Hahnville High School students placed first and second in a statewide cybersecurity competition Dec. 12.
At the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, students worked in teams to secure virtual computer systems by identifying and correcting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in simulated environments.
Hahnville students Kaitlyn Zhang, Owen Gaubert, Elliott Savoie, Cooper Miller, Kaleigh Ledet and Logan Baudoin earned first place in the State Gold Division. Students Kairi Broomfield, Isabella LeBlanc, Faith Cronin, Dakota Boudreaux, Colston Blanchard and Riley Thibodeaux earned second place in the State Silver Division.
This year, Hahnville High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps supported four CyberPatriot teams, each composed of six students. Teams began their season in August, participating in monthly training rounds and competitive events designed to build technical skills, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Over the course of the season, students learned to manage operating systems, protect user accounts and defend against cyber threats.
AFJRTOC is a four-year high school elective program focused on developing citizenship, leadership, character and aerospace science.
Master Sgt Richard Lochren, an AFJROTC instructor at Hahnville, said the winning teams worked effectively sharing ideas, skills and trouble shooting.
“They effectively implemented what they had previously learned while competing in the state round competition,” Lochren said. “It is always rewarding to see our cadets work hard and the dedication pay off as their goals are reached.”
Lochren has been an instructor of Hahnville High School’s AFJROTC program since 2017. Master Sgt. Gene Moll is a fellow instructor.
This year, Lochren chose Cadet Broomfield as CyberPatriot Commander, a position that requires encouraging collaboration, patience and increasing technical skills amongst the teams.
“Cadet Broomfield has strong aptitude and passion when engaged in technology-based activities and challenges,” Lochren said. “This made her a perfect choice to be our CyberPatriot Commander.”
Lochren said CyberPatriot is just one of the many activities that students can explore as a cadet at Hahnville High School. Two AFROTC teams will compete in an Academic Bowl Feb. 5. Cadets also compete in competitive drill teams each year, and cadets are currently competing in StellarXplorer, a NASA-like competition where teams use advanced math, science and computer skills to solve simulated orbital and satellite design challenges.
“If you remember the show Big Bang Theory where they solve problems on a big blackboard, it is exactly what our cadets are doing,” Lochren said.
Cadets can also earn their FAA-Drone Commercial License through a newly launched advanced course. Five cadets earned their licenses last semester, Lochren said.
“Sgt Moll and I are firm believers in not letting the cadets dwell on their problems, but to focus on what positive things they can accomplish,” Lochren said. “Adding positive extracurriculars fills their tanks while focusing on negatives only empties those same tanks. Come fill up your tanks in JROTC.”
