“My passion for information security is rooted in my desire to educate people and protect individuals against cyber criminals. When I was still in the Philippines, I always heard about different kinds of cyberattacks.”

By receiving the Justin Kerby Scholarship I plan to obtain a CISSP certification, which will lead me to develop both my leadership and my technical skills.

I am confident that my dedication to excellence, coupled with the support of this scholarship, will enable me to make a significant impact.

“My Name is Quinn Hoffman – I will be attending Olivet Nazarene University pursuing a cybersecurity degree."

Ultimately, my goal is to leverage my education and experience in information security to work in cybersecurity, protecting digital assets, reducing risk, and mitigating cyber-attacks. With the support of this scholarship, I am confident in my ability to achieve these aspirations and make a positive impact in the field of information security.

“My name is Cooper Pflaum and I will be attending the University of Cincinnati as a dual major in Cybersecurity and Computer Science. I am a senior in high school currently attending Delaware Hayes High School and the Delaware Area Career Center for Cybersecurity. With my degrees, I plan to develop software for penetration testing and/or use them in the field for ethical hacking.”

“As an Associate Senior Cloud Engineer, I am dedicated to advancing my knowledge and skills in the field of cloud security. This scholarship will aid me to purse a CISSP certification which will significantly enhance my expertise in securing cloud-based systems.

I believe that receiving this scholarship I would not only support my personal and professional growth,

My goal is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of information security management, risk assessment, and governance.”

"My name is Garrett Ghearing, I am a senior at Wright State." My academic journey is fueled by a passion cultivated through my love for video games. Intrigued by the dynamic intersection of cybersecurity and information technology; I am seeking to merge my passion for gaming with a career in IT security, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the realm of digital defense.”

“My name is Delvin Harshaw, I am currently in the role of Information System IT Auditor at Yum Brands. I would like to use this scholarship towards purchasing the ISACA Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) material to prepare for the exam."

“For the last year, I have been working for Per Scholas Columbus - a local IT non-profit that works to increase equity and diversity in the IT industry. My role is to help graduates find entry level work – to this FAST-changing space.

With this scholarship, I hope to come away with a better understanding of Cybersecurity and the hiring landscape to better serve our learners as a result."

“My name is Jennifer Herter, I have spent over two decades as an engineer, working with various data centers and infrastructure technologies. Recently, I transitioned into a leadership role in Cybersecurity engineering. My focus is on continuous improvement and skill expansion within the cybersecurity domain

I am hoping to mentor young future leaders in the industry.”

Rex Kenyon is a senior at Jonathan Alder High School active in both school and his community. Rex competes in men’s soccer, is a member of the Jonathan Alder High School Marching Band and is Captain of the eSports team. Rex is also a Level 10 gymnast at Integrity Gymnastics competing in the USA Gymnastics men’s division. Rex has been an avid user of technology his entire life. He has programmed and built computers from as young as 7 years old. Rex has also competed in multiple Capture the Flag events for Cybersecurity and is currently working toward his Security+ certification.

“My name is Iryna Kryvyak, and I am currently pursuing a degree in CSE with a focus on cybersecurity at the Ohio State University. My career goal is to become a penetration tester, but I am eager to explore other facets of the industry. As an active member of the OSU Cybersecurity club, I am building my skills through various online resources like HackTheBox and TryHackMe. While I am already learning a lot through these, I am always eager to expand my knowledge base and explore the vast field of cybersecurity.”

“My name is Cooper Pflaum and I will be attending the University of Cincinnati as a dual major in Cybersecurity and Computer Science. I am a senior in high school currently attending Delaware Hayes High School and the Delaware Area Career Center for Cybersecurity. With my degrees, I plan to develop software for penetration testing and/or use them in the field for ethical hacking.”

“My name is Will Kurtz and I am a 17yr old senior at Calvert High School in Tiffin, Ohio. I also attend Sentinel Vocational Center where I have received my welding certifications. I also work at Webster Industries through the Advanced Placement Program. I've enjoyed varsity basketball and football while attending Calvert. I train as a long snapper, I'm currently a nationally rated 4-star long snapper. I will be attending the University of Findlay in the fall of 2023 to major in Computer Science / Cyber Security and playing football. I live in Tiffin with my parents Karl & Michelle Kurtz and my younger brother Grant.”

“When I volunteered at the 2022 ISSA summit, I had no concept about cybersecurity. Instantly my path became illuminated, and I was surrounded by an amazing community that helped me discover new possibilities for myself in this space. Currently I am developing a marketable skillset while obtaining network+, security+, and CySA certifications with Max Technical Training. This scholarship will help me prepare for success on this journey. ”

“I am a Senior from New Albany High School/Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical School. During my senior year I have earned the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications. Outside of school I have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, a 4th-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and I am PADI certified Rescue Scuba Diver.

In the fall I will join the Honors College at the University of Alabama. I will be part of their 5 year Stem MBA program while working on a bachelor degree in Cyber Security and a minor in Mandarin Chinese.

In the future, I plan on moving into a leadership role; after spending time gaining experience across many aspects of Cyber Security.”

“My name Stacey Silverii. I am a Cybersecurity Analyst. I hope to continue to learn and develop my skills to further my career in Information Security.”

“I graduated with BS in Cybersecurity with a passion for technology to apply my knowledge to further develop my skillset, and expand my experience. My goal is to protect client data and achieve information assurance objectives while working for a company that values innovation and growth. I am currently working towards obtaining Security+ and BTL1 certifications which will demonstrate my proficiency in security best practices and industry standards.”

“My name is Isaac Brodbeck, I've been working in IT for the past couple of years. While it has been a great experience, what I really want to work in cybersecurity as a SOC Analyst or get into Cyber Threat Intelligence. I love the tools used and the challenge due to the constant shift and change in this industry that truly allows me to think outside the box to solve problems other people would think are not possible.”