The Cypress Falls High School Air Force Junior ROTC CyberPatriot Team made school history by advancing to the National Semifinals of the worldwide Cyber Competition. Six students signed up to compete in the CyberPatriot Competition when it was offered by their ROTC teacher. The students that make up the school’s CyberPatriot Team are: John Gaukle(12), Itzel Hernandez(11), Julia Monaghan(10), Alexis Huertas(09), Logan Estrada(09) and Sara Medina(10).

Students participating in the CyberPatriot Competition compete in teams to fix cybersecurity vulnerabilities in virtual operating systems, and teams are scored on how secure they make the system.

“CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.” Lieutenant Colonel Echols said.

It doesn’t matter how much students know about cyber security in order to partake in the competition. Students can be either a beginner or advanced in the inner workings of cyber security. All students of every level are welcome to compete.

“It’s basically about cyber security and we’re just trying to buff up a PC against cyber attack,” Estrada said.

Teams are provided with videos and material to help practice for upcoming competitions and can practice as many times as they feel necessary. 

“I take the questions from the last competition round, the ones I had problems with, and

just research them and all that,” Gaukle said.

There are new aspects of computer science for students to learn about while competing. The simulations provide them with great practicing material that will enhance their knowledge on the mechanisms of cyber security.

“Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC has encouraged participation in this program since its inception 13 years ago,” Lieutenant Colonel Echols, teacher of the ROTC program, said.

Every round, except for the National Finals Competition, takes place online. Teams are free to meet and compete from any location with their team. Students who participate in the CyberPatriot Competition have a chance at job offers and students who score high are more likely to be targeted by companies and given great opportunities. 

This is only Cypress Falls ROTC’s second year competing in CyberPatriot.

“Other JROTC programs in CFISD have been participating longer (CyFair), they helped us get started.” Lieutenant Colonel Echols said.

The CyberPatriot team at Cypress Falls is excited to be advancing into the semifinals and are preparing for the big event.

“Absolutely thrilled and shocked at the same time,” Lieutenant Colonel Echols said.  “I am excited for them.”