MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — Two Sparkman High School students were named National Cyber Scholars, an honor they received after winning 48-hour competition designed to evaluate aptitude in combating cyber threats.
According to the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, Casper Casey and Hunter Goffinett were selected for the honor. The foundation says more than 30,000 high school students from across the nation sought to qualify for this year’s competition and only 5,000 advanced to the first round. Of those students, only 600 nationwide performed well-enough to earn the title National Cyber Scholar.
Casper and Hunter were part of the winning group. “I am so proud of these two young men. We pride ourselves at Sparkman High School in helping students achieve their greatest potential. This is evidence of that. To have two national winners in one school is remarkable,” stated Sparkman principal Chris Shaw.
Superintendent Allen Perkins added, “The Madison County School System supports the whole child. That means we work with our students to help them find success in every area in life. If we see a specific skill in a student, we encourage growth in that area. I am so proud of these two young men from Sparkman High.”
Each student also picked up a $2,500.00 scholarship and an invitation to participate in the Cyber Foundation Academy, a multi-week skill building and certification course.
From the National Cyber Scholar organization:
The National Cyber Scholarship program will award college scholarships of $2,500 to at least 600 U.S. high school students to recognize their talent, and encourage them to become part of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. These are the the young people who will protect the privacy and security of Americans in every industry and government organization.