Annual milestone event connects young people to educational and career paths in one of San Antonio’s largest and fastest-growing tech sectors.
03-13-2024
Downloadable Version
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The CyberTexas Foundation, at the forefront of developing and fortifying talent from San Antonio's cybersecurity ecosystem, recently brought together approximately 550 middle and high school students from area schools, as well as over 100 representatives from industry, military and academia, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port as part of the organization's 14th Annual San Antonio Mayor's Cyber Cup and College/Tech Fair.
The students were among the region's participants in CyberPatriot XVI, a yearlong nationwide defensive cybersecurity competition. Of note, San Antonio is by far the community with the largest contingency of participants in the nation; of approximately 5,600 CyberPatriot teams in the United States, 332 hail from the San Antonio region.
The event featured a morning full of cybersecurity-related activities and closed with an awards ceremony luncheon featuring a keynote address from San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
In total, nearly $1 million in scholarships (courtesy of Alamo AFCEA, the Air and Space Forces Association Alamo Chapter, Hallmark University and St. Mary's University), internships (courtesy of Booz Allen) and other prizes (such as paid certification training and computer equipment) were awarded to participants.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg delivers the event's keynote address.
"CyberPatriot is a great foundation, and it brings cybersecurity knowledge to a younger audience and presents it in a way so that it's understandable to younger kids," said student Corinne Kinlaw. "It goes all the way from elementary to college level."
"There are so many amazing programs, and you can find something that gives you the opportunity to pursue what specifically you want to do," added student Brian Kim.
Also joining the students were their teachers, mentors and family members. Additionally, 18 private-sector, educational and industry entities hosted exhibits throughout Boeing Center prior to the awards ceremony to engage students by showcasing their technologies and discussing future educational and career opportunities in cybersecurity and related fields.
