Certiport Names Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Champions
SALT LAKE CITY, June 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Certiport, a Pearson VUE business and the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners, today announced the winners of the 2019 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship. The champions topped 146 finalists at the event in Orlando, Florida, and the first-place winners will now head to New York City, NY for the MOS World Championship from July 28-31.

Across the U.S., more than 365,000 students age 13 to 22 entered one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on any of the following exams: Microsoft Office Specialist Word® (2016 or 2013), Microsoft Office Specialist Excel® (2016 or 2013) and Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint® (2016 or 2013). First place winners received a $3,000 cash prize, second place $1,500 and third place $750.

The MOS U.S. National Champions are as follows:

MOS Word 2016
First place, Olivia Martin, Caldwell County High School, Kentucky
Second place, Robert Nguyen, United Christian Academy, California
Third place, Brandon Rasmussen, Twin Falls High School, Idaho

MOS Excel 2016
First place, Bruce Beuzard IV, LAYC Career Academy, District of Columbia
Second place, Dalton Goodson, Central Freshman Academy, Alabama
Third place, Dane Thompson, Pike Valley High School, Kansas

MOS PowerPoint 2016
First place, Seth Maddox, Geraldine High School, Alabama
Second place, Karleigh Claussen, Princess Anne High School, Virginia
Third place, Forrest Liu, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, North Carolina

MOS Word 2013
First place, Jacob Riffel, Miamisburg High School, Ohio
Second place, Karolina Kotlarz, Easton Area High School, Pennsylvania
Third place, Natalie Anderson, Cavelero Mid High School, Washington

MOS Excel 2013
First place, Fariz Firdausi, Baton Rouge Magnet High School, Louisiana
Second place, Raaga Vangala, Cavelero Mid High School, Washington
Third place, Krzysztof Grochal, Perth Amboy Vocational Technical School, New Jersey

MOS PowerPoint 2013 
First place, Ashlyn Dumaw, Green Hope High School, North Carolina
Second place, Bailey Griffin, Lake Stevens High School, Washington
Third place (tie), Cassius T. Peterson, Cavelero Mid High School, Washington and Kylie DeNiro, Copper Mountain Middle School, Utah

"Every year we look forward to recognizing these students who have worked so hard to master Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint," said Ray Murray, Vice President and General Manager – IT, Pearson VUE. "They may be young, but they are mastering the skills that employers need in the workplace. Even more inspiring than watching these MOS U.S. National Champions go on to compete at the World Championship is to see what they do beyond the competition in college and career."

Finalists were given a printed copy of a document, spreadsheet or presentation to recreate along with printed instructions and digital assets. They were then scored according to the accuracy of the recreation compared to the original. The champions in each program, along with a chaperone, have won a trip to participate in the 2019 MOS World Championship in New York City, NY where they will compete with more than 150 other finalists from 40 countries.

"We are proud to support the MOS program and see the powerful impact it has on young lives – not just the champions, but everyone who earns certification," said Anthony Salcito, Vice President, Education at Microsoft. "We support both the MOS U.S. National and World Championship events and are always impressed with the caliber of participants. These students have proven they can use Microsoft Office tools effectively, which will serve them well both in further academic pursuits and in any career."

Professional photos of the event can be found here. Links to download winner interviews can be found here.

                                                             Saturday, June 29 from 8:30-11:00
Location: Miamisburg Transportation Department200 North 12th Street, Miamisburg, Ohio
To fill open contracts for CDL certified school bus drivers
(Preference for CDL B licensed individuals but
training is available to obtain CDL B license)

June 13, 2019 – Miamisburg High School Theatre took home multiple awards at the First Annual Miami Valley High School Theatre Awards including an overall award of Merit for their production of The Addams Family, directed by Mark Phillips, music directed by Halli Hill, and choreographed by Stacy Gear. 

Modeled after the Tony Awards, the awards showcase took place on June 11, 2019 at the Schuster Center. Forty productions, from twenty-two schools, were reviewed by three qualified adjudicators from across the area who also provided directors feedback. In addition to Outstanding Musical and Play, award categories included Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Play and Musical, Outstanding Supporting Actor/Actress in a Play and Musical, Outstanding Ensemble Performance, Outstanding Student Designers, Outstanding Featured Dancer, Outstanding Student Orchestra, and Theater Program Director of the Year.

The MVHSTA Showcase featured 24 students who performed solos based on the roles they are recognized for in the Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress in a Musical category. Miamisburg High School soloists included: Nick Bradley (Gomez), Cassidy Jackson (Morticia), Ryann Davis (Alice), Caitlin Zook (Fester), and Mackenzie Fox (Pugsley). Additionally MHS Theatre had two actresses (Jenna Burke and Allie Hubler) perform in the opening and closing numbers.

• MHS Theatre’s production of “The Addams Family” had multiple nominees and awards, listed below.
• Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
• Merit for Production of a Musical
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical – Nick Bradley
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Cassidy Jackson, Ryann Davis, Mackenzie Fox, Caitlin Zook
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical – Allie Hubler
• Outstanding Student Stage Management – Nathan Stelter
• Merit for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical – Eden Hill
• Nominees for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical – Jenna Burke, Mattelyn Magill

Mark Phillips, Director for The Addams Family, says "The MVHSTAs are not “Participation Awards” but are judged by highly skilled theatre professionals. Earning nine awards is an impressive feat, since many of the twenty-two schools involved walked away with only one or two, or no awards. Everyone involved in the MHS Theatre Program should be very proud of what we have accomplished.”  

The award-winning cast included Nicholas Bradley as Gomez, Cassidy Jackson as Morticia and Eden Hill as Wednesday. Pugsley was played by Mackenzie Fox, Fester played by Caitlin Zook, Grandma played by Grace Levan, Lurch played by Dovea Gogo, Mal played by Noah Engel, Alice played by Ryann Davis and Lucas played by Chris Howie. The Ancestors, recognized for Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical were played by Jenna Burke, Haley Cole, Haidyn Couts, Megan Daniels, Tiffany Higgins, Allie Hubler, Mattelyn Magill, Tate Middleton, Ava Newkirk, Sophia Schafer, and Evette Williamson.

The creative team included Mark Phillips (director), Nathan Stelter (stage manager), Halli Hill (music director), Stacy Gear (choreographer), Lonnie Daniels & Melissa Smith (scenic builder), Tim Guth (sound and lighting designer) and Andrea Hubler (costume designer and marketing).  The show is produced by Tom Hubler and Melissa Fogle.  The production was additionally supported by Sabrina Sedlacko (asst stage manager), Teri Bradley (tickets & marketing) and Liz Engel (house manager).

ABOUT MIAMISBURG HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE
Miamisburg High School Theatre came roaring back to the stage in 2016 with Into the Woods and followed up that performance with High School Musical Jr. in 2018. The MHS Theatre program is committed to bringing excellence in performance opportunities for students in the 6^th-12^th grades in the Miamisburg School System.