A young Greek high school student has made his mark on the international stage by ranking 9th globally in the prestigious Microsoft Office Specialist (MOSWC) 2024 championship, putting Greece on the map in the process.
Christos Vekios, a first-year high school student, started his journey with computers at the age of four, thanks to an old laptop he stumbled upon at home.
The young tech enthusiast began by using the laptop to listen to music and watch movies, but by the age of 10, his interest in computers deepened. He started creating websites for friends and family and later became the go-to person for solving tech issues in his circle.
Vekios explained his achievements in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), highlighting how his passion and skills in information technology have propelled him to the top. “This summer, I had the honour of representing my country at the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) 2024, where I secured 9th place globally,” said the student with pride.
The MOSWC is a global competition aimed at teaching young people, aged 13-22, how to use essential office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. These skills are increasingly important in a world where computers play a central role in both daily life and professional environments.
Vekios’ success in the competition is impressive. He earned 2nd place in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, further demonstrating his talent. His journey with computers began serendipitously at four years old, and by the age of 10, he realised that technology was his true passion. This realisation led him to pursue robotics competitions, where he also earned national and international accolades.
“I learned about this competition by chance when my grandfather was watching the news, and I saw a report on the silver champion at the time,” Vekios says.
He soon enrolled in specialised courses to improve his skills, and within a year, he achieved 1st place in Greece for Microsoft Word. His victory earned him a trip to California, where he competed with students from around the world.
“There, I managed to secure 2nd place in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, as well as 9th place globally,” he said.
Aside from the competitive aspect, the championship gave him the opportunity to experience different cultures and explore famous landmarks like Hollywood, Disneyland, and Santa Monica Beach.
For Vekios, the MOS competition was particularly significant. He explained that it has been held in Greece for the past 22 years, with three key stages. First, thousands of students across Greece compete in one of three categories: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
The top 100 are invited to the national finals, and the top three winners are given the chance to represent Greece in the global competition in the United States, where they vie for scholarships and other prizes.
Reflecting on the competition’s impact, the 15-year-old expressed concern about the rising issue of youth violence and delinquency.
“What worries me is that many children are marginalised, and unfortunately, most of us remain passive observers when we should be preventing these incidents,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of offering young people creative outlets like the MOS championship, which helps them develop valuable skills and gain life-changing experiences.
Preparing for such a competition, he said, is intensive and demanding.
“I focused on improving my knowledge and managing my time and stress, which proved crucial during the competition,” Vekios noted. His advice to young people interested in entering such competitions?
“Patience and persistence are the keys. Continuous practice and discipline are essential for reaching a global level. Despite the challenges, with the right approach, anything is possible.”
