Elk Grove, California – June 20, 2023 – Elk Grove, California, celebrated local brilliance as Franklin High School’s ‘Team Half Dome’ triumphed at the 5th annual NorCalCyber Mayors Cup – Greater Sacramento Region. The team’s remarkable victory was highlighted as they presented the perpetual trophy to Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen at a City Council meeting.
The atmosphere at the meeting was electric, with the presence of the five team members, their coach Chris Shuping, parents, and officials from the school district and the region. Mayor Singh-Allen opened the ceremony with an inspiring message, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity and lauding the team’s dedication to this growing field.
“Your interest in cybersecurity is praiseworthy,” Mayor Singh-Allen addressed the team. “You are dedicating yourself to an amazing career in one of the most important and growing fields throughout the country.”
Sean McNally, from the Cyber Patriot Center of Excellence, Elk Grove USD, also took the opportunity to emphasize the competition’s impact on community growth, local talent retention, and cybersecurity awareness.
In recognition of their extraordinary efforts and mastery of diverse cybersecurity skills, Mayor Singh-Allen presented the members of Team Half Dome with Certificates of Recognition from the city. These accolades encapsulated their diligent preparation, hard work, and the dedication that propelled them to win the esteemed NorCalCyber Mayors Cup competition for the Greater Sacramento Region.
Sharing their unique competition experiences, Jason Huang, Franklin High School Club President, and Cisco Network Specialist, alongside teammates Ethan Ho, Daniel Russel, echoed the sentiment that the Mayor’s Cup was an unparalleled platform for exploring and mastering unique aspects of cybersecurity.
The pivotal role of teamwork emerged as a common theme in the reflections of Team Captain Ethan Ho and Coach Chris Shuping. Coach Bruce Nguyen of the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps teams also applauded all the participating teams for their performance and enthusiasm.
Vice Mayor Kevin Spease took a moment to express profound gratitude to the supporting cast behind the success story – the educators and parents. “Your groundwork instills hope for continued success, possibly a 5-Peat, 6-Peat or even a 7-Peat! It’s a commendable accomplishment and for that, I thank you all,” Spease stated, highlighting the far-reaching impact of their efforts.
Katherine Goyette, Computer Science Coordinator, CA Dept of Education, underscored the competition’s importance, emphasizing its role in equipping students with relevant and vital cybersecurity skills for today’s workforce.
Team Half Dome not only scored the highest points (1840 out of 2160) in the high school division for the Greater Sacramento Region but also outshone 70 teams, consisting of 450 students from middle schools, high schools, and community colleges across the state.
The NorCalCyber Mayors Cup was made possible by the generous funding from the Sacramento County Office of Education Strong Workforce Program. The event was seamlessly designed, managed, and executed by synED, a California non-profit organization demonstrating their commitment to fostering cybersecurity talent in the region.
About the California Mayors Cyber Cup
The California Mayors Cyber Cup fosters cybersecurity knowledge and skills in students across the state, encouraging a new generation of cybersecurity professionals. The Mayors Cyber Cup plays a crucial role in California’s regional communities by focusing on increasing cybersecurity awareness among local government, businesses, and individuals. Our ambition is to nurture a future cybersecurity workforce by giving students early insights into cybersecurity jobs in their local community. By fostering a connected community, we enable meaningful interactions between students and employers right from the start of their career pathway.
About the Sacramento County Office of Education
The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) provides technical assistance, curriculum and instructional support, staff development, legal and financial advice, and oversight to Sacramento County school districts. SCOE plays a leadership role in the delivery of quality education to the students in Sacramento County. SCOE directly educates more than 30,000 children and adults and provides support services to more than 249,000 students in 13 school districts.
Visit the NorCal Cyber Competition Site
