JROTC CyberPatriots gain national recognition

By Hailey Massey
Assistant Editor |

Through the course of the school year, the JROTC/ETA CyberPatriot team has excelled through their entire competition season, earning them national placements and titles. The team, coached by the Engineering Technology Academy teacher Josh Beck, is currently ranked first in Army JROTC schools and recently placed third out of all JROTC CyberPatriot teams at all service nationals in Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally, they were the only team from NEISD to attend nationals.

CyberPatriot is a cyber security training and competition organization that teaches cadets how to protect and defend against online threats. Within their competition layout, the teams must go through a cyber security simulation and complete more objectives than other teams in three hours. Excelling within CyberPatriots offers many benefits and resources such as scholarship opportunities and potential future careers in cyber security. In fact, those on the competitive team for each earned $1,000 in scholarships for their placements at a national level.

“My time as the commander on CyberPatriot has taught me a lot. I’ve learned how to be a leader, take care of my team, and condition them to be the best they can be,” commander of the CyberPatriot Team, Samantha Peace said, “I’m so proud of everyone. The guys I have on my team have put tremendous amounts of effort in to what they do. We’re dedicated, and I can’t wait to see what heights the team reaches next season.”