NEWS ARTICLE

Purdue Places Eighth Internationally in Cisco Challenge

Hutchinson, Kan. – Hutchinson Community College and Area Vocational School has announced that Harry Purdue (Hutchinson) placed eighth in the International Cisco® Networking Academy® NetRiders Skills Challenge, December 2. 

The NetRiders Challenge an interactive contest designed by the Cisco Networking Academy to give technical education students the opportunity to showcase their IT and networking skills and to recognize excellence among Networking Academy students. 

The 2012 NetRiders Skills Challenge was open to post-secondary students enrolled in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum within the past six months across the U.S. and Canada.  Purdue is HCC’s highest-ever place winner in the competition.  He qualified for the international competition by winning the Kansas State Championship.  He is the third HCC student in three years to win the state championship.  More than 45 students competed in the international finale.  Purdue won a $150 gift certificate for his placing in the competition.

NetRiders utilizes Cisco’s Web technologies to create an interactive experience, enhance classroom learning, and motivate young people to further pursue technology education and training. The NetRiders state-level competition involved nearly 400 Networking Academy students from across the United States and Canada competing in a variety of activities, including a timed theoretical exam, a Packet Tracer network simulation activity and a Packet Tracer exam.

The Cisco Networking Academy is a global technology education program that provides students with networking and technical skills to prepare them for careers in the 21st century.  Committed to delivering the highest standard of information technology education to students of all nationalities, genders and economic brackets, the program is designed to offer students real-world skills that will position them for employment and career growth.

Matt Malone and Kendall Allender, instructors in Computer Support, serve as advisors, coaches and instructors for Purdue.