PHS students Claire Nelson and Dylan Youmans and teacher Wendy Nasgovitz were recognized by the Microsoft Office Specialist State Championship
Posted January 8, 2024
A Plymouth High School senior has been named Wisconsin State Champion in Microsoft Excel, one of two Microsoft Office Specialist 2023 State Championship Fall Qualifiers from the school.
PHS senior Claire Nelson scored a perfect 1,000 points on the Excel exam and was named Wisconsin State Champion. She also took sixth place in the state for PowerPoint with 957 points.
In addition, PHS senior Dylan Youmans took 7th place in the state for Microsoft Excel with 940 points.
“I am so very proud of both of these young adults,” said PHS business teacher Wendy Nasgovitz, who herself was honored with an Outstanding Educator certificate.
Claire and Dylan are students in the PHS Computer Applications class, a self-paced course that allows students to work independently to master Microsoft Office software packages. After working through learning materials, students take the relevant Microsoft Office Specialist Industry Certification Exam(s).
“The key has been to create an environment that supports independent learning while providing the necessary structure and support to help students succeed in their self-paced studies,” Mrs. Nasgovitz said. “Regular communication and active involvement in students' progress has significantly contributed to their learning experience.”
The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. Championship is a national competition that tests students’ skills on Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Top students are invited to represent their respective states at the U.S. National Championship set for June in Orlando.
Claire, who plans to study nursing after graduation, said she had not used Excel before this class but had used Google Sheets, which is similar. “I find Excel interesting, so it makes sense to me,” she said.
Dylan, who plans to study accounting in college, did not have much experience with computer spreadsheets before taking the class. “I just worked through the program,” he said. “I didn’t realize I was doing so well, so I was pretty surprised to get an award.”
Since Microsoft Office is widely used in professional environments, proficiency in these tools is valuable for various careers, Mrs. Nasgovitz said. “Being certified demonstrates to employers that students have practical skills that are directly applicable to the workplace,” she said.
“Becoming certified in the Microsoft Office suite provides students with practical skills, enhances their employability, and prepares them for success in a professional setting,” she added. “My hope is that acquiring these skills can be a stepping stone towards personal and professional success for my students.”
Learn more:
• Explore the Academic Excellence section of our interactive, award-winning District Report Card to learn more about how our students create knowledge and develop skills to become leaders and innovators in the ever-evolving global community.
