[Chris Fultz]

As a parent, mentor, sponsor and potential employer of some of these students, here is why I like the Cyber Blue process:

1. Students learn to create an application and write a resume.

2. Students learn how to prepare for a "job" interview.

3. Students recieve formal feedback on their performance from the prior year, with input provided by all of the mentors.

4. It is an opportunity for the mentors to meet and learn about every student, especially the new ones.

5. It can be a screening process, to make sure the students know what they are signing up for and give us some initial ideas about the student.

6. It emphasizes that this is something special, and that you cannot just show up. You need to apply and put some effort into the process.

And, there are very few students who do not make the team. usually there are very specific reasons (behavior, past performance, grade concerns, etc.) for someone not getting on. Most get the opportunity, especially freshmen or others that are trying for the first time.

Many students have told us that the experience was extremely beneficial to them when they had to go through interviews for scholarships, college applications, and jobs.