BDPA Cincinnati chapter plans to give out $1,000 scholarships each of the five (5) students that earn a spot on the city's national team competing at the 29th annual BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championships being held Aug 14-17, 2013 in Washington DC.

The mission of the BDPA Cincinnati chapter is to support local information technology (IT) professionals and increase the number of historically under-represented persons of color in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas.

This Crowdrise Project seeks to raise $5,000 to fully fund these college scholarships for the 2013 HSCC team.  Our hope is that we can find 10 people to join our fundraising team.

WHO WAS BRANDON BERRY?

This memorial scholarship was created to honor Brandon Berry (1984-2008). Brandon was a gifted young man who traveled around the world. He obtained his Computer Science degree from Ohio State University and was working on a Masters when he died.

Brandon's dream was to become an entrepreneur with computer sales and internet services business. In fact, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial skills with a business that he started in high school and continued while in college.

Brandon joined BDPA Cincinnati chapter as a Hughes High School student in 1999. He was part of our first-ever computer camp and later earned his way on the chapter's national HSCC teams in 1999-2000. The photo shows Brandon with the trophy his team winning silver medal at the 2000 national HSCC championships held in Washington DC. Brandon was captain of that team.

WHAT IS HIGH SCHOOL COMPUTER COMPETITION?

HSCC is a computer instructional program available to Cincinnati area students in grades 8 through 12. Participating students receive quality instruction in basic computer skills, computer programming languages, website development, database design public speaking and career development. BDPA student competitions and projects are an important key to help prepare students to be effective professional IT professionals.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE and FUN

Providing students with education, experience and fun is what the national HSCC championship is all about. The competition has three parts: Team oral exam, Individual written test, and Team website development. The highlight of the event is the 7 hour requirements based website and database design and development competition.

Through involvement in the competition, students will gain practical experience in the design of web based applications, programming languages, requirements gathering, needs analysis and test & development. Also, they will also develop skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, fundraising and time management.

Please MAKE A DONATION or JOIN OUR TEAM so that we can make a difference with the young people in Cincinnati.