(Black PR Wire) Oscar award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o surprised 40 NAACP youth members on stage at the NAACP 113th Convention, awarding each student a $10,000 scholarship. The students received the scholarships during the ACT-SO award ceremony in Atlantic City, NJ, as part of the NAACP's convention.

ACT-SO is a year-long program targeted at high school students across that country that promotes their growth in disciplines ranging from visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts and provides scholarship opportunities.  

Through the NAACP's partnership with Lancôme, the Write Her Future Scholarship Fund focuses on empowering women through literacy and education, as well as mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities. 

"Since I was a child, I have always had big dreams, and my education has played a huge part in helping me realize them," said Lancôme Ambassadress and Actress, Lupita Nyong'o. "I've always loved learning and I believe that learners change the world. I am so thrilled to join Lancôme, on behalf of their Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, to award this incredible group of women with these game-changing scholarships."

"We're excited to once again provide talented young women across the country the opportunity to further develop their creativity and achieve their academic dreams with purpose and unrestricted passion," said President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Young people are the future. We're excited to see how participants in the program will positively impact their communities and create change for themselves and the next generation."