Honoring and congratulating the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians for winning ten gold medals at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas.

WHEREAS, The NAACP ACT-SO competition was founded in 1978 by author and journalist Vernon Jarret, and is intended to provide recognition to young people who have demonstrated academic, scientific, and artistic achievements; and

WHEREAS, ACT-SO, which stands for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics aims to provide students with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society; and

WHEREAS, Over the course of each year students work with local volunteers and mentors to develop projects and participate in enrichment opportunities including workshops, tutorials and field trips to their competitions; and

WHEREAS, With over 30 areas of competition in six major categories. STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Business, and Culinary. ACT-SO inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills; and

WHEREAS, The NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO 2023-2024 year rolled out an impressive and amazing slate of talented youth from across the City; and

WHEREAS, NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO represented the City proudly winning ten gold medals at this year’s ACT-SO competition in Las Vegas; and

WHEREAS, Two local medalists secured double gold, highlighting 10 Olympians across 12 categories at this year's competition; and

WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Chairperson Veronica Norris, the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP ACT-SO Program won three National Medals; and

WHEREAS, Germantown Friends Senior, Joshua Matthews, won the National Bronze for Chemistry/Biochemistry, while Central High School Junior Abdullah Mahmoud won the National Bronze Medal for Mathematics; and

WHEREAS, Samriah Mungin, a junior at The Philadelphia High School for Creative Arts won the National Silver Medal for Vocal Contemporary; and

WHEREAS, A win at the National NAACP ACT-SO competition is a win for all branches of the NAACP across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, In alignment with the founding principles of ACT-SO, which focus on recognizing young individuals for their exceptional achievements in the arts, academics and the sciences; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That this esteemed body honors and congratulates

the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians for winning ten gold medals at the National NAACP ACT-SO Competition in Las Vegas.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the NAACP Philadelphia ACT-SO Olympians as evidence of the true and sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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