DH
David Hoskins III
  • Associate in Applied Science
  • Class of 2018
  • Paducah, KY

David Hoskins III places eighth in national computer technologies competition

2017 May 12

David Hoskins III of Paducah was one of five Computer and Information Technologies students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College who recently participated in a Cisco Networking Academy NetRiders competition.

Hoskins III placed eighth in the rigorus online competition. Other WKCTC student participants were: Michael Pierce of Paducah, second place, Paul Ward of Benton, third place, Chisom Uzomba-Ekwuribe of Paducah, 23rd place and Seyi Aro of Abule- Egba, Nigeria, 48th place. The students are all enrolled in Cisco Networking classes at WKCTC.

Cisco Networking Academy NetRiders competitions provide students with hands-on practice and experience in a competitive environment, a chance to test their skills and recognize their weaknesses, showcase their knowledge, and create interactive networking skills as well as new friendships across the world.

John Vos, professor of Computer and Information Technologies, said the first round of the competition was held in April in an exam that he proctored. WKCTC students competed in the Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician (CCENT) level of the competition.

"The competition exam is conducted in an online format. The first round is an open round and also a qualifier round. The second round is only the top five from each academy with at least 70% score," Vos said. " When the competition is complete Cisco scores the results and ranks the top individuals."

Cisco Networking Academy, along with local Cisco teams, governmental agencies, educational and industrial partners, work together to bring this exciting and unique opportunity to students throughout the world.

Competitions are offered for students currently or recently enrolled in a Cisco Networking Academy course. Each region offers three levels of competitions: CCNA, CCENT, and IT Essentials. Eligibility requirements differ per competition level.

Vos said the students take an online examination during round 1 of the competition and then troubleshoot a simulated industrial network. The top 5 from each networking academy are eligible to compete in round 2. The round 2 competitors are then matched up across the entire United States and Canada. They take a more rigorous online exam, consisting of 100 questions that must be answered in 60 minutes, and complete another live simulation network exercise. Their scores are tabulated and rankings are posted.

"I am very proud that we have three of the top 10 in all the US and Canada in this competition," Vos said. "This is a great honor for the students and an indication of the quality program we have."

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West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) has been recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College each of the four times the Prize has been awarded by the Aspen Institute and has twice been named a Finalist With Distinction for providing students with strong job training and continuing higher education opportunity, for achieving high completion and transfer rates, and for providing strong employment results for its graduates.

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