Lauren Ravenell Earns 2016 Lilly Scholarship for Ball State University

Lauren Ravenell * Ball State University

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked closely with Eli Lilly & Company to confirm Lauren Ravenell as a winner of the 10th annual Eli Lilly & Company Scholarship for BDPA Students. There were three winners of this scholarship. Lauren is a wonderful person to win this prestigious scholarship.

During high school Lauren was a varsity athlete in Track and Field and Golf. She was also involved in various extracurricular activities such as Student Government and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She was also on the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team for BDPA Indianapolis chapter throughout her four years of high school. She graduated from Westfield High School with a 3.667 GPA and over one hundred hours of community service.

Now she is a sophomore at Ball State University, majoring in Telecommunications with a minor in Computer Science and Spanish. She finished her freshman year at Ball State on the Dean’s List. She was a member of the Black Student Association and Excellence in Leadership. She also enjoyed her time on a student-driven cooking show. This was one of her favorite experiences because Lauren was able to work behind the scenes of a production and learn from my peers as well as mentors. Now, Lauren is a participant in the PhD Pathways Mentoring Program. Upon graduation, she plans to obtain a Master’s degree in Business Administration and afterwards she will seek a PhD.

We asked for Lauren to share her thoughts on BDPA:

Lauren at the IT Showcase

"This past year I participated in the IT Showcase at the 2016 BDPA Technology Conference. In previous years I was a member of the Indianapolis Chapter HSCC Team. The transition from the high school program to the college level program created many opportunities for growth. From participating in the Showcase I was able to gain more experience in research and presentation skills. During the conference I was able to network, take more advantage of the career fair and gain interview experience. The career fair also granted me with increased opportunities for internships.

Lauren is a remarkable young woman. BDPA looks forward to following her career as she progresses through college and on into her career! You can follow Lauren on Twitter: @lauren_ravenell.

BDPA Indianapolis High School Computer Competition Team (2013)

BDPA Indianapolis chapter was founded in August 2004. They are a relatively young chapter with big dreams as evidenced by the fact that they will be hosting the 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference in August 2014. But, first things first ... the chapter is working hard to build a legacy with its Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

In its fifth year, the chapter's SITES program continues to grow with students from 4 different central Indiana high schools. Sessions take place each Saturday morning from 9AM – 2PM. Students receive training in HTML, PHP, and MYSQL as well as general mentorship and the opportunity to develop written and oral communication skills.

L-R: Mya Cruz, James Griffin, Lauren Ravenell
Not Shown: Saivion James, Dominic Alexander, Tim Ford)

This powerful program that provides such meaningful STEM training opportunities to young people in Indianapolis is funded by Eli Lilly, BDPA membership dues and individual supporters like you!

High School Computer Competition (Indianapolis, 2014)

BDPA Indianapolis chapter (founded in August 2004) will be competing for the sixth time in the National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship being held August 6-9, 2014. The chapter will be the 'home team' as the event takes place at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis. It should be a remarkable opportunity for the members and sponsors of the chapter.

BDPA Indianapolis has grown its Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program over the past few years. This year’s program is made up of students from six (6) different central Indiana high schools. Sessions take place each Saturday morning. Students receive training in HTML, PHP and MYSQL as well as general mentorship and the opportunity to develop written, oral communication and presentation skills.

L-R: Saivion James, Lonny Grey, Lauren Ravenell, Mya Cruz
Not Pictured: Elijah Hodge, Andrew Porter

Eli Lilly and Company is the major sponsor for Indianapolis chapter this year. However, we would still love to have your secure online donation to help support this STEM-based youth education program!

2015 Oracle Scholarships for BDPA Students

National BDPA recognized six students for its annual Oracle Scholarship for BDPA Students. The six winners are:

1. LaRae Adams (BDPA Greater Birmingham) - Tuskegee University
2. Yaw Asante (BDPA Cincinnati)- Walnut Hills High School
3. Rariety Monford (BDPA Cincinnati) - North Carolina A&T State University
4. Lauren Ravenell (BDPA Indianapolis) - Ball State University
5. Preethiya Sekar (BDPA Southern Minnesota) - Carleton College
6. Malik Swanson (BDPA Chicago) - Chicago State University

Each of these young people earned a $3,000 college scholarship for their pursuit of a career in Engineering, Computer and Information Science, Computer Engineering or Mathematics.

Eli Lilly Scholarship for BDPA Students (Due: June 2, 2017)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation is proud to open up the application period for any graduating high school student or current college student interested in the 11th Annual Eli Lilly and Company Scholarship for BDPA Students!

The purpose of the Lilly/BDPA Scholarship is to recognize outstanding minority students, with an interest in information technology, who make significant contributions to society. Applicants must excel academically, show exceptional leadership potential, and make an impact on their communities through service to others.

Lilly/BDPA Scholars will be awarded a $2.500 scholarship that may be used to pursue an information technology focused degree at an accredited four-year college or university of their choice. The Lilly/BDPA Scholarship may be used to supplement benefits from the college or university a student plans to attend and fellowships from other foundations or organizations. Students may use the scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other college-related expenses.

Scholarship winners will be selected based on the application, essay, and letters of recommendation.

To be eligible for Lilly/BDPA Scholarship, each applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Be a member of BDPA
• Be a graduating high school senior or current college student in good standing at the time of their application.
• Be pursuing a degree in information systems, computer science, computer engineering, or a computer science related discipline.
• Demonstrate academic achievement (minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0)
• Exhibit leadership ability through academic or civic involvement and participate in community service activities

Complete application packet must include the following:

1. Application Form
2. Current official sealed transcript (for high school applicants, your transcript MUST include your senior year grades)
3. 500-word essay on “Why Information Technology is Important and How it Has Changed Our Day-to-Day Lives”
4. Two signed letters of recommendation
5. Passport-sized photo

Click here to download application!

Scholarships will be awarded only to students who fully meet the scholarship requirements. All application materials must be RECEIVED by June 2, 2017 in order to be eligible.  Incomplete, e-mailed or faxed applications will not be considered!

We will announce the three (3) winners of the Eli Lilly Scholarship for BDPA Students during the 2017 National BDPA Technology Conference in Indianapolis.   We are very proud of our past Lilly/BDPA scholarship winners:

Cameron Hughes (2013 Scholar)

1. 2007, Daniel Puente (University of Texas)
2. 2007, Christian West (Northwestern University)
3. 2008, Khalia Braswell (North Carolina State University)
4. 2008, Lee Reed (University of Michigan)
5. 2009, Hung Vo (Georgia Institute of Technology)
6. 2009, Carrine Johnson (Palos Verdes Peninsula High School)
7. 2010, Leslie Vasquez (Pike High School)
8. 2010, Gerardo Dominguez (Chicago State University)
9. 2011, Jala Cruz (North Central High School)
10. 2011, Adwait Walimbe (John Marshall High School)
11. 2012, Allen Warner (Valdosta State University)

    

    Dylan Gunn (2014 Scholar)

12. 2013, Risa Christopher (Indiana University)
13. 2013, Cameron Hughes (University of California, San Diego)
14. 2014: Pooja Chebolu (University of Southern California);
15. 2014: Dylan Gunn (North Carolina A&T)
16. 2015: Chelsea Carter (Kettering University)
17. 2015: Deeneva Nikerle (Temple University)
18. 2016: Lauren Ravenell (Ball State University) 
19. 2016: Adrienne Nelson (Florida A&M University)   
20. 2016: Andre Garner (University of Illinois)

Do you know any high school or college kids looking to study in a technology-based field during college? Can they use a $2,500 scholarship? If so, you need to share this information with them right away!

Any questions?