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High School Stock Club Set Sights for Wall Street

Even with the rocky economy, students aren't deterred about learning about the economy, market.

When the majority of Wall Street tycoons are gambling with their own money, a group of Shorewood High School students are investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in pretend or monopoly money into stocks.

These “pretend” investments won't come without a learning experience.

The students will get a first-hand look at the real dough when their club, the Stock Club, takes a summer trip to visit Wall Street in New York City.

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What started as an interest of two students has exploded into a full-on club featuring more than 20 members this year. Now, that team is looking to expand its educational reach to Wall Street.

The group meets over the course of six weeks to mimic the market. Each team is granted $100,000 to invest in stocks traded within the United States. The teenage investors are involved in trading, which opens up a level of dialogue among the participants in the team. There don't leave empty handed for their artificial investments however, as the top investor is awarded with lunch or pizza.

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The unique team has had members of various investment firms discuss stocks, mutual funds and even investments in the oil industry. The students learn the lesson of risk versus reward when looking at the market.

Jessica Braun, a high school social studies teacher and club advisor, was able to reinforce the importance of the trip at a recent School Board meeting, describing a field trip to Robert W. Baird last year.

“Everyone I met with said how neat it was to meet with high school students and how they wish they had that opportunity at that age, and to me this is able to take it one step further,” she said.

The entire team is more than excited to be meeting with members of massive economic influence on Wall Street, including Robert W. Baird representatives.

Not only will the team be getting an understanding of the happenings on Wall Street, they will also be absorbing a large quantity of culture in the big city. On top of shopping in any number of venues in Times Square, the students also look forward to being on the lookout for top celebrities, with the hope of snagging their autographs or pictures of namesakes like Roger Clemens and Paris Hilton.

“Yes, some students would like to do some celebrity hunting and I'm sure there will be shopping in there,” Braun said.

Though the trip is planned with bits of fun, she reinforces that the reason behind going to New York is primarily academic.

There will be an enrichment course for attendees two weeks prior to the trip in addition to the lessons learned during the season. Braun says that the course will really “set the itinerary” and provide a great backdrop for the kids as they prepare to set off for the trip.

In addition, funding this kind of an ordeal hasn't been entirely easy.

Selling chocolates has been the most popular way to organize money for the trip. Student “Daronda” had her first payment for the field trip entirely covered through chocolate bar sales.

“We're really looking at ways to get out in the community,” Braun said.

Another fundraising activity involves putting on a show at a student's home, showcasing various products and how they work. The attendees can then arrange to purchase the items after the end of the show.

Businesses and individuals looking to get involved, support, and donate to the stock team's field trip can make donations directly to the school, care of the stock club. The other way to donate, Braun says, is to get in contact with her directly at jbraun@shorewood.k12.wi.us.

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