Imagine being part of a cybersecurity competition where teams from across the country test their skills in defending digital systems and solving complex challenges. This is the world of the Peddie CyberPatriots — and on Saturday, December 13, the team earned the impressive milestone of qualifying for the State-level round of this prestigious national competition.

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association. The program introduces middle and high school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity by tasking them with securing computer systems and networks from cyber threats. Teams compete in simulated environments where they must find and fix vulnerabilities, secure operating systems, and defend against “attacks,” all while racing against the clock.

In the State Round of the competition, Peddie was represented by four teams, competing across multiple divisions. One team advanced to the highly competitive Platinum tier, while two teams competed in the Gold tier and one team in the Silver tier. Their participation across these levels highlights both the depth and dedication of the Peddie’s CyberPatriot program. Despite the difficulty of the competition, students found the experience both engaging and rewarding.  Reflecting on the experience, Logan Huang ’27 described the competition as both demanding and enjoyable. “The first round was challenging, but it was fun,” he said. “We spent four hours on it, I mean, it was a good experience.”

Preparation played a key role in the team’s success. When asked how the team practiced, Huang explained that they completed multiple practice rounds and relied on online tutorials to improve their skills. “We did a lot of practice rounds and watched a bunch of YouTube tutorials,” he added.

Through hours of preparation and teamwork, students gained valuable hands-on experience in cybersecurity, skills that extend beyond the competition itself. As the team continues to grow and refine their abilities, their performance at the state-level round stands as a testament to the strength and dedication of Peddie’s CyberPatriot program.