Kiwanis supported investment education programs

Kiwanis supported investment education programs

Tuesday morning 5/26 Mariemont Kiwanis honored the winning teams of Junior High Stock Market Game (www.stockmarketgame.org), a national program to assist schools by exploring the fundamentals of personal finance and investing.  The six members of ”Stock Bros” (8th grade) and four members of “The Stalking Ninja Panthers” (7th) were 22nd and 28th out over 500 teams in the UC-operated SMG for SW Ohio schools.  Ten MJHS teams (48 students) each started with $100,000 on March 17 and had ten weeks to grow their portfolios.  Lead by four Kiwanis volunteers who met the teams once per week over lunch, they learned to

  • Gain an understanding of the free market system
  • Learn how to research and recognize good (and bad) businesses for investment
  • Apply math, social studies, reading and economics to financial decisions
  • Learn basic teamwork, time & information management

The “Stock Bros” (6 boys) were active investors focusing on technology and energy, gaining 8% in the 10 weeks.  The “Ninjas” (4 girls) were conservative investors retaining 30% cash (losing 1%).  During the ten weeks the DOW increased 1% and the NASDAQ dropped 4%; the advisors did not give them specific stocks to purchase, all ideas were their own.  Mariemont Kiwanis funds the MJHS SMG program and provides the volunteer advisors.

When they move on to the Mariemont high School, they will have the opportunity to join a unique investment club – the Green Envy Investment Club whose members are all students of Mariemont High School.  The students invest their own real money.  Meeting in the school library around a very long table, the 28 member club could be taken for a very young corporate board.  They oversee a diversified portfolio of 21 stocks.  Over their 12 year club history, graduating seniors have always left with a profit.  Over a four year period, this year’s seniors saw a 27.5% increase in their club portfolio.

The club has been fortunate to have two Kiwanians as mentors since the inception of the club.  Roger Stafford, who originated the club, is joined by Bob Lowery, who along with mentoring, handles the club’s accounting functions. Roger & Bob are also Directors of the local BI Chapter (www.betterinvesting.org). Kiwanis provides club’s accounting software and recruits local leaders (usually parents with investment management experience) who guide the club officers.  Typical annual agendas include a company visit and an annual meeting (PG, VIVO), with occasional excursions (Chicago/CME, NY/NDAQ).  For any further information about the club, contact Scot Weston (swestonoh@cinci.rr.com), Roger Stafford (Roger.Stafford@fuse.net) or Bob Lowery (rlowery@cinci.rr.com).

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