Ridge View Academy Financial Literacy students attended the 2011 Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge at the stunningly modern Cable Center at the University of Denver. Two groups of four students arrived with half-million dollar portfolios of fictitious stocks that were furiously traded back and forth between teams assembled from high schools across Colorado. Giant screens listed the relative growth and decline of each school’s portfolios as a huge stock ticker tracked the ups and downs of each stock.

  Fifty seven groups competed for the top three spots in this highly competitive process. Students frantically fought for the attention of floor traders as they bought and sold, while constantly updating their portfolios and reading important “Hot Tips” and “Press Releases” that were delivered to their tables. Even though only three could win awards, all fifty-seven teams were winners as the students learned about the fast-paced world of stock trading by actually doing it.

“You can study about things, but real-life is a different experience,” Student/Athlete Jalen A. explained with a smile…It makes you feel good when you’re making money, but it’s not so good when you’re losing. We also got the chance to socialize with people our age,” he added.

“You had to know how to add up your buys and keep track of your stocks and what you actually had.” Said student/Athlete Oscar T., admitting to the need for intensive math skils.

All in all the event was a huge success in the ever growing partnership between Ridge View Academy and Junior Achievement which includes events such as the JA Finance Park and a twice a year Junior Achievement day at Ridge View Academy. The partnership is truly an example of Positive Youth Development as it gives students the opportunity to develop useful skills while at the same time provides the community with an opportunity to see our students interacting positively with society.