HAMILTON TWP. — A new program offered at Little Miami High School is aimed at helping juniors and seniors get a head start in business.

        Through the Microsoft Office 2000 program, now in its second year, students can receive certification by Microsoft in seven programs, including Word, Power Point Excel and Access. In the future, students will begin training in Office XP.

        The course allows students to learn office business application, create databases and build presentations. Students also use the programs to research companies, stock history and employment data.

        Students are tested by instructor Regina Morgan to receive high school credit. It's optional whether a student wants to pay the $50 per program fee to receive Microsoft certification.

        Certification is important, explains Mrs. Morgan, whether students attend college or seek a job following graduation. She says it's rare to find a business or office that does not use computers, and students who take the course will already know the mechanics of the program, thereby reducing training at the workplace.

        Students who attend college often are able to test out of computer courses because of their certification, she says.

        The students work on laptop computers, which were purchased through a grant, in a wireless lab at the school. Students in two class periods share laptops.

        Mrs. Morgan says the school has an agreement with St. Clare Community College, where students with a 2.5 or higher grade point average can receive a $3,000 scholarship if they enroll in the college business program. She is trying to get other area colleges to sign on to the program.

        Dustin Abney, a junior, says the course will help him in college as he pursues a degree in computer information systems.

        “It's very rewarding,” says junior Cora Phipps, who is certified in Word and Excel. She says the course enables students to master each program and not just learn certain aspects.

        Junior Danielle Wylie, also certified in Word and Excel, says the course helps students learn how to perform math functions, prepare presentations, and learn how to do office work on computers.

        “If you can do all the practice tests, you can pass the certification test,” says junior Sarah Dazey.

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