SKYCTC Students Excel at the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championships

From left: Aliza Wilson of Russellville, KY, Kristopher Evanoff of Franklin, KY, and Paris Carlson, Bowling Green, KY, each placed in the top 10 of their respective competitions at the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) National Competition held June 16-18 in Dallas, Texas.

Bowling Green, KY – Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) is proud to announce that several of its students placed in the top ten during the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) National Competition held June 16-18 in Dallas, Texas.

Aliza Wilson of Russellville, KY, came in 8th place in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps), Kristopher Evanoff of Franklin, KY, took 8th place in Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps), and Paris Carlson, Bowling Green, KY, earned 6th place in Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps) competitions.

To qualify for nationals, students had to place first in their respective competitions at the Kentucky State Championship Qualifiers held in fall of 2024 and spring of 2025.

SKYCTC students placing in the top 10 in Kentucky during the Fall Qualifier of the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship:

Abigail Nuetzman – 8th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Ashton Slaughter – 8th Place, Microsoft PowerPoint (Office 2019)*
Derek Fortune – 3rd Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Karlee Harper – 6th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Madison Stinson – 1st Place, Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Madison Stinson – 8th Place, Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Madison Stinson – 9th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Nolan Hughson – 3rd Place, Microsoft Excel (Office 2019)*
Nolan Hughson – 7th Place, Microsoft Word (Office 2019)*
Paris Carlson – 1st Place, Microsoft PowerPoint (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Paris Carlson – 3rd Place, Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Paris Carlson – 5th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Santiago Villarreal Olmos – 6th Place, Microsoft Word (Office 2019)*
(*CIT 105 dual credit student at Greenwood High School)

SKYCTC students placing in the top 10 in Kentucky during the Spring Qualifier of the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship:

Aliza Wilson – 1st Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps) *
Austin Miller – 2nd Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Brikei Blankenship – 4th Place, Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Lexi Gray – 5th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Chandler Hudgins – 8th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Amina Karamova – 9th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Jaxson Shrull – 10th Place, Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
Kristopher Evanoff – 1st Place, Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps) *
* Dual credit students Aliza Wilson and Kristopher Evanoff will represent Kentucky at the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship in Dallas, Texas.

The MOS certification is a prestigious credential that validates individuals' proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, equipping them with essential skills for academic and professional endeavors. MOS-certified individuals demonstrate mastery over the full features and functionality of Microsoft Office, enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

Studies have shown that MOS certification correlates with improved academic performance, higher graduation rates, and increased post-secondary enrollment. Additionally, industry surveys indicate that digital media certifications, such as MOS, are highly valued by employers, providing candidates with a competitive edge in their career pursuits.

SKYCTC remains committed to providing students with the resources and support necessary to excel in their academic and professional pursuits. The achievements of our students and educators in the MOS certification program exemplify our dedication to fostering excellence and preparing individuals for success in today's digital landscape.  

"We have seen amazing results from the Microsoft Office Specialist program at our school as students learn and validate key workforce skills," said Carmen Gaskins, Professor and Computer & Information Technologies Program Coordinator at SKYCTC. "The Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship further motivates them to earn certification, and we are proud of these students who have proven to be the best in our state. We know they will go on to make us proud at the competition in June."

To learn more about SKYCTC's Computer & Information Technologies program, contact sky-cit@kctcs.edu

Certiport's Microsoft Office Specialist certification, backed by Microsoft, is an industry-recognized credential that assesses and validates students' skills in Microsoft Office applications, preparing them for real-world success.

For more information on the Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship, visit https://moschampionship.certiport.com/us.