Two 17-year-old Greek high school students, Eleni Karakasidou from Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, and Kyriaki Petsa from Petroupoli, Attica, have achieved a historic victory at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Florida, USA.
Eleni secured the gold medal in the PowerPoint category, while Kyriaki earned the silver medal in the Word category, making them the new Microsoft Office Specialist World Champions. This marks the first time that two Greek students, and “digital” classmates at that, have claimed the top two spots in the global competition.
The annual Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is a prestigious international event, now in its 24th year, that assesses students’ proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The competition is open to individuals aged 13 to 22 from approximately 140 countries worldwide, making the Greek girls’ achievement even more remarkable.
Eleni and Kyriaki’s journey to the world stage began earlier this spring when they triumphed in the preliminary national competition held in Athens. They traveled together to the US for the final competition, accompanied by their dedicated instructors. Kyriaki Petsa was prepared by Kavala-based teacher Georgia Marousiadou, while Eleni Karakasidou received her training from Professor Panagiotis Aslanidis.
What makes their story even more compelling is the unique bond between the two champions. Despite being separated by 500 kilometers (310 miles), Eleni and Kyriaki became close friends three years ago through online scholarship classes offered by the ExpertIN computer learning school, based in Kavala.
Their shared passion for learning and digital skills, cultivated in Zoom’s “digital rooms,” ultimately led them to this unprecedented global success. Winning the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship is a significant accomplishment for Eleni Karakasidou and Kyriaki Petsa, and it can open up a multitude of academic and professional opportunities for their future.
What winning the Microsoft Office Championship could mean
Millions of jobs worldwide require Microsoft Office skills. This certification, especially at a world champion level, makes them incredibly marketable and can open doors to internships and entry-level positions across a wide range of industries, including business, finance, healthcare, and IT.
Beyond certification, the competition provides an invaluable networking opportunity. Participants engage with talented peers from around the world, as well as professionals and educators in the field. These connections can prove instrumental in shaping future academic and career paths.
Winners of the championship often receive scholarship prizes. While the amounts vary by year and category, top-place finishers typically receive substantial awards. For instance, past first-place winners have earned scholarships between $7,000 and $8,000 USD, while second-place winners have received between $3,500 and $4,000.
This prestigious honor also enhances eligibility for other national and international scholarships that reward high-achieving students with specialized digital skills.
Related: Greek Student Wins First Place in Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship
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