In 2021, the NAACP-Vancouver Branch established their ACT-SO Program in Vancouver, WA. The NAACP's 'Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a year-long student personal and professional development, and achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African American high school students. The ACT-SO Program includes 33 competitions in areas such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), Humanities, Business, and Performing, Visual and Culinary Arts, Aviation, Medical fields. Students can compete in up to three different categories of the 33 areas to choose from. Participants work with community-based volunteers for one year to develop projects and presentations. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for awards, and national gold medal winners are eligible for scholarships. Applicants must have participated in the NAACP Vancouver Branch ACT-SO program and continue their education at an accredited college, university, Historically Black Colleges, technical or career school during the upcoming school year. Preference will be given to ACT-SO Medalists, first-generation students, and students with demonstrated financial need. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for more information.