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The winners of the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) National Championships have been announced by Certiport, a Perason Vue business, and D.C. Everest is proud to announce that DCE junior Malea Lopes-Serrao finished seventh in the nation in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps). The event, which was held in Nashville, TN, drew 140 finalists from thousands of students (ages 13–22) across the U.S. who qualified by passing Microsoft Word, Excel™, or PowerPoint™ certification exams. The competition recognizes outstanding achievement in Microsoft Office, and empowers students to build confidence as they develop essential digital skills. By participating, these students are gaining valuable experience that will better prepare them for a future shaped by artificial intelligence and technological innovation.

“We are proud to support the Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship, honoring students whose ambition, perseverance, and commitment to learning have brought them to this national stage to showcase their digital expertise,” said Jeana Jorgensen, Corporate Vice President, Global Skilling, Microsoft. “This competition shows what’s possible when student talent, digital skills, and certification come together – a powerful combination that prepares students for success in the modern workforce.”

This is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification program for Microsoft Office globally and serves as a powerful instrument for assessing learners’ skills and preparing them for real-world application of their knowledge.

The winners of the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Wisconsin State Championship Spring Qualifier have been announced by Certiport, a Pearson Business, the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate people’s academic and career opportunities.

The following D.C. Everest students placed in the top 10 of the Spring Qualifier in Wisconsin:

• 1st Place - Malea Lopes-Serrao - Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
• 4th Place - Lukas Schneider - Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
• 9th Place - Hayden Johnson - Microsoft Excel (Microsoft 365 Apps)
• 3rd Place - Malea Lopes-Serrao - Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 Apps)

To compete in the Spring Qualifier, students aged 13 to 22 were eligible to participate in one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on the MOS Word, Excel®, or PowerPoint® certification exams by May 1, 2026.

 “We have seen amazing results from the MOS program at our school as students learn and validate key workforce skills,” said Aaron Hoffman, D.C. Everest Career and Technical Education Coordinator. “The MOS U.S. National Championship further motivates them to get certified, 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 MOS U.S. National Championship in June.”
 
Malea Lopes-Serrao will represent D.C. Everest and the state of Wisconsin at the upcoming 2026 MOS U.S. National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee in the Microsoft Excel event. During this event, she will compete in her exam track, network with other top students from around the United States and celebrate their certification success. One winner per track will be named the U.S. National Champion and earn a trip to represent the United States and compete in the National Championship in Anaheim, California.

“We’re impressed by these students.They have proven they are the best in their state at using Microsoft Office products effectively. Plus, they now have an important distinction to place on their resume that shows a desire to learn and validate in-demand skills,” said Krista Ketchmark, Vice President Certiport and Global IT Business Development, Pearson. “The title ‘Microsoft Office Specialist Champion’ will serve them well in their academic and career pursuits.”

The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification for Microsoft Office globally and serves as a powerful instrument for assessing students’ skills and preparing them for real-world application of their knowledge.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation, the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Essay Contest challenges 4th and 5th graders across the state to craft essays showcasing the importance of agriculture. This year, the theme was “Dig Into Wisconsin Soil: Where Good Things Grow.” Fourth grade Riverside Elementary students researched and wrote about the components of soil and the importance of healthy soil. The top three essays for Marathon County were written by the following Riverside students:

• Escher Brown — 1st place
• Raygen Heinzen — 2nd place
• Thea Gauss — 3rd place

Each student earned a cash prize from the Marathon County Farm Bureau, presented by Marathon County Farm Bureau President Josh Schmidt.

In the wake of the tornado that struck a sizable portion of the D.C. Everest Area School District region on April 17, members of the DCE Senior High Key Club, National Honor Society and Student Council came together to raise funds for the families affected by the storm. The fundraising effort initially focused on donations from students and staff but quickly swelled to include local organizations and businesses who reached out to offer support by agreeing to match up to $1,000 of student donations. Area families also began calling the school to support the cause as well.

Due to this overwhelming community support, the student-led clubs raised a total of $16,465.66. The funds were donated to the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin’s (CFNCW) Emergency Relief Fund to help those impacted by the tornado. On April 10, two DCE Senior High Key Club officers, DCE Senior Max Bartig and DCE Junior Ava Yothsackda, joined Key Club co-advisors Julie Rice and Megan Ackley to present the check to CFNCW President and CEO Tim Parker. 

Pictured (from left to right) CFNCW President and CEO Tim Parker, DCE junior Ava Yothsackda, DCE senior Max Bartig, and Key Club co-advisors Julie Rice and Megan Ackley.