Spring 2016

CTC students
top in state i n
cybersecurity
competition
submitted by Susan Rhem-Westhoff, Internet, Network & Security
Technologies Instructor for the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center,
231-767-3676 or swesthof@muskegonisd.org
After completing two preliminary rounds
of CyberPatriot – the National Youth
Cyber Defense Competition, three teams
of high school students from the
MACTC have earned the highest
scoring “Platinum Tier” ranking.
They are three of four teams in
Michigan to do so.
Led by Instructor Susan Rhem-
Westhoff, the team of students
excelled in the state round held
in late January. The students
demonstrated teamwork, critical
thinking skills, and technical
knowledge key to a successful
career in cybersecurity. The teams’
performances earned them a spot
in the Platinum Midwest Regional
Round held on February 19, 2016.
The students are currently awaiting
their results.
“This is the first time we have
competed in this event and I am
so proud of their success. In the
regional round, we competed
against teams from all 50 states and
Canada. Their performance was
exceptional!” said Rhem-Westhoff.
In each contest, the student teams
were challenged to find and resolve
cybersecurity vulnerabilities in
simulated environments and were
then scored on their work. The
“Space Jam” team earned second
place in MI with team members:
Kyle Wilcox and Shane Drum of
Orchard View; John Wilbur of
Whitehall; Jacob Blackmore of
Oakridge; and Cameron Lanore of
Fruitport. Placing third in the state
is team “Gold Savages” with team
members: Jakob Hicks and James
Zuidema of Reeths-Puffer; Jordan
Lathrop of Muskegon; and Charles
Engquist, Julian Crawford, and Dionasio
Mendiola of Orchard View. Ranked
Team Space Jam Left to right: Shane Drum (Orchard View),
Kyle Wilcox (Orchard View), Cameron Lanore (Fruitport),
and John Wilbur (Whitehall).
Team Gold Savages Left to right: Julian Crawford
(Orchard View), Jakob Hicks (Reeths-Puffer), Jordan Lathrop
(Muskegon), Dionasio Mendiola (Orchard View), James
Zuidema (Reeths-Puffer), Charles Engquist (Orchard View) and
Jacob Blackmore (Oakridge) from Team Space Jam.
Team 01000111 01000111 Left to right: Kyle Knight
(Oakridge), Corey Jobes-St. John (Oakridge), Eric Olejarczyk
(Mona Shores), Chad Gemzer (Oakridge), Derek Forner
(Ravenna), and Kellen Timlin (Ravenna).
fourth in the state is team “01000111
01000111,” including members: Chad
Gemzer, Kyle Knight, and Corey Jobes-
St. John of Oakridge; Kellen
Timlin and Derek Forner of
Ravenna; and Eric Olejarczyk of
Mona Shores.
Ultimately, only the top 12 teams
from all across the United States,
Canada, and from Department
of Defense Dependents Schools
abroad will move on to the final
national competition. The 12
winning teams will enjoy an allexpense-paid
trip to Washington,
D.C. for the live National
Finals Competition to compete
for national recognition and
scholarships.
In all, 3,379 teams registered to
compete in CyberPatriot VIII
(the eighth year), including 31
teams from Michigan.
Established by the Air Force
Association, the CyberPatriot
National Youth Cyber Education
Program was created to excite,
educate, and motivate students
toward careers in cyber security
and other science, technology,
engineering and mathematics
(STEM) disciplines critical to our
nation’s future.
The Air Force Association
is a non-profit, independent,
professional military and
aerospace education association.
Their mission is to promote a
dominant United States Air Force
and a strong national defense,
and to honor Airmen and the Air
Force Heritage.