Message from Greater Columbia Chapter President

Columbia, SC

The BDPA Greater Columbia High School Computer Training Program (HSCTP) will start up on Saturday, March 12, 2011 and run through Saturday, July 23, 2011. The first class has an orientation hour starting at 8:30am. All students and at least one parent are requested to attend. Class will then start at approximately 9:30am and go to 1:30pm.

There are some changes this year:

1. We have a new location! Classes will now meet at IT-ology, the new facility for the Consortium for Enterprise System Management (CESM). CESM sponsored our chapter's travel to the national BDPA high school computer competition (HSCC) championships held last year in Philadelphia.

The facility is located at 1301 Gervais Street - Suite 200 (Near the corner of Marion and Gervais Streets), Columbia, SC. There is parking in the garage next door to the building (you can enter the garage from Gervais Street). I think you will like the new digs.

2. The class is a little longer - 9:30am - 1:30pm (includes time for lunch). We have a couple of new instructors plus we have a more structured curriculum.

3. The Regional High School Computer Competition (HSCC) will be hosted by BDPA Greater Columbia on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The national competition will be in Chicago, IL at the National BDPA Technology Conference and Career Expo on August 3-6, 2011.

4. Students and parents will be required to sign a program commitment agreement. Details will be provided at the orientation on March 12th.

The program fee remains the same as last year - $65.00. If you are planning to be part of the 2011 HSCTP or if you have any questions, please let me know by email or phone (803.414-2461)

Phyllis Coleman, President
BDPA Greater Columbia