The NAACP Missouri City & Vicinity Branch’s ACT-SO program is celebrating a major national achievement after Fort Bend
ISD student Sharon Agbebaku earned a gold medal in Spoken Word at the 2026 National ACT-SO Competition, held July 15-19, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. She also received a $2,000 scholarship and technology prize package in addition to her recognition.
Sharon’s achievement marks a significant milestone in her ACT-SO journey. After earning a silver medal in Spoken Word (formerly Poetry Performance) at the 2025 National ACT-SO Competition, she returned to the national stage in 2026 with a mindset of growth. She came back not to defend her title, but to become stronger.
“Last year, Sharon proved that she belonged on the national stage. This year, she was determined to push herself even further. Her gold medal represents her remarkable talent, preparation, and perseverance, and we are incredibly proud of her,” said Sharmia Jones, ACT-SO Committee Chair. “Coming back this year was about more than winning a medal. It was about challenging myself to grow,” said Sharon. “Being surrounded by so many talented students who also worked hard to get there reminded me that I was a part of something bigger than myself.”
The NAACP Missouri City & Vicinity Branch ACT-SO program, led by President Dr. Linda Coleman and ACT-SO Chair Sharmia Jones, serves students in Fort Bend County and surrounding communities. This year, nine students competed locally, with five earning a total of six gold medals across six categories to advance to the national competition.
Sharon Agbebaku was one of five local gold medalists who represented the NAACP Missouri City & Vicinity Branch at the National Competition. The other 2026 national competitors were Oluwatemilorun Longe in Painting, Madison Murphy in Dance
Contemporary and Vocal Contemporary, Hannah Suggs in Dance Modern, and Gabriella Taiwo in Dramatics. Sharon’s achievement adds the fifth national medal earned by a student representing the NAACP Missouri City & Vicinity Branch ACT-SO program since 2022. Local students have earned national medals in multiple categories including Entrepreneurship, Photography, Biology/ Microbiology, and Spoken Word. The 2026 ACT-SO season was made possible through partnerships with local businesses, community leaders, and volunteers who invested in the growth and success of participating students.
