From her early fascination with computers to her triumphant victory at the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) World Championship, Alkmini Gaitantzi’s journey is a testament to perseverance. She has conquered Excel. She has inspired others. She has shared her story on the world stage.
Read on to revisit Alkmini's captivating journey to the MOS World Championship and the Spreadsheet Champions documentary.
Who is Alkmini?
Certiport : Alkmini, we’re so grateful that you took the time to share your story with us. Why don’t you tell us a little more about yourself.
Alkmini: My name is Gaitantzi Alkmini, and I'm from Greece. I am 21 years old and a fourth-year student studying computer science. I am a persistent perfectionist, always aiming for the best and I won’t give up until I get a project exactly where I want it. While my tendency to focus on getting things perfect can be stressful, it also helps me focus on my goals and find ways to improve.
Certiport: We definitely saw that perfectionism when you competed in the MOS World Championship. But we’ll talk more about that shortly. We want to dive more into your background. Have you always been interested in technology?
Alkmini: I have been fascinated by technology and computers since I was very young. I remember trying to learn how to use a keyboard before I could write on paper. I was very curious about how computers worked and really wanted to explore this world on my own. At 11 years old, I received an academic scholarship to attend an after-school computer science academy, ExpertIN. And I’ve been hooked on technology ever since.
Techie to Microsoft Office Specialist
Certiport: Is the academy where you learned about Microsoft Office Specialist certification? Or did that come later?
Alkmini: Yes, the academy is where I learned about the MOS certification program. According to the rules, I was eligible to participate in the MOS Championship from the age of 13, even though I didn’t take my first Microsoft certification exam until I was 15. I chose Excel because it's my favorite Office application. I love numbers and math, so it makes sense that I'd love Excel. I was so excited to be able to participate in the MOS Greece Championship, because they only select 100 students from the country to compete in the national competition.
Certiport: What was it like preparing to compete in the MOS Championship?
Alkmini: It was a long journey but so worth it! Before coming to compete at the MOS World Championship, I was an Excel Champion two other times in Greece. I landed in eighth place in 2019 and third in 2022. But 2023 was the year that I had been dreaming about. It was truly my year. I won first place in Microsoft Excel and took home the gold medal.
I think competing multiple years helped me gain the experience I needed. Plus, I had to put in so much hard work and built my knowledge year after year. I am so grateful for my mentor and teacher, Mr. Panagiotis Aslanidis, who helped me throughout the entire journey.
Certified to compete
Certiport: You certainly earned your gold medal! Was the MOS World Championship everything you expected it to be?
Alkmini: It was such a unique experience. The emotions I felt representing my country were so special. It’s almost impossible to put into words. I met people from all over the world. We exchanged ideas, and I learned more about other cultures. One of the most amazing things was realizing how much we all had in common.
Ultimately, I think the most amazing part was how much it improved my self-confidence. I realized that I could achieve my dreams, and from that moment on, I started to believe in myself and my potential more. This experience has helped me grow and inspired me to pursue my goals with even more passion. I know that my dreams can come true if I believe and work hard to achieve them.
Documentary star
Certiport: You said the competition was a unique experience, and yours was more unique than most. You were selected by GoodThing Productions as a star for their documentary, Spreadsheet Champions. What was it like working on that project?
Alkmini: It was an honor to represent all of Europe, but I was definitely nervous and anxious at first. It’s so hard to talk about yourself on camera. However, once I got to know the producer, Anna Charalambous, and the director, Kristina Kraskov, I felt much more at ease.
There were long days of filming, but rather than feeling tired, I felt so grateful and happy. It was crazy to have a microphone on constantly at the MOS World Championship, and a camera following me around, but I wouldn’t change any of it.
I want to thank everyone who helped make this documentary a reality. What a wonderful opportunity for me and the other students to share our successes with people around the world! It is now premiering in different countries around the world. Competing in the MOS World Championship and my trip to America were once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But being part of this documentary and working with everyone involved made it even more special!
Preparing for the future
Certiport: We loved watching your journey and we know that so many people will too. Now that the documentary is finished, I’m sure people will want to know what you’re doing now and what your plans are for the future.
Alkmini: Alongside my university studies, I’m now working as an Excel coach, helping students expand their skills and prepare for their MOS certifications. I’ve worked with students competing in the MOS Championship, which I love. Last year, one of my students won the bronze medal and three others placed in the top ten. This year, two of my students won silver and bronze medals and four others placed in the top ten. My experience with Microsoft Excel will always stick with me, and I’m excited to pay it forward.
Competing in the MOS Championship helped me improve my communication and collaboration skills, which are invaluable in my coaching and teaching work. Combine that with the new confidence I feel, and I know I’ll be able to achieve all the goals I set for myself.
Words of wisdom
Certiport: We have no doubt that you’re going to help so many other students in your coaching journey. What advice do you have for students?
Alkmini: Never give up! Learning new technology skills or getting certified is a process that requires patience, perseverance, and consistency. There are many steps to climb, and you often don't reach the top on your first try. And that's okay. We need to accept mistakes because they are a normal part of growth. I didn’t succeed on my first try. But even after I won the medal, I realized that that wasn’t what was most important. What I really valued was the knowledge and skills I gained. To me, that's the best reward. Enjoy the journey because in the end, it's not just the title or certification that matters, but everything you've gained along the way.
Certiport: We couldn’t agree more. Do you have any advice you want to share with teachers? Especially now that you’re in a teaching role yourself?
Alkmini: I may be a teacher now, but I still feel like I’m too new to give good advice. But I can say what I wanted from a teacher when I was a student. I wanted to feel supported and encouraged. We teachers need to create an environment that encourages exploration, creativity, and making mistakes. Especially with technology changing so quickly, students need the chance to try new things, even alongside their teachers. Being honest about our limitations and willing to learn with our students creates a meaningful connection.
But I think my most important piece of advice is to pay attention. Teachers should recognize and nurture their students’ passions. It makes all the difference. Look where it took me!
Want to hear even more about Alkmini's experience? Get all the documentary details here.