Hundreds of high school students from Nebraska gathered at Pinnacle Bank Arena recently to engage in the 10th annual Junior Achievement Stock Challenge. Over 600 students participated, showcasing their trading skills and knowledge of the stock market.
According to Toni Rupe, president and CEO of Junior Achievement, the competition is designed to immerse students in a fast-paced simulation that mimics real stock market conditions. Each minute in the competition is equivalent to a day in the trading world. Leading up to the event, students followed a curriculum aimed at helping them understand the workings of the stock market and the various factors influencing trades.
Participants were grouped into teams, where they engaged in buying and selling stocks using real market data tied to actual businesses. North Star High School student Noah Kak described the main objective: building the largest portfolio. “This is a stock-building competition, where you trade, buy, and sell stocks to try to get the most money,” Kak said. “It’s all with fake money, but it’s a fun learning experience that prepares us for the real world.”
Throughout the simulation, students frequently visited an information table to collect newsletters containing updates that could impact stock prices. Grand Island High School student Mya Myers shared insights on the kind of information included in these newsletters. “They tell you about breaking developments that can move the market, like if there’s a war or if someone suddenly gains popularity. Recently, one athletic company had a sponsorship with an NBA star, which caused their stock to spike,” Myers explained.
Rupe noted that many students have expressed interest in pursuing finance-related paths following their participation in the event. Junior Achievement is committed to extending the Stock Challenge across the state, including efforts to ensure accessibility for students in rural areas through both virtual and in-person options.
“We want to keep offering this experience to students statewide and make it available to those in rural areas as well. That’s why we’ve included virtual components alongside in-person events, but we would love to fill the arena completely,” Rupe said.
While the sustainability of the Stock Challenge remains uncertain, Rupe hopes the event will continue flourishing for years to come, enriching students’ understanding of finance and investment.
