We’re getting an inside look at a unique program at Lakota Local Schools. It’s preparing students for a career in cybersecurity. The program is making strides and is now gaining national attention. As we’ve reported, last summer in Middletown, a cyberattack crippled the city’s computer system. Last fall, there were two cyberattacks in West Chester Township. This unique program in Lakota is trying to get ahead of these attacks from even happening. Two seniors with the district’s Cyber Academy just got nationally recognized for their achievements in the field and their plans for the future.The Cyber Academy is a training ground where students sharpen real-world skills to prepare them to become cybersecurity experts. “It’s extremely important,” Lakota West senior Caleb Kingan said. “Everything’s online now. Our bank information, our credit cards, our identity.””Cybersecurity is just keeping online applications safe from people that want to steal information from them, steal individuals’ information, hack into a company,” Lakota West senior Samantha Boothe said. Samantha and Caleb are just two of the hundreds of students enrolled in the program.”We’re constantly pushing each other,” Kingan said. “There’s different things we’re doing. We’re constantly failing and learning from it.”Both of them were awarded on the national stage. They were 2 of only 8 students nationwide to be recognized in Nashville for National Cyber Signing Day. “We were recognized for our achievements in cybersecurity,” Kingan said. “Things we’ve done outside of school, like internships we’ve gotten, certifications we’ve gotten.” It’s a rare honor and the first time that a school district has had two honorees at once!”Lakota has had somebody chosen every year. So we are a prestigious academy recognized across the nation,” Cyber Academy teacher Jenny Circello said. Circello has been with the academy for a few years now. “It’s so neat to teach students skills that they will actually use in the workforce to protect other people,” Circello said. She says this unique opportunity is one that every student should take part in.”3.6% of all the high school students in the U.S. even have access to a program like this,” Circello said. For Sammy and Caleb, it’s opened doors to a future that is all about protecting others in a way they would have never thought possible. “I like that I can be able to help areas that aren’t just tech,” Boothe said.Most of these students go on to pursue a career in cybersecurity in higher education or the military. This Cyber Academy is the largest of its kind in the Midwest and connects students with professionals and internships.
We’re getting an inside look at a unique program at Lakota Local Schools. It’s preparing students for a career in cybersecurity. The program is making strides and is now gaining national attention.
As we’ve reported, last summer in Middletown, a cyberattack crippled the city’s computer system. Last fall, there were two cyberattacks in West Chester Township. This unique program in Lakota is trying to get ahead of these attacks from even happening.
Two seniors with the district’s Cyber Academy just got nationally recognized for their achievements in the field and their plans for the future.
The Cyber Academy is a training ground where students sharpen real-world skills to prepare them to become cybersecurity experts.
“It’s extremely important,” Lakota West senior Caleb Kingan said. “Everything’s online now. Our bank information, our credit cards, our identity.”
“Cybersecurity is just keeping online applications safe from people that want to steal information from them, steal individuals’ information, hack into a company,” Lakota West senior Samantha Boothe said.
Samantha and Caleb are just two of the hundreds of students enrolled in the program.
“We’re constantly pushing each other,” Kingan said. “There’s different things we’re doing. We’re constantly failing and learning from it.”
Both of them were awarded on the national stage. They were 2 of only 8 students nationwide to be recognized in Nashville for National Cyber Signing Day.
“We were recognized for our achievements in cybersecurity,” Kingan said. “Things we’ve done outside of school, like internships we’ve gotten, certifications we’ve gotten.”
It’s a rare honor and the first time that a school district has had two honorees at once!
“Lakota has had somebody chosen every year. So we are a prestigious academy recognized across the nation,” Cyber Academy teacher Jenny Circello said.
Circello has been with the academy for a few years now.
“It’s so neat to teach students skills that they will actually use in the workforce to protect other people,” Circello said.
She says this unique opportunity is one that every student should take part in.
“3.6% of all the high school students in the U.S. even have access to a program like this,” Circello said.
For Sammy and Caleb, it’s opened doors to a future that is all about protecting others in a way they would have never thought possible.
“I like that I can be able to help areas that aren’t just tech,” Boothe said.
Most of these students go on to pursue a career in cybersecurity in higher education or the military. This Cyber Academy is the largest of its kind in the Midwest and connects students with professionals and internships.
