Junior Achievement of Oklahoma is gearing up for its 8th annual Student Investor Challenge – an event so popular it has expanded to meet the demand.  This year 800 high school students will attend.

The JA Investor Challenge allows students to immerse themselves in the stock market by participating in a highly sophisticated computer simulation.  The surroundings and atmosphere itself are designed to emulate the feel of an actual stock trading floor.  Student teams of four compete to build the largest stock portfolio.  The event uses a state-of-the-art computer program, wireless technology and realistic trading screens to simulate a fast-paced stock market environment.  By purchasing and trading shares in a variety of fictitious companies the students are able to make educated decisions to improve their financial standings, as well as learn the importance of team work and making decisions under pressure.

“The JA Investor Challenge embodies Junior Achievement’s mission to prepare students for the economics of the real world and teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career exploration to improve the quality of their lives,” said Shannan Beeler, JA Oklahoma President, in a written statement.  “This program allows students from around the state to compete with others and learn the principles of the stock market.”

Beeler believes that the JA Investor Challenge teaches students more than just the principles of buying and selling stock.  “The stock market is an important part of how we operate our businesses and the decisions we make.  This event not only allows JA to teach students the principles of buying and trading stock, it ultimately shows students how their decisions can impact themselves as well as those around them.”

Since its inception in 2003, the JA Investor Challenge has experienced tremendous growth, not only in quantity but quality.  Last year’s event featured over 600 participants.  JA is looking for both volunteers and sponsors to get involved in this year’s event.  With the increase of teams, JA is recruiting 200 mentors to pair with the teams of four. The mentors not only provide sound financial advice in the stock market games, but also provide encouragement and support to students as role models.

Partnerships from the corporate community, endorsement from educators, and involvement from teachers and volunteers contribute to the success of the JA Investor Challenge.   BOSC, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Oklahoma, has been the presenting sponsor of the JAIC since its inception. 

"BOSC is extremely pleased to once again be the presenting sponsor of this worthy event.  JA is the leader in financial and economic education in Oklahoma, and we believe the JA Investor Challenge is a fun and rewarding way to support Junior Achievement and their educational efforts within our state," said Scott Grauer, President and CEO of BOSC, Inc. 

Sponsors Include:
Presenting Corporate Sponsor: BOSC, Inc.
Presenting Educational Sponsor: Tulsa Tech         
Supporting Sponsor: Bank of the West
Market Investor Sponsors: Hilti, T.D. Williamson , The Flintco Companies, Inc., Matrix Service Company, QuikTrip, U.S. Beef Corporation and Williams
Shareholder Sponsors:  ONEOK and Cancer Treatment Centers of American at SWRMC

The 8th Annual JA Student Investor Challenge will be held on February 2nd and 3rd at Tulsa Tech-Memorial Complex in the Career Services Center.    For more information on how to participate in the event, please contact Martha Rongey at 918-663-2132 or mrongey@jaok.org.

STUDENT EVENT: