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Capitol Hill Challenge 2011

More than 200 schools and 1,563 student teams competed in the 2011 Capitol Hill Challenge. Forty-three Illinois teams participated on behalf of their sponsoring Member of Congress. The 2011 session of Capitol Hill Challenge ran 14 weeks, February 7 - May 13.

Read the press release issued May 23, 2011

See the Photo Album from the award event in Washington, D.C. June 16

Students from Neuqua Valley High School took first place after producing a portfolio value of $171,640.60. Participating team members include: Kunal Kochar, Shamil Shafi, Shane Shafi, and Brad Stimple. They were instructed by Kevin Geers, who has been using The Stock Market Game™ in his classroom for one year.

“Teamwork, communication, and researching skills are brought to a whole new level with this challenge,” Mr. Geers said. “Early on in the challenge, I saw a group of students very disappointed about a 20 percent portfolio loss work hours together to create and modify different strategies and turn their portfolio into a more than 50 percent gain! Whether it is success or failure with the portfolio values and investment choices, this challenge has brought market exposure, interest, and life-long lessons to many students at the high school level.”

The students met with their sponsor, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, at a reception for the top five teams across the U.S. on Capitol Hill June 16. Econ Illinois President Joanne Dempsey attended the reception to celebrate the Illinois-Neuqua Valley High School win.

Illinois Top Teams (43 Illinois teams participated)

• Neuqua Valley HS, $171,640: Judy Biggert, sponsor
• Illini West HS, $103,952: Bobby Schilling, sponsor
• St Francis HS, $102,305: Peter Roskam, sponsor
• Putnam County HS, $101,972: Aaron Schock, sponsor
• Illini West HS, $101,523

National Results

In order to receive an award the team must hold at least three stocks at the end of the game.