LORTON, VA (BDPA Northern Virginia) – Building on the team’s momentum of a historic national coding victory, National BDPA’s Northern Virginia Chapter (BDPA NoVa) officially kicked off its 2026 High School Computer Competition (HSCC) season on Saturday, January 24. This event brought together students, parents, tech professionals, junior developers (Jr. Devs) and HSCC Alumni to begin another journey toward a new year of coding excellence.

The kick-off was held in the state-of-the-art community center facility in Lorton, VA where the team will continue to meet and practice every weekend. This modern space provides students and coaches with high-tech classrooms, resources, and collaborative environments necessary to master data structures, web development, DevSecOps, and software engineering principles. Under its Student I.T. Education & Scholarship (SITES) portfolio, BDPA also offers gaming, eSports, and robotics.

Defending their Crown

The atmosphere at the kick-off was electric, fueled by the chapter’s recent triumph in Atlanta during BDPACON ’25. Last year, BDPA’s NoVa HSCC team outpaced top talent from across the country to capture the National HSCC coding championship, proving that Northern Virginia remains a premier hub for our next generation of top tech talent.

Perry Carter, National BDPA’s Immediate Past President, delivered opening remarks. “Winning this coding championship sets a high bar, and seeing the energy of our new students, we remain confident that they aren’t just defending a title—a new legacy is forming across the National Capital Region (NCR) as HSCC reaches year 40.”

Empowering Future Innovators

The HSCC program is more than just a coding competition; it is a pipeline for leadership. Students undergo rigorous training in:

• Full-stack web development
• Database management
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Project management

This kick-off event served as an orientation for new Jr. Devs and a reunion of sorts for returning HSCC alumni and champions, setting the stage for upcoming regional and national HSCC competitions.

^{– Source: BDPA NoVa}

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About BDPA Northern Virginia

BDPA was founded in 1975. Formerly known as Black Data Processing Associates, National BDPA’s Northern Virginia Chapter is dedicated to providing students and professionals in the DMV area with the skills, mentorship, and professional networking opportunities required to thrive in our evolving digital economy.

About the HSCC

BDPA’s renowned High School Computer Competition (HSCC) was founded in 1986 by Dr. Jesse Bemley to introduce high school students to the world of computer science, data processing, and information technology. Now in its 40th year, it has since evolved into a premier national program that prepares students from traditionally underserved communities for exciting technical careers.

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