Student Champions Crowned at 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist Nationals

The competition serves as a high-stakes proving ground for digital literacy, where participants demonstrate mastery of Microsoft 365 and Office 2019 applications. Winners included Scott Chamberlain from Utah for Word, Ethan Strayer from Idaho for Excel, and Rebecca Sutherlin from Texas for PowerPoint in the Microsoft 365 category. Other top performers included Reid Chapman, Paul Hudson, and Amar Azar, who secured first-place finishes in the Office 2019 brackets.

Laura Peterson, Managing Director of Professional Assessments at Pearson, noted that these credentials provide a significant edge for students entering an AI-driven economy. By achieving this certification, participants gain a tangible asset for their future academic and professional pursuits. The first-place winners are now set to advance to the Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Anaheim, California, scheduled for July 27–30. There, they will vie against more than 100 international competitors for the global title and a $3,000 prize.