Weiser High School student excels at Microsoft’s Excel

Weiser High School students enrolled in business computers have the unique opportunity to bolster their resumes, not just through learning computer skills, but by getting certified in the Microsoft office programs.
 This year, 36 students earned their Microsoft Word certification. Another eight students passed the PowerPoint certification, and 18 students earned their Excel certification.
 Alexandra Froshiesar achieved the third highest score in all of Idaho on the MOS Word certification. Abe Konvalin earned the second highest score in the state on Excel certification and junior Emberlee Thomas earned the top score in the state of Idaho on the Excel certification.
 Thomas, for her accomplishment, was invited to represent the state of Idaho at the Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. Championship which was held June 17-19 in Orlando, Fla.  
 The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is an industry-standard, hands-on exam.  MOS certification exams are rigorous, requiring approximately 23-25 tasks to be accurately completed on the computer in a timed 50-minute period.  There are MOS certification exams offered for Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  
 Thomas earned the top score out of 2,465 students last semester across 89 schools of all sizes (5A, 4A, 3A) in the state of Idaho who passed one or more MOS certification exams (Word 2013, excel 2013, PowerPoint 2013, Word 2016, Excel 2016, PowerPoint 2016). The passing score on the Excel certification is 700/1,000 possible points. Thomas scored an impressive 980.
 The Weiser High School program, instructed by Bernie Weldon, is in its third year as an authorized MOS learning center through its business technology classes.  The school is also set up as an authorized MOS testing center, which means students can take the certification exams right at the high school and at no charge (the normal price ranges from $96 - $112 per exam).  
 MOS certifications are recognized around the world and are a great skill to include on job applications and resumes. According to an independent study published on the Microsoft website, the Microsoft certification can mean more money in each of these students future employment.
 “Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.”
 The highest scores each semester from every U.S. state for each of these three products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) qualify that student to compete in the annual worldwide competition held in July. This year it will be in Orlando.
 Thomas is excited to have earned the right to represent the state of Idaho at this national competition. This is sure to be a memorable experience as she has yet to travel further east than Utah.     
 “I am really excited to meet people who have also qualified for this event. I am grateful for the support from the Weiser Education Foundation, and those who have donated to my expenses so far. Mr. Weldon and the community have been very supportive of me and this great opportunity,” Thomas said.
 In addition to Thomas, the following students from WHS also passed their Excel certification: Abe Konvalin – second highest score, Allen Murray, Ana Ramirez, Benjamin Odoms, Billie Tanner, Emilee Marvin, Emily Kielhorn, Gabrielle Fortik, Garrick Carroll – third highest score, Geovanna Garcia, Kindel Monter, Makaela Sherry, Oscar Cruz, Renae Reese – fourth highest score, Santiago Ixta Acuna, Shelby Aldrich and Zander McElroy.
 The following students completed their Word certification: Abe Konvalin, Alexandra Froshiesar, Alonna Freeland, Ana Ramirez, Ashley Coronado, Benjamin Odoms, Billie Tanner, Britynn Seward, Brooklynn Warner, Brylee Williams, Dioselyn Marquez, Eduardo Juarez Martinez, Elsie King, Emberlee Thomas, Emilee Marvin, Emily Kielhorn, Emma Burns, Gabrielle Fortik, Garrick Carroll, Jade Simonsen, Jaiden Gomez, Kiearra Hoobery, Kylee Young, Logan Wood, Madelyn Erickson, Makaela Sherry, Melany Martinez, Oscar Cruz, Rafael Perez, Renae Reese, Santiago Ixta Acuna, Shae Kunz, Shelby Aldrich, Sienna McClellan, Taryn Hawker, and Zander McElroy.
 Additionally, here are the eight students who passed the MOS certification for PowerPoint this fall: Ana Ramirez, Benjamin Odoms, Emberlee Thomas, Emily Kielhorn, Gabrielle Fortik, Garrick Carroll, Logan Wood and Santiago Ixta Acuna.