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The US Navy agreed to participate in the 2013 BDPA Technology Conference as part of its Diversity and Student Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach programs. The Navy Recruiting Command is taking the lead for this event with a focus on workshops for students, parents and industry which foster year round engagement with BDPA for youth interested in STEM careers. Also, the Navy Recruiting Command will coordinate the presentation of their booth at the BDPA Career Fair on August 16-17, 2013 in Washington DC. There is a rich history between BDPA and the US Navy.  In 2010, Admiral Gary Roughead, then Chief Naval Officer, invited BDPA co-founder Earl Pace to the Pentagon to discuss expanded partnership between Navy and BDPA.  Adm. Roughead felt Navy should expand its outreach engagements with BDPA over the next few years as BDPA is the only cyber-focused affinity group identified by the Navy.  This increased partnership now includes expanded year-round STEM-Intelligence/Cyber engagements with local BDPA chapters. Earlier this year, Raven Stevenson, one of the alumni members of the BDPA High School Computer Competition program graduated from Duke University as a Navy Ensign becoming the organization's first student member to do so.  Raven attended Duke University on a full Navy ROTC scholarship (valued at $180,000) that she earned at the 2009 BDPA Technology Conference.  Raven tells the story best herself in this video! Another BDPA HSCC alumni student, Joseph Huggins, Jr. is on the journey as well.  He accepted a commission with the US Navy in 2010.
BDPA looks forward to supporting the efforts of the Navy to identify additional information technology talent ... both seasoned professionals and young people ... during our upcoming conference.  Kudos to BDPA account manager Perry Carter and National Office administrator Lesley Menor for working with the Navy to see this sponsorship renewal through to its conclusion.