Since the New Year, four students from Macfarland Middle School, DC taking LAYC’s Computer Literacy class taught by Abner Soto, have passed the Microsoft Word MOS exam with flying colors. These young men are utilizing their new skills in many ways, including teaching friends and family members.

Eduardo Merche, Luis Reyes, 14, and Jose Preza and Lino Blanco, 13, have joined the over five million people worldwide certified to date. But these computer wizards are unique: people at this young rarely have the skills to gain certification.

“We don’t often see individuals at this age pass the exam. Obviously your program is doing something right,” said Amy Hamblin from CertiPort, the company that created Microsoft Office Specialist certification, the world’s only globally recognized, standards-based credential for validating computer skills.

Another major player in the youths’ success is Horacio Olivas, Site Coordinator at Macfarland. He has played a crucial part in the youth’s growth and computer skills development.

“Horacio has worked really hard with the students,” said Abner Soto. “They would not be at the level they are in without his constant support.

Ernest Yombo, former LAYC staff member and now Macfarland Middle School’s Vice Principal, has seen the impact the computer classes have had on his students. “The students have changed. It has made them more responsible. The classes have made a big difference. It is great to see what [Abner and Horacio] have been doing with these young people.”

Student's Perspectives

For Luis, an eighth grade student and the first in his school to pass the exam, learning how to competently use Microsoft Word has been a great benefit. “Now it is easier to do my homework. I finish quicker,” said Luis who chose the computer class at Macfarland chose the class as an elective after hearing Horacio explain what the course entailed. Through the computer class, Luis has learned many new cool new tricks. Luis aspires to some day become a lawyer and he knows for sure that being computer literate will helps him now and will help him in the future.

A few months ago, Jose was completely unfamiliar with Microsoft Word. After passing the MOS exam, Jose aspires to be a computer technician. Jose feels other young people can benefit from learning how to properly manage computers. “Nowadays everyone needs to be familiar with computers. Almost all jobs require it,” he said. Jose enjoys playing with the computer and Microsoft so much that he has made it his hobby.

Lino was Macfarland’s first student to pass the MOS exam. On Mondays and Wednesdays, he parades around the computer classroom at Macfarland to help his fellow classmates. He has become one of Abner Soto’s aides. “This class has been really helpful. You can do your homework faster,” Lino said. “Now I can type 10 words per minute, and before I could only type one.” Lino, who aspires to be an engineer, believes that other young people should spend some time getting acquainted with computers. “Instead of watching so much TV, they can learn something useful. And learning how to use computers is useful.”

The first time Eduardo took the exam, his nerves got the best of him. “I thought it was going to be really hard, and I felt too nervous to think,” he said. Second time around, Eduardo really focused; all he had to do was to remember he knew the material like the back of his hand. After passing his exam, he feels a lot more confident. Now he knows how to insert tables in Microsoft Word among many other things he didn't know before.

The students were interviewed by CertiPort, and their stories will be featured in the company’s website under Success Stories.