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Illinois Capitol Challenge 2009

Five Illinois Senators and 24 Illinois State Representatives sponsored student teams from 30 schools this fall. Teachers invited to participate enrolled students in one of four fall SMG sessions, depending on the teaching and course schedule and calendar.

Invited teachers identified "Super Teams" from their SMG participants - teams that would compete on behalf of the school for the ICC awards. These Super Teams not only competed in the Illinois Capitol Challenge, but also competed within a specific SMG game window, by geographical region or grade-level division. Thus, the teams were eligible for two different awards using the same investment portfolio.

View the final Fall 2009 standings!

Winning teams were recognized in their schools, at a reception with parents, school administrators and their legislative sponsor. Teachers received cash awards to be used for their classroom. Students and their teachers received Illinois Capitol Challenge medals. All students participating in Illinois Capitol Challenge received certificates of participation.

First Place

• Phyllis Kidd, Wheaton North High School, Wheaton - team IL_29_ZZ917. They returned 15.23% above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $123,129. Their sponsor was Representative Franco Coladipietro, 45th District. Team members: Josh B, Alex C, Greg G, Miles K, Dan S.

At right, Joanne Dempsey, Econ Illinois President (left), Jill Bullo, Wheaton North Principal (second from left), Rep Coladipietro (center) and Matt Biscan, Wheaton North Assistant Principal (far right) celebrate with students from the first and second place teams.

Second Place

• Phyllis Kidd, Wheaton North High School, Wheaton - team IL_29_ZZ920. They returned 10.56% above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $118,460. Their sponsor was Representative Franco Coladipietro, 45th District. Team members: Letitia L, Eddie O, Peter R, Tyler S.

Ms Kidd has used the SMG program as part of her curriculum since Fall, 1995. She has also coached her economics students in the annual Econ Illinois competition, Economics Challenge.

Third Place

• Alexander Rhodan, Entrepreneurship HS, Chicago - team IL_33_ZZ777. They returned 7.54 % above the S&P 500 for the same time period. Their final equity was $111,458. Their sponsor was Senator Donne Trotter, 17th District.