedication to young people! Kevin Hunter, Joan Whitlow, *Alycia Banks, Robin Jackson, *Ana Perez, Elise Sounder, Leslie Colliyer- Brown, *Vanera Aponte, Jay Skeete Lee, Kwame Christian, Donna Curvin, Dennis Philbert, *Tyler Glover, Rowena McPherson & *Sable Hightower* *Denotes Newark ACT-SO Alumnus
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE‌.ACT-SO!!!!
Newark Branch NAACP
Saluting 100 years of civil rights activism in Newark ( 1914-2014) Much has changed, much has not. The struggle continues and so must we!
Congratulations To The
Students, Parents, Mentors, Advisors, Alumni
NEWARK ACT-SO TEAM!
We are so proud of you!
The Newark Branch NAACP Officers and Executive Committee
Congratlations and Best Wishes To Our Mother
Deborah S. Gregory
We are proud of your efforts to support young people.
Love Always, The Smith Brothers
Ms. Molly’s Gift Shop Salutes The ACT-SO of New Jersey
Congratulations to Nia Pierce for winning the 2013 Gold Wishing you Luck in 2014
I proudly support ACT-SO New Jersey for your commitment to our youth and leading students to Success. Collene Rogers, Owner 111 South Merritt Mill Road Chapel Hill, NC 27516 919-967-2670
New York City ACT-SO
Congratulates
(Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics)
New Jersey ACT-SO
For more than 25 Years Of Dedication And Outstanding Service To New Jersey Youth and Community We Extend Best Wishes To The 2013 ACT-SO Scholars and Volunteers
“One of the Most Inspiring and Important Youth Programs in America” New York City High School Students! Get Involved, Be A Winner! Join with other Black New York City High School Scholars – Develop Projects in the Sciences, Arts and Humanities. Compete and Win Cash Scholarships And other Prizes in the ACT-SO Competition in April.
Anton Tomlinson Chairman & Executive Director Call: 212-666-9348 Website: www.actso.org
Congratulations to ACT-SO New Jersey 25 Years of Excellence Serving Our Youth
Special Congratulations to ACT-SO Montclair, New Jersey
We are so proud of You! Myrna Hinton, President United Methodist Women St. Mark’s United Methodist Church 51 Elm Street, Montclair, New Jersey
!
A SALUTE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF
ACT-SO New Jersey At Seton
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Hall University we educate you academically, spiritually and as servant leaders From the DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. LEADERSHIP PROGRAM AND THE UNIVERSITY’S GOSPEL MINISTRIES: UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHOIR, FLAMES, MEN IN CHRIST,
SILENT PRAISE LITURGICAL DANCE, SOLIDERS FOR CHRIST and WOMEN ARISE @@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Program Director: Rev. Dr. Forrest M. Pritchett, Sr. ACT-SO NJ Judge “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions
of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people”……………Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it, in relative opacity.” — Frantz Fanon Forrest.Pritchett@shu.edu
973.275.2760
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Congratulations to ACT-SO New Jersey
25 Years of Excellence Serving our Youth Congratulations to ACT-SO Montclair Students: Maliik, Anne Marie, Aaron, Shakira, Jordan, Ayana, Mariah, Anayah, Eustacia, Brianna
St. Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Methodist Church 51 Elm Street, Montclair, New Jersey
CONGRATULATIONS LELAI GIVENS (NJ ACT-SO BRONZE & SILVER MEDALIST- 2012 & 2013) CONGRATULATIONS KUMBAH GIVENS (NJ ACT-SO PARTICIPANT 2014) WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND PRAISE GOD FOR YOU! KEEP SHINING FOR JESUS! LOVE: DADDY, MOMMIE, WOSA, KEEMA, & CK
Hassan A. Tisdale
What the mind believes, it can achieve. All the best in the Act-So competition. Love Auntie, Uncle George and Grandma
Congratulations Chental-Song! May God continue to guide and bless you. May all of your dreams for The Honey Bunch Kids come true. I know they will and it’s just a matter of time. I am so proud because you worked so hard and deserve it. Your High School graduation sure came fast. As you look forward to attending Hampton University in the Fall just know that the best is yet to come.
I Love You, Sweet.
CONGRATULATIONS TO BRIANNA WARRICK!
We’re Proud Of You! LOVE, MOM & MOMMOM
Congratulations to New Jersey ACT-SO on their
25th Anniversary
God’s Blessings to the Chairs and Co-Chairs Community Volunteers
Mentors Coaches
Business Leaders
For the Dedication shown to a program that is
“Second To None!”
May you continue to promote Academic and Artistic Excellence Donald and Sandra Butts
Congratulations & Best Wishes All 2014 ACT-SO Participants
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” President Barack Obama May the Lord Be with You, Betty Simmons
NEW BRUNSWICK AREA BRANCH ACT-SO COMPETITORS & TEAM CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE ALREADY A WINNER THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
LOVE YOU ALL SONYA REDD
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