GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Each contestant must:

1. Be of African-American descent.
2. Be a high school student enrolled in grades 9 through 12.
3. Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
   
4. Be an individual who has demonstrated a genuine interest in one of the 25 categories.
   
5. Submit a separate project, one contestant per category per city (a contestant may enter up to three (3) categories of competition.
   
6. Be of amateur status--never having  performed as a professional
   in any categories of competition.
   
   
7. Conform to the guideline requirements as dictated by the categor(ies) chosen.
8. Submit to his/her local NAACP chapter
   * A final application.
   * A 1 to 2 page, typed biography (double-spaced).
   
9. For National contestants, submit to his/her local NAACP ACT-SO sponsor:
   * A national application.
   * A one to two page, typed [double-spaced] biography.
   * A completed parental consent form.
   * A medical release form signed by a parent.
   * A small, clear photo.