2009 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) Rankings

The 2009 National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championships were held in Raleigh NC. We had 23 teams competing in 2009 ... tied for the highest chapter participation with efforts in 2004 and 2008.

There were a number of technical challenges during the national competition the 2009 competition. However, national HSCC coordinator Danna Sturdivant and her team were patient, professional and persistent throughout the entire week ... and the competition was successfully completed.

All of BDPA-nation was reminded at the end of the week that any HSCC team must be at the top of their game to defeat the Rochester MN team ... BDPA Southern Minnesota won the 2009 National HSCC championship ... their 4th championship in the past 5 years. The five students (James Arama, Yaa Kwansa, Ahmed Mahamad, Daniel Sheppard and Adwait Walimbe) under the direction of their coach (Zack Garbow) and chapter president (Nat Calvert) proved to be too much for the other teams.

BDPA Detroit chapter earned their highest ranking since 2000 with their second place finish in this year's national championship. BDPA Washington DC chapter students earned Bemley Scholarships for the 4th year in a row with their third place finish this year.

BDPA Education & Technology Foundation (BETF) is proud to note that we provided financial support to over half of the HSCC teams that competed this year ... including the Bemley Scholarshps provided to the top five (5) performing chapters in the national HSCC championships.

Here are the rankings for all 23 teams that competed in 2009 national HSCC championships with the scholarship winnings for each student in parenthesis:

1. Southern Minnesota ($2,500 Bemley Scholarship for each student)
2. Detroit ($2,000 each)
3. Washington DC ($1,500 each)
4. Twin Cities ($1,000 each)
5. New York ($500 each)
6. Baltimore
7. Los Angeles
8. Chicago
9. Atlanta
10. Charlotte
11. St. Louis
12. New Jersey
13. Cincinnati
14. Richmond
15. Indianapolis
16. Middle Tennessee
17. Philadelphia
18. Triangle
19. Greater Columbia
20. Cleveland
21. Hartford
22. Columbus
23. Greater Tampa Bay

Our foundation seeks to increase the number of students that receive Bemley Scholarships in 2009 and beyond. To do so, we need your help. Please consider making an online donation to help us interest young people in science and technology.

Finally, I encourage you to share your thoughts and memories of the 2009 National BDPA Conference held in Raleigh NC with others in this online community.