Wayne high schooler competes in global Microsoft contest

She earned an all-expenses-paid trip to compete against students from 26 countries in the Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office in San Diego, Calif., from Monday to Wednesday.

Hill became interested in technology while taking a required business course at Spring Creek High. She became the school's first student to earn a Microsoft Office certification.

"I had never really done anything with technology other than write school reports," Hill said in a statement. "However, I discovered that I loved the course and especially excelled in using Microsoft Word. Earning certification and becoming a finalist is an incredible resume and confidence booster."

"She had never taken a business class, but I could tell from her determination that that she would work hard and earn certification," Hill's business teacher, Jennifer Tyndall, said.

Tyndall said that earning certifications from the Microsoft IT Academy has piqued student interest in business courses at Spring Creek High. About 200 of the school's 855 students have taken courses in the academy.

"The public education system in North Carolina has made certification a priority to build college and career skills among their students," said Ray Kelly, CEO of Certiport, a test delivery company that sponsors the Microsoft Office competitions. "Spring Creek High School has led the charge, and teacher Jennifer Tyndall is doing an excellent job of motivating and helping her students master the Microsoft Office suite."

Hill will compete for scholarships and cash prizes at the Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office.

She will attend the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in the fall. She plans to major in music education and wants to teach at the college level.