EPIC Campus is celebrating a remarkable showing in Carnegie Mellon’s picoCTF 2025, one of the world’s premier cybersecurity competitions for high school and college students. Nearly 80 EPIC Computer Science students rose to the challenge this spring, using their skills to crack technical puzzles and demonstrate their talent on a global stage.

From cryptography to digital forensics to hacking, students worked through a series of cybersecurity challenges using Linux terminals–essentially working in virtual escape rooms. These puzzles are designed to challenge students with abilities ranging from beginner to advanced, and EPIC participants from all six computer science classes jumped in with enthusiasm.

“This competition pushes students to think critically, problem-solve, and apply technical skills to problems they’ve never encountered before,” said EPIC’s Computer Science Pathway Lead Cameron Ryan. “It’s rare to have students place in the top 10 percent worldwide–this year, we had three! I am incredibly proud of our EPIC students for stepping up to the challenge.”

picoCTF, hosted annually by Carnegie Mellon University, attracts tens of thousands of participants from around the world. Top students often catch the attention of recruiters and colleges, and participation is an impressive highlight on any resume.

“Even if you’ve never tried coding before, these challenges are a great way to get started,” said Mr. Ryan. “Our classes welcome all skill levels.” 

This success is just one example of how the EPIC Campus experience is transforming student learning through real-world applications, strong industry partnerships, and a commitment to helping students find their passions.

Check out some of the EPIC students’ amazing results:

Eric Yang (LHS) - Score: 3,310; top 5 percent in the US; top 7 percent in the world
Jason Paniagua (HHS) - Score: 3,310; top 5 percent in the US; top 7 percent in the world
Kobyn Winn (HHS) - Score: 2,910; top 6 percent in the US; top 9 percent in the world
Rachel Arnold (AHS) - Score: 1,710; top 10 percent in the US; top 15 percent in the world
Nora Ahnstedt (LHS) - Score: 1,710; top 10 percent in the US; top 15 percent in the world
Julian Schultz (LHS) - Score: 1,685; top 10 percent in the US; top 15 percent in the world
James Bagshaw (HHS) - Score: 1,535; top 11 percent in the US; top 17 percent in the world
Yoel Kaleb (AHS) - Score: 1,435; top 11 percent in the US; top 17 percent in the world
Eliza Martinez (LHS) - Score: 1,360; top 12 percent in the US; top 18 percent in the world