The winners of the 2023 Fall Qualifier Microsoft Office Specialist Virginia State Championship have been announced by Certiport, the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners.
Mason Chamberlain, a freshman at Culpeper County High School (CCHS), won 10th in the Microsoft Office Specialist Word (Office 2019), 3rd in Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint (Office 2019), and 2nd in Microsoft Office Specialist Excel (Office 2019) categories. Mason competed against students from across Virginia to earn this coveted placement.
To compete in the Fall Qualifier, students aged 13 to 22 were eligible to participate in one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on the Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Excel®, or PowerPoint® certification exams by December 15, 2023.
“We have seen amazing results from the Microsoft Office Specialist program at our school as students learn and validate key workforce skills,” said Beth Lane, Business and Marketing teacher. “The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship further motivates them to earn certification and we are proud of the students who have proven to be the best in our state. Mason may have the opportunity to compete in the U.S. National Championship in June.”
The first-place students will get to represent Virginia at the upcoming 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Orlando, Florida. During this event, they will compete in their exam track, network with other top students from around the United States and be celebrated. One winner per track will be named the U.S. National Champion and earn a trip to represent the United States and compete in the 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Anaheim, California.
“We’re impressed by these students – not only have they proven they are the best in their state at using Microsoft Office products effectively. They now have an important distinction to place on their resume that shows a desire to learn and validate in-demand skills,” said Craig Bushman, General Manager, Certiport. “The title ‘Microsoft Office Specialist Champion’ will serve them well in their academic and career pursuits.”
Certiport’s Microsoft Office Specialist is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification for Microsoft Office globally and serves as a powerful instrument for assessing students’ skills and preparing them for real-world application of their knowledge.
For more information about the Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship visit www.us.moschampionship.com.