Teens to perform at ACT-SO showcase

Published 10:00 am Saturday, June 16, 2018

Members of the public interested in seeing some talented teens perform are invited to a special showcase set for next week.

Kennedy Malone and her first cousin, Janaya Malone, were recently selected to perform at the National ACT-SO competition in San Antonio, Texas, July 12-16. They will next perform June 22 at a local showcase at the Athens Senior Center, 912 W. Pryor St. The show begins at 7 p.m.

Those who attend will get a preview of what the Malones will be performing in Texas. Kennedy Malone will perform Adele’s “When We Were Young,” while Janaya Malone will perform “Funeral,” a dramatic monologue. The piece was recommended to her by local ACT-SO coordinator and Athens City Councilman Frank Travis.

This was the first year for Janaya to compete in the ACT-SO competition, which was held in April. To qualify for the national competition, contestants must receive a 95 or higher from judges.

Sponsored by the NAACP, ACT-SO — an acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics — is a yearlong achievement program designed to encourage, stimulate and recruit academic and cultural achievement among high school students.

There are 32 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, performing arts, visual arts and business. Malone appreciated the chance to work with mentors as part of the program.

“It’s been an amazing year,” she said of her experience with the organization. “They are very flexible, and I love that. With all we have going on and with our schedules this year, they work well with their kids.”

In addition to performances by the Malone cousins, singing group Committed from Southside Church of Christ will perform at the showcase. The Difference, a group of young singers that features the Malone cousins, is also set to perform.

The showcase will also serve as an opportunity for the public to donate to help send the Malones to Texas to compete at the national competition.