SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) is seeking sponsors and volunteers for its 19th Annual Stock Market Challenge on Thursday, November 7 at The Cedars in Springfield. The event offers student teams the chance to compete in an exciting Wall Street simulation, gaining skills and experience they can use in their futures.
“It’s so much fun to see how engaged and competitive the students are,” said Amie Miarecki, president, JAWM. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses and volunteers to help students throughout the region while having a great time themselves and inspiring the future financial leaders of tomorrow.”
During the simulation, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., approximately 350 middle and high school student teams are “given” $1,000,000 to invest in more than 50 fictitious stocks. With trading days lasting just 60 seconds, the goal is to build the highest portfolio net worth in a frantic 60 “days.” At the end of the event, students leave with a sense of how the stock market works and valuable insight into the importance of teamwork.
In the evening, the adults get in on the fun. Dinner is held at 5:30 p.m., and when the opening bell rings at 6:30 p.m., corporate sponsors and college student teams have their own opportunity to flex their stock-trading skills.
“The adults have as much fun as the kids, making this friendly competition a great team-building opportunity for employers,” said Miarecki. “We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities starting at $250, and are inviting companies across the region to participate.”
Major sponsors currently include Presenting Sponsor, St. Germain Investment Management; Educational Sponsor, Elms College; and Gold Sponsor, Country Bank.
For more information about the JAWM Stock Market Challenge, sponsorships and volunteering, visit jawm.org/stock-market-competition.
About Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts
Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by educators and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from five through age 25 knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement of Western MA was founded in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1919, making Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) the organization’s first chapter. Today, it serves thousands of young people in Western Massachusetts and parts of Worcester County and Vermont participate in JAWM learning experiences annually. For more information, visit jawm.org.