With her permission, I'm sharing this e-mail I received from the parents of HSCCT alumi Lee Reed.  I don't know about you, but its stories like this one that cause me to renew my membership and recommit to the organization every year. 

----- Forwarded Message ----
From:
To: Gibran McDuffie <gibran_adejele@prodigy.net>
Sent: Saturday, October 4, 2008 2:45:55 PM
Subject: Thank you...Benefits of BDPA HSCCT (Parent's Perspective)

Mr. Gibran:
 
As you know, we are so appreciative of the experience and knowledge that Lee has gained as a student member of BDPA!  Because of BDPA, Lee is comfortable speaking with C-level executives, as well as his peers.  This past summer, Lee interned with JP Morgan Chase, a BDPA supporter.  Because of the comfort level that Lee gained speaking with executives through his BDPA involvement, the CFO of his division at JP Morgan Chase, as well as other top-ranking executives, became his personal mentors.

BDPA teaches the students teamwork and networking skills; how to facilitate meetings,  deliver speeches, plan, organize and execute, in addition, to programming.  In addition, Lee was taught how to conduct himself at conventions, and has traveled to Detroit, Cincinatti, Dallas, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Atlanta with BDPA. 
 
When Lee applied to colleges, he was able to demonstrate skills by reference in
his college and scholarship applications, because he learned them through BDPA. 
Lee was accepted with scholarships to: Duke, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern,
Georgia Tech, University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan.  He is currently
enrolled at the University of Michigan in engineering.  He was awarded the
U of M Bell scholarship, ($80,000), primarily, because of his computer skills and other skills he acquired as a member of BDPA.  All in all, Lee received
$150,000 in total scholarships (full-ride), that will be used toward tuition,
room and board and fees at U of Michigan.
 
Colleges are looking for students with the background that BDPA teaches its students. I encourage all parents to introduce BDPA to other students, families and friends. Lee plans on being a lifetime member of BDPA, and will be a participant at future events and conventions, further expanding his knowledge base.
 
Thank you,
 
Mr. and Mrs. Reed 
Lee Reed's parents
 
(Feel free to forward our parent's perspective, above, on the benefits of BDPA.)