WASHINGTON, DC (bdpatoday®) — This  year marks a historic milestone of four decades of BDPA’s High School Computer Competition (HSCC) and regional coding contests. Founded in 1986 by Dr. Jesse L. Bemley, HSCC has identified, trained, and launched generations of young technologists and junior developers (Jr. Devs) who went on to become software engineers, data scientists, entrepreneurs, and technology executives. Forty years later, competition remains keen as one of the nation’s most rigorous and reliable pipelines of early technical talent. This July in Indianapolis, during BDPA’s 48th Annual National Technology Conference (BDPACON26), that legacy continues center stage.

For CEOs and Deans serious about leading the future of our emerging Ai, FinTech, HealthTech, Quantum, and Robotic technologies alongside local communities, the message is simple. One cannot afford to continue watching from the sidelines while others claim your home-grown talent.

A Message for Deans

Deans of Engineering, Computer Science, and Business schools across the nation proudly promote top-tier programs, robust STEM initiatives, and commitments to innovation. HSCC finalists are precisely the students those programs were built for. These high-GPA student members already know how to code, design APIs, develop applications, and they bring grit, fresh perspectives, and cutting-edge skill sets sharpened through BDPA’s regional and national qualifying rounds. During BDPACON26, Deans may observe Jr. Devs solving complex, real-world engineering problems under intense competitive pressures, a live audition no application, file, or transcript can replicate. Attending in person means meeting these students, their coaches, and their families before offer letters from competing institutions ever arrive.

A Message for CxOs

Industry’s demand for technical talent is relentless, and our next 40 years will carry us well beyond the post-quantum era. Corporations that recruit only from the same familiar channels will keep competing within the same shrinking pools. BDPACON’s qualifying and championship rounds offer something different, a proving ground where tomorrow’s engineers demonstrate rather than merely claim their capabilities. CxOs who attend BDPACON26 gain first access to a competition class celebrating over 40 years of excellence, along with direct relationships with local BDPA chapters, industry SMEs, coordinators, and educators who develop this talent year after year.

Barriers Still Standing

HSCC finalists showcase extraordinary technical brilliance. Yet despite proven capabilities, many of these students still face systemic financial barriers that threaten to stall or end their academic journeys well before they begin. Forty years of excellence deserves more than applause. It deserves investment. Who will clear better paths for them?

A Call to Action

Reaching this 40-year milestone calls for a response that matches its significance, offering comprehensive computer science and data engineering scholarships along with fully funded internships for all HSCC finalists. Picture every finalist in the 2026 championship round departing Indianapolis with their futures assured. This is how organizations and companies establish their presence, influence, and branding for the next forty years.

Timelines

To complete the arrangements for this fall’s 2026 semester, which include corporate or collegiate scholarship packages, internships, or apprenticeships, reach out to National BDPA’s corporate partnership team (bdpa.org) or BDPA’s Education & Technology Foundation (betf.org) prior to or during BDPACON26, taking place from July 15 to 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. All commitments need to be finalized by August 15, 2026.

Forty years with HSCC Alumni has proven where more talent pipelines are. BDPACON26 is where leaders show up for it. New BDPA Student Members are encouraged to join local BDPA Chapters, establish real-world Special Interest Groups (SIGs) with Industry, and attend regional or national BDPACONs.

Contacts

• National BDPA (BDPA™): Judaea Lane and Keith Scott → info@bdpa.org
• SITES/HSCC Testimonials [The BDPA Legacy™ S1.E4]: Raven Stevenson → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2mewuQY31I&list=PLwwkfkXZ4yRoOVlS15L06IM1css8u0AZ2
• SITES/HSCC Testimonials [The BDPA Legacy™ S2.E1]: Indigo Emanuel → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHAiAuYvTY&list=PLwwkfkXZ4yRoOVlS15L06IM1css8u0AZ2
• bdpatoday® Success Stories: Perry Carter → info@bdpatoday.org

Reference Sites:

• bdpa.org | betf.org | bdpatoday.com | itsmfleaders.org | STEMCityUSA.com

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