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Wilson High JROTC and cybersecurity teams highlight national placements, internships and summer expansion plans
Summary
At the May 19 Wilson School Board meeting, JROTC leaders and the district's cyber instructors reported competition placements, internship outcomes and plans to expand middle-school cybersecurity and robotics programming.
Wilson School District's JROTC instructors and cybersecurity coaches described a year of competition success and program expansion at the board's May 19 meeting. Major Niu and Sergeant Gonzales told the board Wilson students advanced in regional and national competitions, that several students earned internships and scholarships, and that the district plans to grow middle-school cyber teams and summer programming.
The update focused on student outcomes and program growth. Major Niu, representing Wilson High School JROTC, said the cadets logged more than 500 community service hours this year and supported events ranging from prom set-up to a county veterans appreciation dinner. "Tonight our mission as JRC is to motivate young people to be better citizens," Major Niu said.
Sergeant Gonzales, who presented the cybersecurity update, said the Army GRC Cyber Education Training Program and local partnerships helped expand access. "For their first year, each [middle school] held sessions twice a month," Gonzales said, noting two new middle-school teams advanced to state finals and some teams reached national semifinals. At the high school level, he said, Wilson fielded three CyberPatriot teams; one finished 13th nationally and another placed among the international semifinals. Gonzales highlighted that Wilson's cyber varsity team placed eighth at the SANS Foundation Tournament of Champions, competing against professional teams.
Gonzales also described a new internship pathway: student interns Dario Cardenas and Quinn O'Donnell volunteered more than 160 hours mentoring middle-school teams. He said summer plans include leading an AFA CyberPatriot summer camp in partnership with Penn State Berks and pursuing a Northeastern Robot Drone League with a goal of forming 10 teams by the 2026-27 school year.
Cadet Albert, speaking for the student leadership in JROTC, thanked the board and recounted program growth, including an incoming freshman class of more than 40 cadets for next year. The presenters credited teachers, mentors and volunteers for the results and asked the board to continue support for program resources and travel.
The presentation drew praise from board members and the superintendent; board members noted several students received paid internships and scholarships. No formal board action was required on the presentation.
Looking ahead, school staff said they will continue summer internships, competitions and work with higher-education partners to broaden access to cybersecurity and robotics pathways.
