ACT-SO
Local Winners And Announcements
NAACP ACT-SO NEW ORLEANS PRESENTS
A TALENT EXTRAVAGANZA AND AWARDS CEREMONY 2026
Thank You To Everyone Involved!
Thank you for a wonderful night of CELEBRATING STUDENT EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AND CAREER PATHWAYS!
Support for the student excellence in the arts and career pathways is, and will always be, a team effort. As always, we would like to highlight those involved with the preparation and execution of this wonderful night.
A Special Thanks to Our Mentors!
Without the time and effort put in by these individuals, we would not have the extensive knowledge available to support these young minds.
Humanities
Brad Richard
Lisa Frazier Page
Samarah Bentley
Dance
Nikki Hefko
Ferease Cutno
Sir Chantz Powell
Vocal Music
Cosme Barnes Carter
Marc Anthony Thomas
Ivan Griffin
Of course we can not forget the individuals who assisted guidance in a flawless evening of celebration!
Accompanist - Dr. Brandon Banks, Dr. Leslie Cain
Sound Engineer - Kurt Brunus, Sr.
Program Cover Design - La' Toya Lewis
Logo Design - Lynette D. Bates
VITO Vocalist - Alumni Guest Artist
Alto Saxophone - Jacob Jones, Jr.
To the parents who have gone that extra mile, not just to influence the molding of just their own, but those that have shown what it means to give all for the growth of the future, we say thank you. A lot of these opportunities would not be available without your support.
Parent Booster Representatives of 2026
ASHLEY EDMOND
AIESHA KELLY
KAREN HENDERSON SHERONDA ALEXIS,
MELANIE WILLIAMS
LA' TOYA LEWIS
KIMIYO WILLIAMS
THERON WILLIAMS
DEANNA LIVERS
RENESHA ROBERTSON
KIM BISHOP
TINA SUGGS
DEMETRICE SMITH
ELAINE BRUNUS
LENZIE LE-BEAUF WARD
SANDRELL BENTLEY
NETANYA HART
KEITH HART
WENDY FIRVEN SMITH
NWAMAKA DAWSON
Culinary
Elena Hodges
Dana Touhy
Patricia Cooke
Angelina Drage
Instrumental Music
Keith Hart
STEM
Dr. Phoebe Zito
Dr. David Pordorsky
LaOuinton Nimox
Visual Arts
Ateja Lewis
Sheleen Jones, Sculpture
Jade Thiraswas, Photography
Dramatics
Ateja Lewis
Isreal Scott
To the “Friends of NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans Board Of Directors”, thank you for the consistent support and guidance in spearheading these events and opportunities available to the youth!
JULIA BLAIR BATTLE, PHD - BOARD PRESIDENT
LYNETTE DENISE BATES - BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
EDITH GEE JONES - BOARD SECRETARY/TREASURER
JAMES A. GRAY II - ACT-SO CHAIR/ADVISOR. NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL PRESIDENT
GIVONNA JOSEPH & IVAN GRIFFIN - VOCAL MUSIC CHAIRS
ISREAL SCOTT - DRAMATICS CHAIR
LULA ELZY - DANCE CHAIR
EDITH JONES - DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
DR PHOEBE ZITO - STEM CHAIR
ERNEST JONES, ESQ. - HUMANITIES CHAIR
LOUISE AND CHARLIE JOHNSON - VISUAL ARTS CHAIRS
STEPHEN FOSTER - INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CHAIR
EDGAR "Dook” CHASE IV - CULINARY AND HOSPITALITY CHAIR
ERNEST C. BATTLE. ED. D. - VIDEOGRAPHY/ PHOTOGRAPHY CHAIR
And last but not least, a huge shoutout to our sponsors. The exposure and assistance donated help us to continue to give these amazing and talented young minds an area and avenue to prosper and grow!
As we get settled into the new year, we welcome any and all students to apply and participate in our upcoming preparations for the next Talent Extravaganza!
Accepting applications for the year of 2027!
Lets Give A Huge Shout Out the all the Judges and Facilitators involved in this years process!
Without all your effort and wisdom, this program would have no foundation to stand on!
We thank you for your continued cooperation and support!
Vocal Music
Classical
Ivan Griffin (Facilitator)
Ms. Monika Cosson
Dr. Sakinah Davis
Ms. Irini Kyriakidou
Dr. Tara Melvin
Dramatics
Mr. Troy Populous (Facilitator)
Ms. Rahsaana Ison
Dr. Lauren Malara
Vocal Music
Contemporary and Jazz
Ms. Sharon Martin
Ms. Robin Baranes
Ms. Naydja Cojoe
Ms. Charmaine Neville
Sir Chance Powell
Culinary
Edith Jones (Culinary Coordinator)
Dook Chase IV (Sponsor, Facilitator)
Chef Leslie Jerreau
Chef Narcisse Burchell
Chef Samantha Pilgrim
Chef Pamela Pierre Brown
Instrumental Music Classical,
Contemporary, Jazz,
and Music Composition
Nikia Russel (Facilitator)
Dr. Jamarcus Welch
Mr. Joshua Johnson
Ms. Nakia Russel
Dr. Verna D Ruffin
Dr. Michael Boucree
Room Facilitators/TimeKeepers
Sheila Johnson Girard
Karen Lodrig
Dale Bonds
Elizabeth Rhodes
Andrea Gibson
Angelle Laraque
London King
Shontell Young
Lyndia Faust
Dance Ballet, Modern,
Contemporary, Traditional
Luly Elzy (Dance Coordinator)
Ms. Fernease Cutno
Mr. Kevin Gaudin
Ms. Mariana (Jean) Curry
Ms. Koya Brawley
Mr. Kynt Bryant
Gail Glapion
Saran Bynum
Ruth (Cookie) Jean
Santrica Pope
Shawon Bernard
Doris Baker
Brenda Jackson
Linda Paisant
Alice Lewis
Shirley Simon
Visual Arts
Mr. Charley Johnson (Facilitator)
Ms. Louise Johnson, (Facilitator)
Ms. Angel Omike
Ms. Eugenia Adams
Ms. Gina ReCasner, Esq.,
Mr. Antoine Prince
Mr. Marcus Rosser
STEM
Dr. Michael Boucree (Facilitator)
Ms. Claire Mortimer
Dr. Michaela King
Dr. Pat Wright
Humanities
Mr. Ernest Jones, Esq., (Facilitator)
Ms. Joyce Chapital
Mr. Frederick (Hollywood) Delahoussaye
Judge Arthur Hunter
Ms. Jennifer Baptiste
Hospitality
Micah Allen Chambers
Eve Marie Haydel
Dan Davis
Louis Colin
Spiros Dimitriou
2026 Local Competition Announcements And Acknowledgements
NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans
Sponsored by Friends of NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans
2026 NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists
NEW ORLEANS, LA — [April 17, 2026] — NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans celebrated the winners of its 2026
local ACT-SO competition, held April 11, spotlighting high school excellence in STEM, humanities,
culinary, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the performing and visual arts. Hosted at the University of
New Orleans, NOLA Spaces, and NOCHI, 125 students competed in 27 categories, earning 68 medals
and scholarships: 30 Gold medal awards of $300, 21 Silver medal awards of $150, and 17 Bronze medal
awards of $50.
Thirty Gold Medalists will represent New Orleans at the NAACP National ACT-SO Competition July 15–
19 in Chicago, joining and competing with over 450 students from 88 branches for scholarships,
networking, and prizes.
What an incredible day of talent, excellence, and achievement!
Thank you to everyone who joined us as we celebrated the outstanding presentations
and unforgettable performances of our Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists during the
2026 Awards and Talent Show Extravaganza at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center.
NAACP ACT-SO is a prestigious, year-round youth enrichment program, offering 33 competitions in
STEM, humanities, culinary, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the performing and visual arts. New
Orleans was an inaugural city in 1978. The mission is to serve students in grades 9–12 through
mentorship, training, competition, and multiple opportunities to excel.
We are proud of each participant for sharing their gifts, dedication, and hard work.
Congratulations to all of our medalists and performers for making this event a truly memorable experience!
Friends of NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans, a nonprofit organization, proudly supported this year’s program through
dedicated volunteers, advocacy, and community engagement.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended the 2026 Annual Awards and Talent Showcase
at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center
and to those who continue to invest in the success of our students.
As our medalists prepare for national participation, ongoing contributions remain vital in helping
offset the approximately $2,500 cost per student.
Your generosity helps ensure that these talented young scholars have the opportunity to represent New Orleans on the national stage.
To donate, Click Here
Below Is the list Of Local Winners from the 2026 ACT-SO Competition
Sponsored by Friends of NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans
2026 NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medalists
Culinary
Gold
Maraya Bienemy – Chalmette High School
Silver
Nakai Carter – Young Audiences High School
Dance – Ballet
Gold
Shelby Robert – Benjamin Franklin High School
Silver
Lauren Guzman – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Kymora Smith – John F. Kennedy High School
Dance – Modern
Gold
Aliyah-Rose Vignaud – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Imani Mosley – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Kymora Smith – John F. Kennedy High School
Dance – Contemporary
Gold
Brooklyn London – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Amaya Stevenson – Thomas Jeierson Academy for Advanced Studies, New Orleans
Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Aenea Riley Hester – Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans Center for the
Creative Arts
Dance – Cultural
Gold
Lauren Guzman – Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans Center for the
Creative Arts
Dramatic Arts – Acting
Gold
Cherielle Clark – George Washington Carver High School, New Orleans Center for
Creative Arts
Silver
Sean Bentley – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Keshaun Tervalon – Jesuit High School of New Orleans
Spoken Word
Gold
Cherielle Clark – George Washington Carver High School, New Orleans Center for the
Creative Arts
Silver
Amira Konate – Benjamin Franklin High School
Bronze
Ahja Hawkins – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Hospitality
Gold
Chalmette High School Hospitality Team, Chalmette High School
Music Composition
Gold
Noble Hart – HART Academy, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Oratory
Gold
Abijah Wood Dawson – New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
Short Story
Gold
Netanya Victoria Hart – HART Academy
Silver
Leif-Samuel Dawson – New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
Bronze
Ahja Hawkins – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Poetry Written
Gold
Amira Konate – Benjamin Franklin High School
Silver
Princess Marks – Frederick Douglass High School
Bronze
Chase Anderson – Chalmette High School
Original Essay
Gold
Uri Gresham – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Ahja Hawkins – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Instrumental Classical
Gold
Terrell Hill – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Nola Butler – Isidore Newman School
Bronze
Gabriel Lombard – The Willow School
Instrumental Contemporary
Gold
Cortes Ward – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Noel Wilson – New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, New
Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Kimori West – St. Augustine High School
Instrumental Jazz
Gold
Leon Brown Jr. – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Joshua Alexander – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Jason Jackson – St. Augustine High School, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Architecture
Gold
Trinity Smith – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Entrepreneurship/Business
Gold
Joel Lallande - McKanstry Preparatory School
Engineering
Gold
Connor Shaw – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
To'Nae Hilliard – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Filmmaking
Gold
Gabrielle Vance – Benjamin Franklin High School
Silver
Joel Lallande – McKanstry Preparatory School
Drawing
Gold
Trinity Smith – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Rayvn Ford – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Elise Celestin – The Willow School
Painting
Gold
Lauryn Landers – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Trinity Smith – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Ravyn Ford – Warren Easton Charter High School, New Orleans Center for Creative
Arts
Photography
Gold
Samaj Clark – Warren Easton Charter High School, New Orleans Center for the
Creative Arts
Silver
Davon Bentley – Discovery Flex Health Sciences Academy
Bronze
Jelani Smith – New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Sculpture
Gold
Abijah Wood Dawson - New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
Silver
Ravyn Ford - New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Bronze
Autumn Fox - Salmen High School
Vocal Classical
Gold
Malia Suggs – Patrick F. Taylor Academy, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Marvin Henry III – St. Augustine High School, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Bronze
Terrill Green – St. Martin’s Episcopal High School
Vocal Contemporary
Gold
Keshaun Tervalon – Jesuit High School of New Orleans
Silver
Marvin Henry, III – St. Augustine High School, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Bronze
Morgan Price – Isidore Newman High School
Vocal Jazz
Gold
Elias Tilton – New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School, New
Orleans Center for the Creative Arts
Silver
Keyshaun Tervalon - Jesuit High School of New Orleans
Bronze
Malia Suggs - Patrick F. Taylor Academy, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
Congratulations to all medalists and their schools for outstanding achievements in
the NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans Scholarship Competition 2026!