Memorial AP Macroeconomics Students Win First and Second Place in Statewide Stock Market Simulation

If there were a stock for Memorial High School’s AP macroeconomics class, it would be soaring. This spring, students swept a statewide competition of the Stock Market Game, finishing first and second out of 186 teams—and taking home a cash prize, certificates and a deep knowledge of investing.

Starting with $100,000 in fictional funds and a 10 week period, students work together to create and manage a virtual investment portfolio of real world stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Each team is responsible for researching and evaluating potential investments, and must work together to decide to buy, sell or hold stocks. 

Memorial social studies teacher Chad Amini has had students participate in the competition as part of an AP macroeconomics class for more than 10 years. 

"Outside of learning about the stock market, it teaches collaboration and teamwork," Amini said. "While the game is a simulation, it does give students a real interest in investing on their own."

The first place winners took home $500 each: Max Garduno-Alva, Nathan Justman, Rubin Pantha, Benson Yang and Simon Rozeski. Second place winners include: Atticus Jaskunas, Jason Li, William Li, and Kevin Portillo. 

Justman, a junior on the first place team, said it was interesting to get to apply what they studied all year into a real-world scenario. 

"It became fun to really get into it, and try out different strategies," Justman said. "We pretty much did it all: buy low, sell high, buy quick, sell quick, go big or go home, and just followed patterns."

Students on both teams shared the significance of tracking stocks, specifically by analyzing their stock value charts. Rozeski zeroed in on companies' momentum, keeping an eye on if they were steadily building momentum—a good time to buy—or skyrocketing at an unsustainable pace—a red flag for an impending drop. 

"I've had kids say they're interested in going into economy and finance, which is absolutely cool to hear as a teacher," Amini said. "I think it's rewarding for everyone to see the payoff."