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Montana's 'Girls Go CyberStart' program begins second year

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HELENA — A program aimed at helping high school girls learn cyber-security while competing for scholarships is now officially underway for second year in Montana.

Girls Go CyberStart is a national competition.

Last year, 70 girls from 11 different schools across Montana participated,

Over $2700 in cash prizes and scholarships were awarded to the girls.

The team from Capital High School won a $750 scholarship.

Registration for the program started Monday and will run until January 31st, 2020.

Any high school girl, in grades 9 through 12 can register to compete.

From their, the girls play a CyberStart game, which is designed to help them improve their cyber-security skills.

Last year, Sarah Heller from Capital High School competed in the game, and she's going to participate again this year as a junior.

"There's a lot of different things, there were some challenges where you're learning about python and binary coding, and others that were more broad, cyber-security in general, about websites and hacking, and then there was some binary stuff, and I love a good puzzle, I really do. It was really easy to access, and it was very interactive in a way that made me feel like I was succeeding, and not just stuck frustrated," Heller said.

To register head here: https://www.girlsgocyberstart.org/