PGIA Students Sharpen Their Security Skills in CyberStart America
/A group of PGIA students are currently competing in the national CyberStart America competition, which involves playing a training game called Cyberstart that develops real-world tech skills and problem-solving abilities. Our students are putting up fantastic numbers!
Cyberstart involves solving different security challenges and is designed for Grades 9-12. Students’ progress is tallied both individually and collectively noted in a national leaderboard.
As a direct result of our school's level of interest, the US Virgin Islands is in the top 5 in per million population registered under the US flag, suprassing even Florida, California and Texas. Our 9th grade class has a strong chance for 100% of those students to reach the Bronze level award of the competition. We are on track to do it!
Huge kudos to the following students (students choose aliases to compete under): JellyBean (Lyle Ratchford), Agent MA, and Mariano33, who are currently our top three in our school. JellyBean is our current leader!
Cyberstart America is separate from the CyberPatriot competition, in which we also show continued success.
“It is so great to work with a school that celebrates the accomplishments of students in sports, arts, tech, community service, activism and supports the accomplishments of all students in the many ways they show interest,” says Mrs. Hoffart, who teaches Computer Science in the PGIA. “The diversity of excellence at VIMSIA is apparent.”
Lyle Ratchford (aka Jellybean) with his leaderboard score.
Lyle is rapidly approaching the point total he needs to become a Silver Award winner. This is an immense accomplishment for any high school student, let alone in his first year of eligibility as a 9th grader. Lyle, Amelie, and Micah have reached National Semifinalist point levels, and when results are final they will be recognized as such. Mariana is very close. And special congratulations to Kaden Fisher, who came in with a monster gain this week of 3800 points.
Bronze Award Winners
Lyle
Micah
Amelie
Micah
Mariana
Zia
Kaden
Lexi
Aurora
Ella P.
Ellis
Natasha
Sophie
Christine
Tristan
Amorae
Maceo
Jahlani
Sinai C.
Amrii is within 100 points of the goal and will reach it soon! Other students who achieved significant gains this week are Gwen, D'Kiesha, and Ella C. T
This is a Bronze award in a national-level cybersecurity competition, an exceptional accomplishment for ninth graders! Our students are demonstrating their ability to not just compete, but succeed at the national level, even when some are still in their early years of eligibility.