Mary Lynch Students Dominate Statewide Stock Market Game

The Mary Lynch Elementary 5th graders will once again be participating in the Stock Market Game which is held throughout the year by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education under the advisement of 5th Grade Teacher Laurie Janicek.

“The Game entails that the teams begin the simulation with $100,000 to invest. They must invest in at least five different stocks, and they have to purchase 100 shares in each stock. They also need a majority to make a purchase on any stock,” Janicek said.

The 5th graders had previously competed in the game that ended December 19th in which they took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th and a few other places in the competition. For the Spring competition, the lineup of the teams will slightly change.

“The 9 teams that didn’t place in the top three are participating in the Spring Competition” Janicek said.

According to Janicek, the kids take the game very seriously.

“They’re thrilled. The neatest thing is every day they update their stocks. They come flying in the room to see where they stand,” Janicek said.

Although Janicek helps the kids by keeping them aware of current happenings, the kids seem to do just fine on their own.

“They come up with their own things, and the conversations around the room are amazing. They ask questions to figure out what stocks are better investments. One group even asked who had the contract for the Super Bowl: Coke or Pepsi? It’s just incredible,” Janicek said.

The Spring competition runs from January 7 through April 19.