Riverton High School competes in national cybersecurity competition
On October 18, 2025, three teams from Riverton High School competed in the national virtual MAGIC Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Puzzle Challenge placing 35th, 37th, and 42nd.
Sponsored by the Mid Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Center (MAGICinc.org) in Maryland, the semi-annual challenge is designed to show students the basic cybersecurity building blocks in a puzzle environment while encouraging logical thinking skills and teamwork.
"All the kids really enjoyed the challenge of CTF. They are going to recruit more kids to participate in the spring. All want to improve their skills in the python and Linux challenges so they can place higher in the event next time. Overall, it was a super successful way to get kids interested in CS (computer science) and Cybersecurity," said Kate Swistowicz, challenge mentor and Fremont County School District #25 Tech Director.
Forty-nine national and international teams took part in the Challenge. Participants hailed from the UK, US, Estonia, and Ghana from the following schools: Carroll Community College, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Montgomery College, Capitol Technology University, Montgomery College, Stevenson University, Damascus High School, Glenelg High School, McDonough School, River Hill High School, Seneca Valley High School, Westminster High School, Wilde Lake High School, University of Maryland’s Global Campus and Riverton High School. All the Riverton High School students either worked as information technology interns for Swistowicz or were in RHS’s computer science class taught by Daniel McLane.
The Wyoming Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division paid for the registration, while the CyberWyoming Alliance sent lunch to participating teams.
The spring challenge is usually scheduled in mid-April. Wyoming teams’ registrations are paid for with a grant from the Wyoming Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division. Because the challenge always occurs on a Saturday over lunch, the CyberWyoming Alliance sends pizza to the students.
“With ongoing support from fundraising through WyoGives and collaboration with other organizations, initiatives like the MAGIC Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Puzzle Challenge will continue to empower Wyoming students and build a skilled workforce for the future,” said Laura Baker, President Emerita for the CyberWyoming Alliance.
Watch https://cyberwyoming.
About MAGIC's Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Competitions: MAGIC's Capture the Flag (CTF) Cybersecurity Competitions offer an entry-level platform for high school, college, and nontraditional students to explore cybersecurity. These events, held biannually, feature puzzles developed by industry professionals, fostering teamwork and ethical hacking skills. With simultaneous participation across multiple locations worldwide, MAGIC promotes collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity education. Learn more at MAGIC's website: https://magicinc.org/
About the Wyoming Department of Education CTE Division: The Wyoming Department of Education's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division helps students explore diverse career pathways in Wyoming through resources like the ctEzine. They aim to provide equitable access to quality CTE experiences, fostering a competitive workforce. The CTE team supports students in discovering opportunities in skilled trades, applied sciences, and post-secondary education to shape their educational and career journey. https://edu.wyoming.
About the CyberWyoming Alliance: The CyberWyoming Alliance is a statewide, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Laramie whose mission is to increase cybersecurity awareness, education, and outreach in communities across the State of Wyoming. Learn more at: https://cyberwyoming.org/
Riverton High School Team 3 scored 5862 points and ranked 35th nationally, the highest ranking Wyoming Team.
Left to Right; Hollis Nielsen and Caishin Hobbie, both juniors at RHS.
Riverton High School MAGIC Cybersecurity Puzzle Challenge participants from left to right;
Liam Murray (9th), Teegan Devries (11th), Daniel Ciesielski (12th), Hollis Nielsen (11th), Caishin Hobbie (11th), Frank Hobbie (10th)
Sponsored by the Mid Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Center (MAGICinc.org) in Maryland, the semi-annual challenge is designed to show students the basic cybersecurity building blocks in a puzzle environment while encouraging logical thinking skills and teamwork.
"All the kids really enjoyed the challenge of CTF. They are going to recruit more kids to participate in the spring. All want to improve their skills in the python and Linux challenges so they can place higher in the event next time. Overall, it was a super successful way to get kids interested in CS (computer science) and Cybersecurity," said Kate Swistowicz, challenge mentor and Fremont County School District #25 Tech Director.
Forty-nine national and international teams took part in the Challenge. Participants hailed from the UK, US, Estonia, and Ghana from the following schools: Carroll Community College, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Montgomery College, Capitol Technology University, Montgomery College, Stevenson University, Damascus High School, Glenelg High School, McDonough School, River Hill High School, Seneca Valley High School, Westminster High School, Wilde Lake High School, University of Maryland’s Global Campus and Riverton High School. All the Riverton High School students either worked as information technology interns for Swistowicz or were in RHS’s computer science class taught by Daniel McLane.
The Wyoming Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division paid for the registration, while the CyberWyoming Alliance sent lunch to participating teams.
The spring challenge is usually scheduled in mid-April. Wyoming teams’ registrations are paid for with a grant from the Wyoming Department of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division. Because the challenge always occurs on a Saturday over lunch, the CyberWyoming Alliance sends pizza to the students.
“With ongoing support from fundraising through WyoGives and collaboration with other organizations, initiatives like the MAGIC Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Puzzle Challenge will continue to empower Wyoming students and build a skilled workforce for the future,” said Laura Baker, President Emerita for the CyberWyoming Alliance.
Watch https://cyberwyoming.
About MAGIC's Capture the Flag Cybersecurity Competitions: MAGIC's Capture the Flag (CTF) Cybersecurity Competitions offer an entry-level platform for high school, college, and nontraditional students to explore cybersecurity. These events, held biannually, feature puzzles developed by industry professionals, fostering teamwork and ethical hacking skills. With simultaneous participation across multiple locations worldwide, MAGIC promotes collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity education. Learn more at MAGIC's website: https://magicinc.org/
About the Wyoming Department of Education CTE Division: The Wyoming Department of Education's Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division helps students explore diverse career pathways in Wyoming through resources like the ctEzine. They aim to provide equitable access to quality CTE experiences, fostering a competitive workforce. The CTE team supports students in discovering opportunities in skilled trades, applied sciences, and post-secondary education to shape their educational and career journey. https://edu.wyoming.
About the CyberWyoming Alliance: The CyberWyoming Alliance is a statewide, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Laramie whose mission is to increase cybersecurity awareness, education, and outreach in communities across the State of Wyoming. Learn more at: https://cyberwyoming.org/
Riverton High School Team 3 scored 5862 points and ranked 35th nationally, the highest ranking Wyoming Team.
Left to Right; Hollis Nielsen and Caishin Hobbie, both juniors at RHS.
Riverton High School MAGIC Cybersecurity Puzzle Challenge participants from left to right;
Liam Murray (9th), Teegan Devries (11th), Daniel Ciesielski (12th), Hollis Nielsen (11th), Caishin Hobbie (11th), Frank Hobbie (10th)
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