Cierra Figaro, a junior at Kentwood, will channel her love of writing and poetry at the Seattle area Afro-American Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics April 20.

The regional competition, which is sponsored by the Seattle chapter of the NAACP, gives high school students of African American descent an opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents in a variety of categories from the arts to science. Students who finish at the top of the regional competition go on to the national competition later in the year.

This year will be the first time that Figaro will compete.

“I chose writing because it is something I enjoy doing,” Figaro said. “Poetry is really complex.”

Figaro will recite a poem she wrote about being a teenager and the connection between people.

“I wanted to be relevant to (the) African American population and teens,” Figaro said.

Students who compete also get the chance to work with and be mentored by professionals in the fields they are competing in, according to Kentwood assistant principal Aida Fraser-Hammer.

“It opens up avenues for kids, whether it’s careers or interests,” Fraser-Hammer said.

The mentorship aspect is one which Figaro is especially looking forward to.

“There are so many doors that can be opened by doing one competition,” Figaro said. “I was hoping to find my talent and gain experience…figure out if this is my passion. I’m hoping I can grow in that.”

Figaro said that for her participating in ACT-SO is also about challenging herself and going beyond her comfort zone and trying new things.

“I’m hoping that as I’m getting older I want to keep doing things like this,” Figaro said. “I want to keep taking chances.”