2 minute read

A Cyber-Quest Odyssey: Return of the Cadet Overlords

In the latest chapter of the epic CyberPatriot saga, where young minds valiantly attempt to conquer the perilous realm of virtual networks, two teams of the illustrious Civil Air Patrol cadets have decided to brave the national stage yet again. Clearly undeterred by the odds stacked against them, the New Jersey Wing’s Raritan Valley Composite Squadron delights us with a third heroic (or perhaps quixotic) charge, while the Virginia Wing’s Burke Composite Squadron boldly embarks on a sequel to their previous stab at cyber-victory.

The calendar is marked for March 14-18, as two cadets from the Burke lineage prepare to relive their Bethesda, Maryland glory days. Meanwhile, our rookie squad from Raritan Valley makes their national debut, presumably armed with nothing more than their first-season enthusiasm and perhaps some actual cybersecurity knowledge.

Raritan Valley’s Intrepid Newbies:

  • Cadet Maj. Alex Swider: The Strategist
  • Cadet 1st Lt. Brielle DuBois: The Technophile
  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Mohnish Devarajulu: The Code Whisperer
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Sukesh Tank: The Firewall Enforcer
  • Cadet Master Sgt. Rishabh Kannan: The Encryption Guru
  • Cadet Tech. Sgt. Sharanya Devarajulu: The All-seeing Circuit Seer

Guided by the venerable 1st Lt. Giri Sonty, with Capt. Carol Faaland-Kronmaier bestowing cryptic cyber wisdom, the Raritan Valley troop gallantly enters their third consecutive finals. Does experience pay off in the cyber arena, or just rack up frequent flyer miles?

Burke’s Sophomoric Dynasty:

  • Cadet Maj. Ronald Zhang: The Protocol Pioneer
  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Taiyo Lloyd: The Malware Marauder
  • Cadet 2nd Lt. Brisha Uprety: The Network Ninja
  • Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Cora Newman: The Packet Plant
  • Cadet Senior Airman Levi Newman: The IP Enthusiast

Coached by the indefatigable Caroline Ren, with wise counsel from Capt. Sara Demyanovich and sage mentorship by Tech. Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Groff, the Burke squadron gears up for another round in the cybersecurity coliseum.

Organized by the mighty Air & Space Forces Association, CyberPatriot remains the largest cyber melee, aiming to convert unsuspecting high schoolers into cybersecurity aficionados or, at the very least, enthusiastic wannabes in STEM disciplines. In this digital Colosseum, students are handed virtual networks, a hefty dose of stress, and are expected to snatch resolution from the clutches of virtual doom.

With 1,390 teams, the All Service Division—a veritable alphabet soup of ROTCs and cadet corps—awaits the triumphant emergence of these cyber warriors. Each contestant dreams of joining the elite band of champions who, since 2011, have triumphed thrice (in 2011, 2012, and 2017), secured the silver three times (in 2010, 2015, and 2020), and clutched the bronze five times (in 2010, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022). Meanwhile, the Open Division boasts 2,890 high school hopefuls, while middle schoolers, in a bold move to dominate prepubescent networks, stake their claim on a separate battlefield with 754 teams.

And now, as the countdown to the cyber clash begins, one question looms: Who will rise from this digital skirmish as the undisputed cyber overlords, and who will return to their true calling of battling homework and curfew? Stay tuned.

Updated: