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Coding
CRACKING THE CODE Freshman Patrick Watson and junior William Watson log onto their computers on Jan. 14 to compete in the cybersecurity challenge. Every Thursday, the STAGS Who Code club meets to learn new programs and compete in the competitions. | ALENA GILLESPIE
Students compete in cybersecurity challenge
Frenzel said. “Normally, it is just as long as it takes us to finish.” Each week there are different tasks. Some include cryptography and analyzing log data. STAFF WRITER “It is a lot of brainstorming and solving problems,” he end of the day announcements echo over the intercom. sophomore Finnegan Stocks said. Students go their different ways throughout the hallways During competition days, the coders compete in a group of to their cars, sport practices and clubs. four against different schools from all around the world. Every Thursday, the STAGS Who Code club meets to learn “We were working through problems that we learned the and conquer the cybersecurity challenge. week before, like how to solve them,” Stocks said. Students logged onto their computers and joined their In addition to the cybersecurity challenge, students gain teammates. To begin the competition, STAGS Who Code knowledge in programming. mentor Joan Gladbach led the group in a prayer and wished “We learn about how to use different programming them luck. languages and how to interact with different programs,” “Good luck,” Gladbach said. “May the force be with you.” Frenzel said. Student’s eyes were locked and their Both Frenzel and Stocks joined STAGS minds were concentrated on the bright Who Code with the encouragement of computer screens. The room was silent Gladbach, who teaches them in a class. Trials “I like how you work with with scattered noises from the clicks come with coding, but that’s something that of keyboards, computer mouses, and your team to figure things Stock enjoys. murmurs to oneself. There was talking “I like the challenge and learning about out that you couldn’t just between group members in between different things,” Stocks said. “I look forward figure out on your own.” gulps of water. to learning about cybersecurity.” As the students were focused on their For Frenzel, the team aspect is a competition, Gladbach opened a bag of particular detail that he appreciates. popcorn and a box of rice crispy treats for “You work as a team,” Frenzel said. “I the coders to enjoy. like how you work with your team to figure Throughout the school year, students things out that you couldn’t just figure out in STAGS Who Code have been working on your own.” on the cybersecurity challenge. During Frenzel adds that for those wanting to the challenge, students stay an hour to an hour and a half after join STAGS Who Code should not be worried about catching school. up. “It is really just as long as we can go until we either figure “Just do it,” Frenzel said. everything out or can’t figure everything out,” freshman Luke
ALENA GILLESPIE
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FRESHMAN LUKE FRENZEL