Saginaw this week sent six teens to the national ACT-SO competition, during the opening portion of the NAACP national convention in Boston.
They are Amareah Bryant, Camille Culpepper, Lionel Baldwin and Ava Mendoza, all entering college this fall, along with Julian Morris and Micah Dunn, who will begin 11th grade.
(Update: Julian Morris achieved a national bronze medal for third place in entrepreneurship.)
While focusing on their own efforts, Saginaw’s teens also are gaining exposure to national civil rights action planning, with a schedule that includes remarks from Vice-President Kamala Harris.
ACT-SO stands for Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics. Following are profiles of our six local entrants.
Organizer Canika Pugh explains: “We look forward to continuing to support and empower these young people as they continue to flourish and make a positive impact in the community and beyond. With their talents and potential, there’s no doubt that they will go on to accomplish great things. As volunteers we’re privileged to be part of their journey. Together, we’ll celebrate their successes and continue to provide a platform where they can thrive and make a difference. Thank you to the mentors for their commitment and willingness to help shape the future of the youth in Saginaw, and we commend all of the students who competed on the local level.
“While focusing on their own efforts, our teens also are gaining exposure to the historic city of Boston. They will attend workshops and classes, and network with college/university representatives, corporate executives, experts in their areas of competition, and with hundreds of students from across the United States.”
Through the years, Saginaw has earned a reputation at ACT-SO as one of the top mid-size cities, keeping pace with the metropolis towns. Following is information to help readers learn more about our 2023 entrants, representing the Saginaw NAACP and our entire community.
Amareah Bryant
Category: Poetry
- Entering Wayne State University this fall, graduated from Arthur Hill High School.
- Winner of Silver Key award for poetry from Scholastic Inc.; varsity volleyball and track.
- In Boston, “The judges will ask questions about the content of my poem, and also techniques like time, day, imagery and voice. Part of my preparation is to anticipate what questions they may ask. I’m also making last-minute improvements with edits and changes.”
- Aims for a career as a nurse anesthetist.
- Daughter of Clint Bryant and Shawn Riley.
To view Amareah’s entry, click here
Sister, Sister
My sister has changed.
A tree of femininity has gripped
her by the torso and forced her to expel
womanhood out at every angle.
The flowers of this very tree, consistent,
and long have synched and cycled with the seasons.
And I just want, no need, to protect her so,
I immediately moved with purpose
and mission back home and through the door,
with gravity propelling me towards my old room.
I passed gradients of bygone photos;
grandma, mom, and I favored but
my sister’s dark skin and sharpness of her cheekbones
left her with comparisons to her father.
I glanced and smiled at the pictures of my sister,
especially the one with her hair in ropes,
held together by barrettes resembling budding petunias.
My steps of confidence slowed,
becoming tiptoes of anxiety as I
crept towards the crack of my former door.
She was there in front of a leaning mirror
that was slowly but steadily scraping off the
coat of white on the walls.
I watched her there in that mirror.
Her hair with beads and bows I just saw in the pictures,
now cascading braids with kinked curls that spiraled out of control
she hummed to some song that shouted out anger to the world
and she twirled in some dress too short
with makeup that challenged her age.
Yet she still was so juvenile…
I kept my gaze with a spirit of envy,
because she didn’t yet understand that
her roots can only extend so far.
I was almost compelled to rush in
to tell her to cover up,
to take off the nails,
wipe off the lip gloss and makeup.
Do something, or anything different.
With my fingers on the handle,
I wondered why did I want to be the first
to tell my own sister
to stay within invisible boundaries?
Be the first to take a hack into her tree.
Tell her to relinquish new leaflets,
stay hidden within the inveterate roots of nearby underbrush.
But how can I do that when those flowers
have just begun to bloom so beautifully?
Camille Culpepper
Category: Painting
- Enrolled at College Institute for Creative Studies in Detroit after graduating from Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy.
- Multiple prize winner at the Saginaw County Student Art Fair, displayed at Fashion Square Mall, vice-president of SASA’s chapter in the National Honor Society, career volleyball.
- In Boston, “My painting is titled, ‘Where Curls Go to Die,’ reflecting my personal journey to embrace my natural hair style, along with recent studies on the harmful effects of relaxers, chemicals and hot combs. My mixed-media entry includes water colors, acrylics, charcoals and oil pastels.”
- Will study for a bachelor’s degree in art illustration and a master’s in art therapy.
- Daughter of Karnitha Culpepper
To view Camille’s entry, click here
Lionel Baldwin
Category: Contemporary Instrumental Music
- Has already started at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. A product of Arthur Hill High School.
- Known for inventing and performing “saxophone serenades” for individuals on special occasions, more than 300 to date. Varsity wrestling and football. Will join the U-M marching band.
- In Boston, “My selection will be ‘Four’ by Miles Davis, first his fast-paced version and then my slower interpretation.”
- Enrolled at U-M in pre-law and in political science.
- Son of Arshen Baldwin.
Ava Mendoza
Categories: Traditional Dance and Contemporary Dance
- Enrolled at Saginaw Valley State University, graduate of Heritage High School
- Miss Saginaw County outstanding teen, 2022; Miss Bay County outstanding teen, 2023.
- In Boston, “The traditional dance will be less emotional, but for both I try to go into the performances with an open mind (as opposed to a memorized rehearsal). When I begin, I don’t know 100 percent exactly what I will express. when I begin.”
- Aims for a dance-related career, in performing or teaching, or possibly both.
- Daughter of Sonya Campbell.
Julian Morris
Categories: Original Essay and Entrepreneurship
- Entering 11th grade at Saginaw High School.
- Established SWAG (Students with a Gift) magazine and logo apparel, directed and produced “School House Rocked” covid-years video documentary, volunteered to organize after-school journalism mentorship at Thompson Middle, hosts annual charity fashion show to raise funds for kids with incarcerated parents at Christmas. (To view School House Rocked, click here.)
- In Boston, “To prepare, I’ve been meeting with Mr. David Brown, a commercial lender at Isabella Bank. He has reviewed my business plan and given me tips on my presentation as to what he’s looking for as a banker. To prepare for my original essay competition, ‘The Social Impact of Black Youth Entrepreneurship,’ I have been reading it constantly and presenting it with random questions asked, so I can be prepared for anything.”
- Will pursue a career in broadcast sports journalism.
- Son of Denita Dorsey and Nathaniel Morris III.
Micah Dunn
Category: Classical Instrumental Music
- Entering 11th grade at Heritage High School.
- National Honor Society secretary at Heritage, volunteer with Saginaw Strings and McDowell Healing Arts Center.
- In Boston, “I have been practicing on Sundays with experienced players. One is in California and so we have Zoom meetings online. To play the music is different because instead of reading notes, we rely on clefs (symbols used to indicate which notes are represented by the lines and spaces on a musical staff).”
- Goal is to play for the Detroit or Chicago symphony orchestra.
- Son of Marlow and Mary Patillo Dunn.
