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Shiprock, NM — In a triumphant display of financial acumen, the students of Shiprock High School emerged as the champions of the Fall 2024 Stock Market Game in the high school category. This victory is a testament to their hard work, research, and strategic thinking, showcasing how the program equips students with essential life skills for the real world.

The Stock Market Game, hosted by the SIFMA Foundation, is a competition where students manage a simulated $100,000 portfolio, gaining hands-on experience in economics, finance, and market dynamics. The competition spans approximately three months, during which students actively manage their portfolios.

Tallehatchi King, a senior at Shiprock High School, said he became very interested in investing as a result of the program. He emphasized the desire to start investing after graduation, stating, "I'm just looking to invest, you know, make my money work for me.” Initially, King, who goes by Hatchi, thought it was just a class assignment and was unaware it was an actual competition, noting, "I wasn't really too sure it was a whole like actual competition. I thought it was just within the class."

The students were tasked with researching stocks and monitoring their performance, with a specific buying period for trading. Hatchi concentrated on mutual funds and ETFs, selecting stocks to enhance his portfolio. He used knowledge from a dual credit class, as well as his own independent research, to help him in the competition. He said, "I mainly looked into like mutual funds and ETFs... I had to research it myself to get first place.”

Brian Dixon, Shiprock High's economics teacher, explained that the class teaches students about investing and finance. Dixon stressed the importance of research and staying informed about economic events in the U.S., stating, "You've got to research. You've got to keep on top of things on what's going on in America with stocks.. with businesses.” He noted that students work in groups to monitor their stocks weekly.

The program has helped students become more aware of their role in the economy and how their contributions impact its growth. Additionally, students learn how investing in the stock market can benefit both themselves and society. Dixon noted, "They're going to be a lot more invested into the overall economy...they can also invest into society, invest into the economy, invest into government."

Hatchi's strategic investments led him to first place, an achievement he did not anticipate. The SIFMA Foundation recognized Shiprock High School for its outstanding performance, underscoring how students are developing crucial analytical and critical thinking skills.

The Stock Market Game not only teaches students about the stock market, it also provides them with important financial literacy skills. The program emphasizes long-term saving and investment while enhancing subjects such as math, language arts, economics, and social studies. The program fosters financial responsibility and prepares them for future academic, career, and personal finance challenges. Both Dixon and King noted the potential of the economic class to spark a lifelong interest in investing. Hatchi said, "it gave me a lot more insight and knowledge about what to expect when I do start investing".

The success of Shiprock High School highlights the positive impact of the Stock Market Game, demonstrating how it cultivates financial literacy and provides students with tools to make informed decisions about their future. This serves as an example of how programs can provide students with skills they can use after they graduate from high school.