City of Temecula Celebrates Prestigious California Mayors Cyber Cup Victory

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Mayor Brenden Kalfus, Coach Christian Meglio with “The Real Christian Meglio” cyber team members with members of the city council and Mathew Mena and Suzanna Sotelo representing IEGO.

Temecula, CA – April 22, 2025 – The City of Temecula proudly hosted an enthusiastic ceremony at the City Council Chambers to celebrate Great Oak High School cyber team, The Real Christian Meglio’s, thrilling victory in the California Mayors Cyber Cup competition. Mayor Brenden Kalfus received the esteemed perpetual trophy from coach Christian Meglio, marking Temecula’s third consecutive win in this prestigious regional event.

The California Mayors Cyber Cup, a dynamic cybersecurity skills competition, has quickly become an impactful initiative across the Inland Empire, uniting hundreds of students, educators, and local businesses in an exciting collaborative effort. This year, 564 students from across two counties sharpened their cybersecurity skills weekly, culminating in an electrifying competition where Great Oak High School’s team clinched victory in a nail-biting finish.

“This competition is transformative,” stated Matthew Mena, executive director of Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity (IEGO), the key sponsor of the competition. “Students aren’t just learning cybersecurity; they’re gaining confidence and envisioning high wage careers they previously didn’t think were possible.” He emphasized IEGO’s dedication to fostering innovation, workforce development, and strategic industry partnerships through initiatives like the Mayors Cup.

Great Oak High School’s triumph was especially remarkable, capturing the victory by securing a decisive “flag” in the competition’s final moments, edging out local rivals Temecula Valley High School. “Our students have shown incredible dedication and talent,” said Christian Meglio, Great Oak’s Cybersecurity Coach. “They’ve embraced challenges, developed key technical skills, and grown tremendously in their abilities.”

This victory not only highlights the technical prowess of Temecula’s youth but underscores the competition’s broader impact—engaging 57% of students who experienced cybersecurity for the first time. As one student enthusiastically shared, “Before joining, I wouldn’t have spoken up in class. Now, I’m helping lead our practices.”

Mayor Kalfus recognized the significance of the award, noting, “The Mayors Cup does more than showcase individual talent—it strengthens our entire community by building a future-ready workforce.”

Alongside the perpetual trophy, Mayor Kalfus and council members were honored with commemorative challenge coins, symbolizing the city’s ongoing commitment to cybersecurity awareness and education.

About IEGO:

Proactive work is the focus of Inland Economic Growth & Opportunity (IEGO). A regional cross-sector, bi-county collaborative network of community-based organizations, businesses and institutions, IEGO is committed to ensuring that the region’s accelerated growth is focused on the greatest opportunities to create inclusive economic development that will improve the quality of life for all.