Econ Illinois
The Stock Market Game Program
-
Illinois Capitol Challenge
Winners, Fall 2008
A special pull-out program in the fall is funded by Citigroup Foundation. Illinois Capitol Challenge matches Illinois legislators to their district's schools. The legislators sponsor their teams in name only, received bi-weekly updates on the rankings of participating teams, and are sent invitations to assist with recognition of teams' participation and achievements at the end of the session.
Participating teams were registered in three different fall 2008 sessions, leading some to begin investing as early as September 8, and others to begin as late as November 7. The choice of start date is entirely up to the teacher's curriculum schedule. Because of the market fluctuations during the fall of 2008, and the students' varied investment schedule, evaluation of teams' portfolio's success to determine winners is the comparison to the S&P 500 for the same time as their portfolio was being managed.
The first place team and teacher are invited to visit the sponsoring legislator's office in Springfield, with expenses paid by the Citigroup Foundation grant. Second and Third place teams are recognized at a ceremony in their school. First, second and third place teachers receive cash awards to be used for their classroom. Students and their teachers receive Illinois Capitol Challenge medals.
Following is a list of the top three teams, the teacher and school, along with the legislator who sponsored them.
First Place
- Donald Zabelin, Community High School, West Chicago - team IL_5_ZZ1243. They returned 34.58% above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $103,443.23. Their sponsor was Representative Mike Fortner, 95th District.
Second Place
- Terry Levan, Carlinville High School - team IL_5_ZZ484. They returned 29.86% above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $98,722.42. Their sponsor was Senator Deanna Demuzio, 49th District.
Third Place
- Janice Hawkins, Anthony Overton Elementary School, Chicago - team IL_16_ZZ439. They returned 25.93 % above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $98,510.48. Their sponsor was Senator Mattie Hunter, 3rd District. Awards were presented during an in-school assembly.