The 2019 Roanoke ACT-SO team traveled to the National ACT-SO Competition in Detroit, MI July 18- July 21, and brought a winner back to Roanoke. Roanoke was placed on the map again when London Paige, a rising junior at William Fleming High and the Roanoke Valley Governors School, was awarded a Bronze Medal in the STEM- Chemistry/Biochemistry category. The title of her project was “The Effects of Yeast on the Decomposition of a Starch and an Algae Based Bioplastic.”
The team that motored to Detroit was comprised of Gloria Randolph-King, chair; Sheila Herron, Co Chair; Roanoke local gold medalists-Chadwick Davilsaint, Antoine Jefferson, Duy Pham and London Paige, chaperones-Marvin and Lorena Wilson and supporters-parents, Mrs. & Mrs. Daniel Paige with Brianna and A’ron Wilson. Of course, President Brenda Hale and Fran Berry were there to cheer Roanoke on.
Also, on hand for the entire week was NAACP National President, Derrick Johnson, who took pictures with some of the members during arrival.
The excitement was brewing for days after arrival. Thursday was the day for rehearsals, networking, bonding and “Kick-off” fun for the participants and chaperones. Friday was Competition Day at which all of Roanoke’s gold medalists did a great job! On Sunday, winning the STEM bronze medal was the highlight for Virginia since London was the only medal winner from the state of Virginia.
We are also proud of Chad Davilsaint, the local drama winner, who auditioned and was part of the Awards Ceremony held at the historic and beautiful Fox theatre on Sunday, July 21. Competition was stiff with over 750 youth participating; By winning a bronze medal, London was awarded a computer tablet, the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and $1,000!
Local President Brenda Hale was present and overjoyed that Roanoke had a winner.
Previous Bronze Medal winners were Patrick Curtis, (Physics) in 2004; Tyler Langhorn (Oratory) in 2014; Danae Antoine (Drawing) in 2015 and now London Paige (STEM) in 2019!
The ACT-SO competition is a great experience for talented high school youth and the Roanoke Branch seeks to encourage our youth to demonstrate their talents and show everyone that they can also be winners in the 2020 ACT-SO!
For more information about the NAACP ACT-SO, contact Gloria Randolph-King at 793-0811 or Sheila Herron at 853-6203.
