Keya Sanders, 18, and Brent Taylor, 21, are pursuing careers in real estate. They work for Domicile Realtor in Roselawn.

        A little-known program, sponsored by the NAACP Youth Council, is probably responsible for their ambition. Both were participants in the council's ACT-SO competition.

        ACT-SO means Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific Olympics, referred to as “Olympics of the Mind.”

        Gloria Turnbow, youth adviser, said the program is designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievements among African-American high school students.

        “I think it is great competition,” said Ms. Sanders, who participated in 1998, 1999 and 2000 in the photography category.

        “The panel asked very serious questions about techniques of photography. In my first competition, I was using a disposable camera. I now have my own dark room.”

        Ms. Sanders said the ACT-SO also gave her the opportunity to meet more diverse students because she was attending Lakota West High school, where there aren't many black students.

        Mr. Taylor, who competed in the oratory category, said exposure to students from across the country in the national competition meant a lot.

        “I didn't win at the national level, but the experience of being there is something I will never forget,” Mr. Sanders said.

        The council kicked off ACT— SO auditions Saturday at the Melrose YMCA, 2840 Melrose Ave., Walnut Hills.

        Other auditions will be noo-2 p.m. Feb. 23, March 2 and 9 at the YMCA.

        Local competition will be April 27 at the YMCA. First-place winners will compete in the National ACT-SO competition in Houston, Texas, July 4-10.

        For information, call the NAACP office at 281-1900, or Mrs. Turnbow at 751-2131.

        At the Valentine Day Dance at the Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living in Kenwood, students from the Deer Park High School Honor Society danced with residents.

Ed B. Cox (right), a resident of Arden Courts Alzheimer's Assisted Living, hits the dance floor with Katie Martin, a senior from Deer Park High School. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        Charlie Eschmeyer, a resident, thrilled students with his ballroom dancing.

        “Ordinarily, Mr. Eschmeyer doesn't like to participate in activities, but this time he was very much involved,” said Andria Powell, activities coordinator.

        “I hope the students understood the impact they had on the residents,” she said.

        The students used the event as one of their community service projects. They selected Ed B. Cox as king and Dorothy Hodde as queen.

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday.

        If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are committing random acts of kindness that are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at (513) 768-8362; at ahoward@enquirer.com; or by fax at (513) 768-8340.
       

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