By Raymond Jackson
Contributing Writer
On Friday, January 3, a group of young intellectuals brought in the 2014 new year with the Ninth Annual Twin Cities Chapter Awards Ceremony for youth from grade school, high school and college. This event was held to recognize their High School Technology Program achievements.
recognized, including (l-r) Sifora Tek-Lab, Danielle Roberson, Brandon Roberson and Julien Jean-Pierre
BDPA participants meet on Saturdays throughout the year, and this annual event recognizes the youth for completing the program. This year’s theme, Diverse Opportunities in the Age of Convergence, was presented by Daniel C. Brown, director of productivity through technology initiative for Xcel Energy. Brown also delivered the keynote address.
Upon arrival at the downtown Minneapolis Radisson Hotel for this well-attended event, the musical melodies that welcomed attendees, performed by 14-year-old high school freshman Michael Carter Jr. on keyboards and saxophonist Willie Moore, were phenomenal. They performed several selections from Carter’s debut CD, The Future, which is classified as urban contemporary jazz.
Twenty-seven Minneapolis and St. Paul high schools participate in the BDPA High School Technology Program, and both instructors and students were recognized. The attendees seemed to have the same conceptual thoughts: Here are our future scientists and technological experts.
The 2013 BDPA Corporate Supporter of the Year went to Xcel Energy for the third consecutive year.
Raymond Jackson welcomes reader response to Rayjack49@yahoo.com.
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