In their first year competing in the Capitol Hill Challenge (CHC), students from Houston Middle School placed second, earning a three-day trip to Washington, D.C. to kickstart their summer.
The CHC, held annually with the full participation of Congress, invites thousands of public school students nationwide to participate in an educational online competition that deepens their understanding of personal finance and economics. Participants compete by investing a hypothetical $100,000 portfolio in an online investment simulation.
Under the guidance of math teacher Michelle Nguyen, Houston Middle School students learned the fundamentals of capital markets and investing. They applied their knowledge by managing diversified portfolios of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash. Over 15 weeks, the students conducted research and developed methods to ensure the highest portfolio gains, improving their understanding of math, economics, and personal finance along the way.
The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the SIFMA Foundation awarded the winning students a fully-funded trip to Washington, D.C., from June 11 to 13. During the trip, students visited the Capitol, met Congressman Marc Veasey, and shared their investment strategies with peers and leaders.
“I want to congratulate all the students and schools that participated in this year’s Capitol Hill Challenge,” said Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr., SIFMA president and CEO. “Our industry is committed to helping young people learn the importance of saving and investing, while also providing them a solid foundation to achieve their future financial goals.”
The winners from Houston Middle School are Alexander Demeza, Henry Hernandez, Landon Orellana Reyna, Miguel Salazar, and their teacher, Michelle Nguyen.
About the SIFMA Foundation
The SIFMA Foundation is committed to closing the opportunity gap by fostering greater knowledge of the financial markets for young people of all backgrounds. Drawing on the support and expertise of educators and the financial industry, the Foundation provides financial education to strengthen economic opportunity across communities and increase awareness of the benefits of the global marketplace. Since 1977, the Foundation’s flagship program, The Stock Market Game™, has guided more than 22 million students on their path to financial independence by attaining stronger life skills, improving academic achievement and boosting their social-emotional learning. For more information on the SIFMA Foundation, visit www.sifma.org/foundation.
