York HS Takes Second Nationally In Stock Market Game

ELMHURST, IL — York High School has been competing in the Capitol Hill Challenge for the last few years. This year, however, one of the teams at the school finished second in the entire country. The Capitol Hill Challenge is a national program that teaches middle and high school students the importance of saving and investing, while also gaining a better understanding of government, according to a release.

"Schools are awarded 10 stock teams, and we have traditionally split these teams between our Honors Personal Finance course and our Economics Club," Business Department chair Jim Borel, said in a release. "This year, 4 of our 10 teams finished in the top 1 percent of the 3,939 stock teams participating in the Capital Hill Challenge. The second place team in the country consists of seniors Burke Corcoran, Kevin Lipkin, Mark Leali and junior Jason Kentra. This team was part of Tamra Carl's Economics Club."

In the challenge, teams invest a hypothetical $100,000 in listed stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and learn the value of the capital markets as they work together to maximize the return of their portfolios, according to a release.

"Tamra does a great job and should be commended for our national second place finish. I will be accompanying the team on the trip to Washington, DC from June 20-22. SIFMA covers all expenses for the trip," Borel added in the release. "Last year, we finished in ninth place in the country with a CHC team from the Honors Personal Finance course. This a great opportunity for our students to learn investing strategies. The trip is also a great opportunity for our students see our democracy in action."

An awards reception will be held on June 21 in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capital Hill in Washington, DC.

"I also want to note that this is a special accomplishment because three years ago members of this team were in line to make the top 10 in the nation and got bumped out the last night of the competition. It was their goal every year since then to place in the top 10," Carl said in a release. "I am so proud of them for working hard to trade strategically up until the very end of the competition, showing leadership to the Economics Club at our weekly meetings, and meeting their objective!"

According to a release, middle and high school students from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia participated in this year’s competition.

Montgomery Area High School in Pennsylvania was this year's winner of the stock market game.

Photos provided by District 205.