Perhaps those trying to drum up more state funding for education should give a call to Iola Middle School’s seventh-grade students.
A number of IMS teams of stock market traders turned in tidy profits through a statewide stock market game.
The trio of Madison Luken, Caressa Lowell and Kathy Tush wound up earning a $13,000 “profit” on an initial investment of $100,000.
Their earnings, which topped 19 other IMS teams, wound up taking third place overall in the state, said social studies instructor Roger Carlin. Statewide, 166 middle school teams competed.
The students were given a simulated $100,000 to invest in whatever type of portfolio they pursued.
Luken, Lowell and Tush invested heavily in the popular movie sharing company Netflix as well as more traditional companies such as The Hershey Company and PepsiCo.
The trading took place from mid-February to mid-March.
As has become custom, Iola Middle School’s trading prowess stacked up favorably against other schools in the state. Six IMS teams wound up placing in the top 20 in terms of profit.
The exercise gave the students insight into a number of important life lessons, only a smidgeon of which dealt solely with economics.
Students who were better versed in current events had a leg up on knowing which stocks tended to be more productive. Mathematics was a constant theme, as was developing a keen business sense — knowing when to buy and sell and when a patient approach was more beneficial.
The top three teams from IMS were treated to a limousine ride to Pizza Hut for lunch Friday.
IMS stock wizards treated
