Southwest High School students Mylee, Cooper, Xavier and Alex invested in their academic portfolios this summer when they competed at a major financial contest.
The four Silver Hawks finished in seventh place at the National Junior Achievement (JA) Stock Market Challenge. Thirty-three groups from across the country put their critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills to the test during the contest, which took place at Boston University. Southwest earned a chance to compete for national honors by placing second in the Nebraska stock market competition this past April.
Cooper and Xavier both said it was exciting to be in the mix of top teams at nationals. Groups were tasked with growing their initial $1 million stock investment portfolio during the 90-minute event. The Silver Hawks soared into the top tier with a final amount of $1,639,877.83.
“It was a blast getting to go up against equally competitive teams with just as much drive as our own,” Cooper said. “My desire to place in the top three, as well as the higher level of competition, drove up my nerves, but also the enjoyment I got to experience throughout the competition. I’m glad I got the opportunity to go on this trip, and had I not been a senior I would have done it all over again.”
“It was really fun to be in Boston with all my friends, being able to just experience the entire event with some of the people I’m closest to,” Xavier said.
Junior Achievement USA Chief Marketing Officer Ed Grocholski said the stock market contest was helpful for students like Mylee, Cooper, Xavier and Alex. They had to demonstrate financial literacy, strategic decision-making talents and risk management skills to match their competitors on the leaderboard. They also experienced the inner workings of the investment process, which encouraged them to consider owning stocks in the future.
“Many people avoid investing because they don’t understand it,” Grocholski said. “While the National JA Stock Market Challenge gives students the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a trader on the floor of a simulated exchange, it also demystifies investing as a way to establish a stronger financial footing over time.”
The Silver Hawks laid the foundation for their national trip during the school year. They learned about investment strategies, stock market operations and gauging historical data of companies. They examined the financial background of fictitious businesses before selecting their portfolios for the state contest.
The four students continued to hone their business skills after earning second place at the 111-team state contest. The national event had a similar setup, as groups had 90 days to make real-time adjustments to their investments. Each “day” lasted one minute and featured breaking news that affected financial prices of companies. Students then determined whether to buy, sell or hold stocks for long-term profits.
Xavier and Alex both said they sharpened many business and personal talents in Boston. The contest’s unpredictable nature meant the Silver Hawks had to be flexible in their decision-making. They also had to develop short-term and long-term plans together, trust each other’s judgment, and make clear requests to stock traders during the game.
“I learned a lot about how to work as a team, as during our event everyone had to be coordinated in order to be successful,” Xavier said.
“I think it refined my communication skills, both within my group and with people I’ve never talked to before,” Alex said.
The contest also revealed the quartet’s ability to overcome obstacles. Southwest spent much of the day in the mid-teens on the leaderboard. Instead of giving up, the group made several savvy stock purchases that paid off in the final stretch. The team raced into the top ten spots during the contest’s last 20 days.
Cooper said the weeklong trip gave him large sums of priceless knowledge. Teams gained real-world insights about money, jobs and entrepreneurship during meetings with industry professionals. They also visited the headquarters of a national company and explored historic sites around Boston.
“From competing in the Stock Market Challenge, I feel like I got a better understanding of the opportunity that lies not just in the stock market but the economy as a whole,” Cooper said. “I feel more confident in putting my money in play, putting it in the market and giving it more opportunity to grow.”
Grocholski said experiences like the National JA Stock Market Challenge have benefits that will last well beyond the final bell of high school.
“Not everyone gets exposure to this kind of information in their daily lives, but JA learning experiences do that and help students achieve economic mobility – the chance to have the skills and confidence to achieve their potential in life,” Grocholski said. “That’s why these opportunities are so important.”
Learn more about the business, marketing and information technology (BMIT) courses that are helping LPS students.
Do you have a story idea? Share it with the LPS Communications Team by filling out this form!
