This summer more than 150 students from across the country traveled to Grapevine, Texas to compete in the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship. Hamilton High School senior Andrew Emrich placed 10th in the nation for his score on the Microsoft Office Word Exam. Emrich qualified to compete in the national championship after earning the title of Wisconsin State Champion with a perfect score on the in-class Microsoft Word exam during the 2024-25 school year.
“Seeing Andrew enjoy the success of his hard work is priceless,” shares Hamilton High School Business Education Teacher Toni Hillmann. “Placing tenth at the National Microsoft Championship and getting the opportunity to network with students and professionals from around the country is an experience he will remember for a very long time.”
The 188 students who competed in Texas came from a pool of thousands of students aged 13-22 who entered the competition. During the competitive event, finalists were tested on their knowledge and mastery of Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Microsoft Office Specialist Excel® and Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint®.
Emrich calls taking part in the National Microsoft Championship a “fun experience.” He shares that prior to test day, seminars were also offered on helpful topics such as writing cover letters and how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“For over two decades, the Microsoft Office Specialist National and World Championships have provided students with a unique platform to demonstrate their technical expertise and creativity,” says Microsoft Worldwide Education Industry General Manager Kate Maxwell. “Each competitor has gained more than a certification. They’ve acquired skills that will propel them into a world full of opportunity. We’re thrilled to celebrate their success and the bright futures ahead of them,” she adds.
Since the Microsoft Imagine Academy Program’s inception during the 2016-2017 school year, the Hamilton High School Computer Applications Course has continually gained top state rankings. Emrich completed the “Productivity” strand of the program which includes taking 3 Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exams in the areas of Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Microsoft Office Specialist Excel® and Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint®.