Malea Lopes-Serrao, a student at D.C. Everest High School in Weston, Wisconsin, dominated the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Wisconsin State Championship Spring Qualifier, earning first place in the Microsoft Excel competition. With the win, she secures an invitation to compete at the national level in Nashville, Tennessee, marking a significant milestone for the district's career and technical education program. Several other D.C. Everest students also finished in the top 10 across multiple Office applications, underscoring the school's depth of technical talent.
The achievement comes at a time when digital fluency and data analysis skills are increasingly prized by employers. For Lopes-Serrao, the path to Nashville required mastering advanced spreadsheet functions, from complex formulas and pivot tables to data visualization and automation techniques. "This is a testament to Malea's dedication and the rigorous curriculum our teachers deliver every day," said a D.C. Everest technology instructor, who asked not to be named. "When students see that their skills can be measured against peers statewide — and come out on top — it validates all the hard work."
The MOS competition, administered by Certiport on behalf of Microsoft, is a globally recognized benchmark for proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. Participants take a timed exam that simulates real-world tasks in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. The Wisconsin Spring Qualifier drew entries from high schools and technical colleges across the state, with top performers advancing to the U.S. National Championship. Lopes-Serrao's first-place Excel finish guarantees her a spot in Nashville, where she will vie for a chance to represent the United States at the MOS World Championship.
At D.C. Everest, career and technical education is not an afterthought. The district has invested heavily in Microsoft 365 training, embedding certification preparation into business education and computer applications courses. "We believe that industry-recognized credentials give our students a leg up whether they're entering college or the workforce," explained the Career and Technical Education coordinator. "The MOS certification is concrete proof that they can solve real problems with technology." Students begin with the fundamentals of each Office application and progress through advanced topics, often earning multiple certifications by graduation.
Lopes-Serrao is not the first D.C. Everest student to shine on Microsoft's national stage. In previous years, the district has celebrated qualifiers in both Word and PowerPoint, building a culture of excellence that encourages underclassmen to aim high. The 2026 qualifier saw multiple Eagles place in the top 10 — a data point that speaks to broad-based achievement rather than a single outlier. "Success breeds success," the technology instructor noted. "When you see a peer heading to Nationals, you realize that door can open for you too."
The Excel competition tested skills that go far beyond simple spreadsheets. Contestants had to manipulate large datasets, create dynamic charts, apply conditional formatting, and automate tasks with macros. According to Certiport, the MOS Excel Expert exam measures the ability to manage and present information in ways that directly mirror job expectations in finance, engineering, marketing, and countless other fields. For Lopes-Serrao, the preparation likely involved dozens of practice exams, after-school review sessions, and independent study of advanced Excel features.
Why does Excel proficiency matter so much in 2026? The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning has actually amplified the importance of spreadsheet literacy. Businesses need employees who can clean data, build models, and interpret trends before feeding information into AI systems. Microsoft's own Copilot in Excel, now deeply integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite, assumes a base level of human understanding to operate effectively. "Tools like Copilot accelerate analysis, but you still need to know what questions to ask and how to validate the output," said a local business leader who has hired D.C. Everest graduates. "The MOS certification tells me a candidate can do the groundwork."
The road to Nashville will test Lopes-Serrao on an even more demanding Excel exam, one that is proctored under strict time constraints and pits her against state champions from every U.S. state and territory. If she wins there, she would earn a spot at the MOS World Championship, where top student finalists from over 120 countries compete for a global title. The weeklong event typically includes team-building exercises, Microsoft training sessions, and a high-energy awards ceremony. For many participants, the experience is life-changing — opening doors to internships, scholarships, and professional networks.
D.C. Everest administrators are already looking ahead to how they can build on this momentum. The district plans to expand its Microsoft certification lab, adding more hands-on practice stations and offering specialized workshops on Power BI and Microsoft Access. "We're not resting on our laurels," the CTE coordinator said. "Malea's win shows our approach works, but technology keeps evolving. We want every student to leave here with a competitive edge." The school also partners with local businesses to provide work-based learning opportunities, giving students a chance to apply their MOS skills in real offices and nonprofit organizations.
For Lopes-Serrao and the other top finishers, the spring qualifier is about more than medals and trophies. It is a tangible signal to colleges and future employers that they have achieved a nationally recognized standard of productivity and problem-solving. Many colleges accept MOS certifications as credit toward business information technology requirements, giving students like Lopes-Serrao a head start on their degree programs. At a time when the cost of higher education continues to climb, every advantage counts.
As the Nashville competition approaches, the D.C. Everest community is rallying behind its champion. Fundraising efforts are underway to cover travel and lodging, and the local news media has taken note of the remarkable feat. "It's exciting for the whole community," said one parent. "When a small-town school makes a splash like this, it reminds everyone that excellence isn't confined to big cities."
The 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship is expected to draw hundreds of students from across the country. Besides Excel, competitions will be held in Word, PowerPoint, and Access. Microsoft typically showcases new features of the Microsoft 365 suite at the event, offering attendees early looks at upcoming tools. For aspiring technology professionals, the conference is as much an educational summit as a contest. Industry experts advise participants to network broadly and attend as many workshops as possible.
D.C. Everest's results in the Wisconsin Spring Qualifier send a clear message: with the right training and encouragement, students from any background can master sophisticated digital tools. The school's emphasis on certifications aligns closely with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's goal of preparing career-ready graduates by embedding entrepreneurial and technology skills across the curriculum.
Looking ahead, Malea Lopes-Serrao's journey to Nashville is poised to inspire a new wave of students to pursue MOS certifications at D.C. Everest. Teachers already report that underclassmen are asking how they can get started on the Excel path. As one freshman said, "I want to be the one on that stage next year."