Key Takeaways:
- The DCHS Cyber Tooth Tigers, a six-member team, ranked 14th out of 40 teams nationally in their first-ever CyberPatriot competition.
- The team received hands-on instruction and real-world experience in cybersecurity concepts, including online safety, system protection, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program partnered with DTC to provide students with access to the CyberPatriot program.
- The partnership aims to expose students to cybersecurity and STEM career opportunities, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and increase awareness of digital responsibility and online safety.
- The program plans to expand technology-based learning opportunities, grow student participation, and explore additional career-readiness experiences in the future.
Introduction to the Cyber Tooth Tigers
The DCHS Cyber Tooth Tigers, a newly formed six-member team of the DCHS afterschool program, have achieved a remarkable feat in their first-ever CyberPatriot competition. The team, consisting of Aiden Amanti, Bratten Cook IV, Jonah Maynard, Jaxon Mickle, Trystan Quigley, and Zachary Sparks, ranked 14th out of 40 teams nationally. This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication to learning cybersecurity concepts, including online safety, system protection, problem-solving, and teamwork.
The 21st CCLC Program and Partnership with DTC
The Cyber Tooth Tigers’ participation in the CyberPatriot competition was made possible through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, which partnered with DTC to provide students with access to the CyberPatriot program. The 21st CCLC program aims to provide students with hands-on instruction and real-world experience in cybersecurity concepts, as well as expose them to STEM career opportunities. DTC, a local business, supports the program by sharing industry expertise, technology resources, and mentorship, helping students connect classroom learning to high-demand career pathways in technology and cybersecurity.
The CyberPatriot Competition
The CyberPatriot competition is a nationally recognized cybersecurity education initiative created by the Air & Space Forces Association. The competition requires teams to work together to identify and fix vulnerabilities in computer systems, with the goal of protecting networks from outside attacks. The Cyber Tooth Tigers scored 47 out of 100 points and found 11 out of 20 vulnerabilities during the competition, demonstrating their understanding of cybersecurity concepts and practices. Ed Massey, Department head with DTC network and operations and Cyber Tooth Tigers Co-Coach, stated that the students learned about the practices, safety, and how to defend networks from outside attacks and from different types of events to help make the networks and software applications more reliable.
The Partnership’s Impact on Students
The partnership between the 21st CCLC program and DTC has had a significant impact on the students involved. Two members of the Cyber Tooth Tigers, Bratten Cook IV and Zachary Sparks, shared their experiences and expressed their enthusiasm for the program. Cook, a sophomore, stated that he joined the program because he had friends who were participating and found it to be something fun to do. Sparks, a senior, explained that he was interested in learning about cybersecurity to keep things safe on the web and to understand how to make better passwords. Both students appreciated the opportunity to learn about cybersecurity and develop their skills in a hands-on and interactive way.
Benefits to Students and the Community
The partnership between the 21st CCLC program and DTC has numerous benefits for students and the community. Students gain exposure to cybersecurity and STEM career opportunities at an early age, develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, and increase their awareness of digital responsibility and online safety. The partnership also creates strengthened connections between schools, families, and local industry partners, preparing students for future workforce demands while supporting academic growth, innovation, and community development.
Future Outlook
The success of the CyberPatriot partnership has positioned the 21st CCLC program to continue expanding technology-based learning opportunities. Plans for the future include growing student participation, deepening collaboration with DTC, and exploring additional career-readiness experiences. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing students for future workforce demands while supporting academic growth, innovation, and community development. By combining after-school academic support with industry-driven enrichment, the 21st CCLC and DTC partnership is helping students build skills that will serve them well in school, careers, and an increasingly digital world.
