Cyber Security is a club led by Mr. Mann, it is available to all Shadow Ridge students. Students should know, the club is a social club, there are no requirements other than an interest in technology.
This club has been at Shadow Ridge for 8 years and is still going strong, the club has always been led by Mr. Mann and recently with the help of Mr. Schultz. Mr. Mann still enjoys leading this club just as much as when he first started.
Mr. Mann states, “I enjoy getting students interested in a career field where they can use their skills and make $60 – $100K a year. I also love having students get excited about a subject where there are not a lot of people who have the knowledge.” He then stated, “I enjoy teaching students to become trailblazers in the field. They also learn an immense amount about computers and how they function.”
Students in this club compete in multiple competitions. Some are geared towards high school and some towards college. A few of the main ones are – CyberPatriot, Cyber Start, National Cyber League, National Cyber Cup, and the U.S. Cyber Games. CyberPatriot is from August through December. Cyber Start was October through April. NCL has a Fall Season and Spring Season. The National Cyber Cup is in March. The US Cyber games start in May.
The Cyber Club meets Thursdays after school until about 2:30 pm. Competitions are on Saturdays or during the week. There are around 20 people with 10-12 showing up on a weekly basis.
Mr. Mann states, “Competitions are great. I will come in on weekends for competitions. Competitions are a great way for students to get hands-on experience with cybersecurity.”
The competitions test the students’ knowledge of cybersecurity principles in multiple formats, some that are hands-on. There are a lot of other practice cyber games throughout the year. How many people compete in these competitions however varies. There were about 60 students for CyberPatriot, there were about 150 for Cyber Start (but it is a class assignment also), Shadow has about 20 for NCL, and some smaller competitions might have 5 or 6.
Junior Tanner Hardman says, “I have competed in so many competitions it’s the best part of the club and class. I have not won but I have placed well. Some of these are cyberpatriot where my team got second in the state for the gold tier.” He proceeded, “My favorite competition is National Cyber League because it is hard and is mostly problem solving not purely knowledge.”
Students enjoy not only the structure of the club and the competitions etc. but they also love the social aspect to the club.
Hardman stated, “I have competed in so many competitions; it’s the best part of the club and class. I have not won but I have placed well. Some of these are cyberpatriot where my team got second in the state for the gold tier. My favorite competition is National Cyber League because it is hard and is mostly problem solving not purely knowledge.”
All Shadow Ridge students have the option of joining this club that gives them a real experience while allowing them to have a lot of fun as well.
