Governor Ralph Northam today recognized five Virginia high schools for their participation in the 2019 Girls Go CyberStart program, which he announced earlier this year. Sponsored by the SANS Institute, the national Girls Go CyberStart program involves a series of online challenges designed to place girls in grades 9 through 12 in the role of a cybersecurity professional tasked with solving realistic problems and puzzles.

Schools with the highest number of participants in each state are awarded with a cash prize for their efforts. Virginia winners are:

  • Spotsylvania High School in Spotsylvania County – $1,000 for 108 participants, the highest number in Virginia
  • North Stafford High School in Stafford County – $750 for 54 participants
  • Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania County – $500 for 50 participants
  • John S. Battle High School in Washington County – $200 for more than 40 participants

Additionally, each school received one entry into a raffle for every five students that completed at least two challenges. York High School in York County was selected as the winner of the raffle and received $1,000. All prize money is furnished by the SANS Institute. MORE>>