A 15-year-old from the Isle of Man has been named one of the best Word users in the world.
Adam Drummond won a bronze medal at the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship for his knowledge of the word-processing program, taking home a cheque for $1,500.
The student earned a place in the final of the competition, held in Orlando, Florida, after winning the UK and Ireland region title in June.
“Coming third place in the whole world was an amazing feeling and an outcome I could never have expected when taking part in the MOS Test Fest at school,” Drummond said. From the start of my journey I wanted to put the Isle of Man on the map and I definitely feel like competing in this worldwide competition has done it.
“Taking part in what I originally thought would just be one simple MOS exam has led to many things, from representing the Isle of Man in London and the World Championships in Florida, to making many new friends and informing them all about the island. These are skills and experiences that will stay with me for life. Having all of this on my CV will inevitably help me to stand out above the rest.”
Drummond, who studies at St Ninian’s High School, wants to work in the aviation industry and has secured a work placement at Isle of Man Airport.
Andrew Flood, Chief Executive of Prodigy Learning, which sponsors the MOS event, said: “Congratulations to Adam, this is a fantastic achievement and he has been a great ambassador for the Isle of Man as well as the entire UK & Ireland region. The MOS Four Nations Championship is the highlight of our year, showcasing the best digital skills in the UK and Ireland.
“We’re delighted to see Adam continue the region’s history of success in the world championship and are already looking forward to next year.”
Everything you need to know about the MOS World Championship
Now in its 17th year, the MOS World Championship is an annual competition that tests students’ skills on Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The winner of each category is awarded a medal, trophy, certificate and $7,000, as well as Microsoft prizes. The latest event attracted more than 760,000 candidates from 116 countries – a 35% increase on 2017.
“We are very impressed with the winners of the MOS World Championship and grateful to meet so many young people who have realized the power of Microsoft Office skills for productivity and employability,” said Anthony Salcito, Vice President of Worldwide Education at Microsoft. “MOS certification gives students tangible proof they know how to use Microsoft Office tools in academics and on the job from day one.”
Any student aged 13 to 22 who takes an MOS exam in Word, Excel or PowerPoint in the qualifying round is automatically entered into the MOS Championship in their country, where they can compete to win a place in the final.
The 2019 MOS World Championship will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York between July 28 and July 31. Further details are due to be announced in September.
