Students from Calvert County achieved remarkable success in the Maryland Council on Economic Education's (MCEE) competitions this school year, standing out among more than 20,000 participants from 20 Maryland counties. The winners were honored on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at an awards ceremony at Towson University.
The MCEE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping Maryland's children with vital economic and financial knowledge, organizes these annual competitions. The MCEE also supports educators by offering professional development opportunities and creating lesson plans that integrate financial education across various subjects and grade levels. Each year, the MCEE supports over 2,000 teachers who reach more than 228,000 students in Maryland.
Celebrating Calvert County's Achievements
These competitions provide a fun and competitive environment for students to learn about personal finance and economics—subjects often not included in standard school curriculums. Julie Weaver, MCEE Executive Director, praised the students, stating, "The winning students from these statewide competitions should be proud of these wonderful accomplishments. They have creatively shown their understanding of personal finance and economics concepts and demonstrate how important this kind of learning is for all children."
Highlights of Calvert County Winners
Stock Market Game™ Success
Calvert County students excelled in the Stock Market Game™, a semester- or year-long simulation where teams manage an imaginary $100,000 portfolio to achieve the highest return on investment. This competition teaches participants about the stock market, the American and global economy, and develops skills in math, reading, research, and critical thinking.
Stock Market Game , yearlong Regional Champions, SOuthern Region
- Northern Middle School Team: Fitz Human, Nathaniel Kim, Elliot Musser, Elias Pande, Chase Snyder. This team won the Yearlong Regional Championship for the Southern Region with an impressive portfolio growth of 32.9%.
- Calvert Middle School Team: Evelyn Aguto, Brooke Grosek, Finley King, Ava Serrano. This team won the Spring Regional Championship for the Southern Region with a portfolio growth of 9%.
Poetry Competition
Calvert County students also shone in the Financial Education Poetry Contest, which celebrates Financial Education Month by inviting students and educators to create original poems about personal finance topics.
- Sunderland Elementary: Porter Wilkenson, 4th Grade.
- Northern Middle: Amanda Price, Teacher.
Poster Competition
In the Personal Finance Poster Competition, where students demonstrate their understanding of economic concepts through original art, Calvert County had notable winners.
- Dowell Elementary: Angus Wu, 5th Grade.
The Importance of Financial Education
The annual competitions organized by the MCEE play a crucial role in promoting financial literacy and economic education among students. These events emphasize the importance of understanding personal finance and economic principles, which are essential for success in adulthood. By participating in these competitions, students not only gain valuable knowledge but also develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
The dedication and hard work of students, teachers, and sponsors like M&T, WesBanco, State Farm, Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, First Financial Federal Credit Union, and Towson University are integral to the success of these programs. Julie Weaver highlighted the significance of these efforts, stating, "The creativity and understanding shown by the students in these competitions underline the importance of integrating financial education into our school systems. It's wonderful to see so many young individuals excelling and preparing for their futures."
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