On Nov. 20, a room filled with over 50 volunteers, 145 teams and 580 local students from 34 high schools experienced the thrill of the stock market trading floor at Junior Achievement's 11th annual JA Stock Market Challenge.
Tonawanda High School's team placed 10th, with a 34.8% return on investment. Tonawanda students participating in the competition included Alyssa Licata, GiGi Gugino, Jordan Boyd, Corynne Wildrick, Justin Shrope, Chelsea Williams, Andrew Zirnheld and Allan "AJ" Harrington.
Northwest Bank was the presenting sponsor of this unique computer-simulated stock market event which took place at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo.
"Northwest is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the JA Stock Market Challenge. We would like to congratulate the winners and all the participants for their amazing preparation," said Trina Burruss, regional vice president and community relationship officer at Northwest Bank.
Students from all over Western New York competed with a starting portfolio of $1,000,000. The competition was fierce and the closest the event has ever seen. Event emcees Tom Puckett from WBEN and Ali Touhey from WKBW were an important part of the event as they announced the leader board, breaking news, stock performance and hot stock tips. Thirty-five volunteer "traders" locked in students’ buy and sell trades on the chaotic trading floor.