Since early on in their educations, students are familiarized with keyboards and computers to give them the dexterity needed to type accurately and easily — a skill much-needed in today’s world. Whether it is using a tablet, phone or computer, it is difficult to get away from keyboards and needing to be proficient with them.

Each year, the STEM teachers and computer science teachers at Warren County Middle School host a contest for keyboard — the Keyboard Olympics. Through the Keyboarding Olympics, students are encouraged to master typing and pushing the limits of their capabilities in order to compete. This contest has been taking place since 2021.

“Students have a Chromebook that they use; they use desktops and they can also be using laptops. The keyboards are different on all of those devices,” Computer teacher Susan Barrett said. “We feel it’s a very important skill to have and to nourish. They practice some keyboarding every day. They don’t do it the whole class, but they do it part of the day and it reinforces those good habits like sitting up straight, having their feet flat on the floor and good posture while typing.”

Students who participate are given a one-minute test and three-minute test, and the results of both are averaged to provide an overall score for each entrant. The test takes note of WPM (word per minute) and accuracy when tallying a score.

“If you don’t do really well in the one minute, you’ve still got a chance to bump it up in the three minute, which I think one or two of them did,” Barrett said. “We enjoy the contest because it’s short and quick, but they work hard practicing for it. This particular group is very accomplished, so we’re really proud of them.”

This year’s overall winner won last year and returned to reclaim her title with 140 WPM and 99% accuracy: Nicabella Winton.

Winton is in 8th grade and is the second student to win Keyboard Olympics twice.

“She by far excels at keyboarding. It’s amazing to watch her,” Barrett said. “I think the biggest thing I notice about Nica is she doesn’t look down at her fingers at all, so I believe that’s the reason she’s able to go so fast.”

Sixth Grade Winners

First Place — Spencer Dariel

Second Place — Amelia Suydam

Third Place — Fabian Martinez

Seventh Grade Winners

First Place — Jennifer Calel

Second Place — Ramsey Harris

Third Place — London Scott

Eighth Grade Winners

First Place — Nicabella Winton

Second Place — Kenzie Weddington

Third Place — Jasmine Shore

The top three students in each grade roster received candy bags as rewards and the overall champion additionally has their name engraved on the Golden Keyboard.