South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) student cybersecurity team, the White Rabbits, has won the Northwest Regional Round 1 Competition of the NCAE Cyber Games held on Saturday, March 1, 2025. The team will move on to the national competition at the University of South Florida on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
The White Rabbits team, part of SPSCC’s Mad Hatters Club, demonstrated their cybersecurity skills in a competition designed for students new to cyber competitions and hackathons.
The NCAE Cyber Games provide an accessible and engaging entry point for students exploring cybersecurity competitions. The games allow students to develop their technical abilities, problem-solving skills, and teamwork in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. The White Rabbits’ success highlights the growing strength of SPSCC’s Cybersecurity and Network Administration program and its ability to prepare students for real-world challenges in the industry.
“This competition was an excellent opportunity for our students to gain hands-on experience and build confidence in their cybersecurity skills,” said Andy Leiren, SPSCC Cybersecurity and Network Administration Professor and Mad Hatters Club Advisor. “The White Rabbits showed incredible teamwork, adaptability, and dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder of their success.”
In addition to the team’s win, two members received special recognitions for their outstanding performance. Most Valuable Teammate was awarded to Team Captain Tanner Harkin and Most Improved Teammate was awarded to David Wellington.
“Participating in NCAE was both challenging and rewarding,” said Tanner. “I valued the opportunity to put the theory we learn in the Cybersecurity and Network Administration program into practice in a real-world setting. Leading my team through these experiences refined our skills and deepened our understanding of the field. It was an experience that was not only enjoyable but also genuinely valuable for our future careers.”
SPSCC congratulates all the students of the White Rabbits team: Karish Bernard, Broc Carlson, Valdemar Doering, Tanner Harkin, Tyler Maye, Jasmine Pierre, and David Wellington.
The team looks forward to their April national competition, which will bring together top cybersecurity students from across the country to compete at an even higher level.