Hays, Kan. (February 17, 2026) — The winners of the 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Kansas State Championship Fall Qualifier have been announced by Certiport, a Pearson Business, the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate people’s academic and career opportunities.

Winning 1^st place in the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel (Office 2019), category is Kamden Keller of Ellis,KS, at Fort Hays Tech | North Central’s Business Technology program. Kamden competed against students from across Kansas to earn this coveted placement. 

“I’ve used excel almost my whole life but it is amazing how much you can do with the application the deeper the dive into it, I’m really happy to have learned these skills as I know I will be using excel in many different ways to keep me organized in the future!”" said Kamden Keller.

Taking 1^st place in the Microsoft Office Specialist Word (Office 2019), category is Kara Roulier of Brewster,KS, at Fort Hays Tech | North Central’s Business Technology program. Kara also competed against students from across Kansas to earn this coveted placement. 

“Winning the Kansas championship proves to me that we are truly learning so much here at Fort Hays Tech North Central. It is insane how I went from barely knowing Word to knowing enough to win the Kansas championship" said Kara Roulier.

Winning the state of Kansas Outstanding Educator of the Year category is Jennifer Younger, Instructor – Business Technology program at Fort Hays Tech | North Central. Jennifer competed against instructors from across Kansas to earn this prestigious award. 

"This semester, our students didn't just learn software—they mastered it! Sweeping the state titles in Word and Excel is a historic win for the Business Technology program at Fort Hays State | North Central. Furthermore, the 'Excel Expert Certification' is an incredibly high bar to clear. The four students who reached 'Excel Expert' level required a level of grit and technical precision that few achieve.  These aren't just classroom wins; these are marketable, high-level professional skills that will set them apart in any business career path they choose. Watching my students obtain these industry-recognized credentials from Microsoft is a career highlight." said Jennifer Younger.

To compete in the Fall Qualifier, students aged 13 to 22 were eligible to participate in one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on the MOS Word, Excel®, or PowerPoint® certification exams by December 19, 2025. 

The first-place students will get to represent Kansas at the upcoming 2026 MOS U.S. National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. During this event, they will compete in their exam track, network with other top students from around the United States and celebrate their certification success. One winner per track will be named the U.S. National Champion and earn a trip to represent the United States and compete in the 2026 MOS World Championship in Anaheim, California. 

“We have seen amazing results from the MOS program at our school as students learn and validate key workforce skills,” said Jennifer Younger, Instructor – Fort Hays Tech | North Central Business Technology program. “The MOS U.S. National Championship further motivates them to get certified, and we are proud of these students who have proven to be the best in our state.  We know they will go on to make us proud at the MOS U.S. National Championship in June.”

The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification for Microsoft Office globally and serves as a powerful instrument for assessing students’ skills and preparing them for real-world application of their knowledge.

For more information about the MOS U.S. National Championship visit www.us.moschampionship.com. For more information about Fort Hays Tech | North Central contact Ryan Emerson – Marketing Director, at remerson@fhtechnc.edu or (785) 738-9008.