Sens. Sykes and Roegner Recognize NAACP ACT-SO Winners
September 19, 2019
Vernon Sykes News
Yesterday, state Senators Vernon Sykes (D-Akron) and Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) honored Connor Harris and Chika Nkwocha for receiving awards at the 2019 NAACP National Afro-American Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). Connor Harris won a bronze medal for his research on the EPHA6 gene mutation and its correlation to colorectal cancer in African Americans. Chika Nkwocha won a silver medal for her expressive painting portraying black identity and experience.
“I am incredibly proud of Connor and Chika for their accomplishment and dedication to excellence,” said Sykes. “These awards are a reflection of their outstanding work ethic, academic excellence and commitment to driving change in their community through their work.”
The ACT-SO competition is a yearlong program designed to recruit, inspire and encourage academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. The program includes 32 competitions in STEM, the humanities, business, and performing, and visual and culinary arts.
“I am incredibly proud of Connor and Chika for their accomplishment and dedication to excellence,” said Sykes. “These awards are a reflection of their outstanding work ethic, academic excellence and commitment to driving change in their community through their work.”
The ACT-SO competition is a yearlong program designed to recruit, inspire and encourage academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students. The program includes 32 competitions in STEM, the humanities, business, and performing, and visual and culinary arts.