12th Annual JA Stock Market Challenge Presented by Farm Bureau Financial Services Empowers Students in Central Iowa
Des Moines, IA Junior Achievement of Central Iowa’s 12th Annual JA Stock Market Challenge was a success raising over $80,000 thanks to the generous support of many community organizations throughout the metro. Most notable, was the Presenting Sponsor, Farm Bureau Financial Services, as well as other leading sponsors; EMC Insurance, John Deere, MidAmerican Energy and Prairie Meadows.
This year’s event was held in Johnston at John Deere with the event committee co-chaired and led by local business leaders, Casey Decker of Farm Bureau Financial Services and Dave Moore of Businessolver.
The JA Stock Market Challenge was an exciting, fast-paced competition that provided high school students the opportunity to participate in a day of simulated stock trading. Students participated in 60, one-minute trading days where they learned to buy and sell stocks, while analyzing opportunity and risk. This year's JA Stock Market Challenge featured 131 students from 11 area high schools. Top honors for the high school challenge were awarded to Marshalltown High School.
This event also boasted an opportunity to network and participate in friendly competition on the simulated stock market floor. Of the 18 corporate teams present, Prairie Meadows won the Highest Net Gain trophy and the ITA Group secured the title of Highest Net Worth.
Leading up to the JA Stock Market Challenge, students were also given the opportunity to participate in the JA Career Exploration Hour, which consisted of 19 businesses and organizations that presented career paths and insight in to a variety of industries. Students were able to take part in meaningful conversations with business leaders and learn about future opportunities, education needed and company profiles within career clusters. Proceeds from the event benefit local students who experience Junior Achievement’s financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs. Multiple businesses and organizations helped facilitate the day along with JA and John Deere staff.
About Junior Achievement of Central Iowa
Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Iowa, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. JA of Central Iowa helps Kindergarten-12th grade students connect what they learn in school with the working world while fostering financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JA of Central Iowa serves students through a dedicated network of volunteers in 27 Central Iowa Counties. For more information about Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, please visit jacentraliowa.org