Erie High junior earns CCNA certification; district highlights career pathways
Summary
Erie High School junior Jacob Trujillo was recognized October 22 by the St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education after completing the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification over the summer through the district’s Innovation Center Opportunity to Climb program.
The St. Vrain Valley School District Board of Education recognized Jacob Trujillo, a junior at Erie High School, on Oct. 22 after he completed the Cisco Certified Network Associate certification, a widely recognized networking credential.
Principal Josh Griffin introduced Trujillo and his family during the meeting’s student recognition segment. Trujillo told the board he learned about the Opportunity to Climb pathway through advisory, chose the Cisco track and completed two Cisco certifications: a technician-level credential during the school year and the CCNA — a two‑hour exam that the district described as “much harder” — over the summer. He said he passed the CCNA on his first try and finished the certification work in under three months.
The district’s presentation noted the CCNA is widely used across North America and that the Innovation Center provides mentorship and industry connections the district said help students build technical skills and workplace-readiness skills such as resume building and networking. Trujillo told the board the program allowed him to use self-selected study resources and to benefit from mentorship offered by the district’s Innovation Center.
Board members praised Trujillo’s achievement. Dr. Jackie Capuchin described his accomplishment as “outstanding,” noting that some adults take much longer to earn the credential. President Ragland and several board members encouraged Trujillo to consider cybersecurity careers in the district and thanked his family for supporting him.
The recognition segment concluded with trustees, district staff and Trujillo’s family posing for photos. The board’s remarks emphasized the district’s broader career-pathway offerings and the Innovation Center’s role in connecting students with industry certifications and mentors.
