Two KPBSD Distance Learning Students have been invited to represent Alaska in the National Microsoft Championships!
Most of us on the Kenai Peninsula will never make it to the Olympics. But for our KPBSD students that are enrolled in a Distance Computer Applications course, there’s another kind of world championship up for grabs.
Caitlin Painter, 11th grader at Ninilchik School, and Ethan Bott, 12th grader at Soldotna High School, who because of their exceptionally high scores in their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification exams, have both been named Alaska’s Champion and selected to compete in Certiport’s 2018 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia, June 13-15, 2018.
“The number of students entering this competition in the United States continues to grow rapidly – we had more than 320,000 total entrants last year, and many U.S. Champions have gone on to compete- and place- at the MOS World Championship where they matched up against students from all over the world,” said Aaron Osmond, General Manager, Certiport. “More importantly, the level of expertise is astounding – we are so pleased to see this competition not only promote industry-endorsed certification but also prepare students for long-term college and professional success.”
During the 2018 MOS U.S. National Championship event, student competitors will take a unique exam in their track, further testing their knowledge of the applications. One winner per track will be named the 2018 MOS U.S. National Champion, and each will win an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the 2018 MOS World Championship in Orlando, Florida, July 29 – Aug. 1, 2018.
Darren Jones, KPBSD Distance Computer Teacher said, “We are fortunate to be able to offer every high school student and teacher in the district the opportunity to take our online Computer Applications courses that provide them opportunities to earn several Microsoft Certifications. So far from the 1st semester of the 2017-2018 school year, 67 KPBSD students and one teacher (Kristin McGlothen a SoPrep Science Teacher) received at least one Microsoft Certification.”
Certifications awarded
Certifications were from the following schools across the district: 29-Soldotna High School; 15-Kenai Central High School; 11-Soldotna Prep School; 7-Connections HomeSchool; 3-Nikiski Middle-High School; 2-Nikolaevsk School; and 1-Ninilchik School. Of the 68 certifications earned, 44-Certified in Microsoft Word; 15-Certified in Microsoft PowerPoint; 5-Certified in Microsoft Excel; and 4-Certified in Microsoft Outlook.
Through the KPBSD’s articulated agreement with the Kenai Peninsula College, students can earn up to 12 college credits by taking and successfully completing our online Computer Applications 1-4 courses and earning Microsoft Certifications.
Link: KPBSD Distance Education webpage
