Tylek Jones, Charles Ledbetter, Charles Lincoln, Erica Youngblood and teacher Joshua Barnett were honored on Tuesday, December 8 in Louisville at the Pendennis Club for placing first in their region in the Take Stock in Kentucky program this Fall. The Stock Market Game Awards banquet was hosted by the Kentucky Council on Economic Education and sponsored by Hilliard Lyons.

The winning team members were part of a group of 102 students in Mr. Barnett’s economics class.  Over the fall semester, they researched companies, made investment decisions, and created their portfolio, investing $100,000 in imaginary money in stocks from a list of approximately 200 stocks in the Take Stock in Kentucky program.  These companies are headquartered in Kentucky, or have significant presence through stores, plants, operations, or have regional importance to the Kentucky economy.  The team’s winning portfolio reflected $4,833 in gains with a final value of $104,833. Their most profitable investment was in Amazon. The students received certificates and t-shirts in addition to being recognized for their accomplishments.

During the fall 2009, 330 teams of 1,279 students and 30 teachers took part in the Take Stock in Kentucky competition.  The Take Stock in Kentucky program uses the Stock Market Game simulation which is a national program of the Foundation for Investor Education and is offered in Kentucky by the Kentucky Council on Economic Education (KCEE).  It is an interactive interdisciplinary program and Internet simulation for students in grades 4-12 to learn about investing, finance, and our American economic system.  Teachers are provided with educational resources to teach students about risk and reward, the stock market, and other economic terms.  “The program is used to enhance math, reading, writing, research, and technology skills, giving students a real-world experience while learning about the stock market”, said Susan Sandage, Kentucky Stock Market Game Coordinator.