Several Akron-area high school students earned gold medals at the recent 2026 Akron ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) Program.
“Our students showed what’s possible when preparation meets support. They rose to the moment with excellence — and this is only the beginning for them,” Jasina Chapman, chair of the Akron NAACP ACT-SO Program, said in a prepared statement.
The gold medalists who are advancing to nationals this summer include:
Emmanuel Roebuck, an 11th grader at Firestone CLC, earned a silver medal in the Poetry: Written category.
Layla Motley, an 11th grader at Akron Early College, earned a bronze medal in the Dance: Contemporary category.
ACT-SO provides mentorship, performance experience and pathways to scholarships, national recognition and leadership development. Founded in 1977, ACT-SO has engaged more than 300,000 students in over 200 cities nationwide.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Students earn gold medals in Akron NAACP ACT-SO competition
Reporting by Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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