High school teams from throughout the state had their knowledge of economics and personal finance tested recently in the first-ever Vermont Championship Reserve Cup Challenge. After three rounds of vigorous questioning, Essex High School emerged as the champion. Second place was won by Windsor High School and the third place finisher was North Country Union High School.
The State Treasurer s Office, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, held the competition to select a state winner to represent Vermont this fall at the New England regional competition in Boston. The purpose of the competition is to promote student interest in and knowledge of personal finance, economics, and consumer affairs topics. For the past four years, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has sponsored a regional contest as part of its economic literacy program.
The competition gave us a great opportunity to encourage Vermont high schools in their instruction of personal finance, business and economics, said State Treasurer Jeb Spaulding. With our increasingly complex economy, students who understand how our economy works and can successfully use personal financial tools will find such knowledge and skills very useful upon graduating and entering the workforce.
In addition to the schools placing in the championship, high school teams from Mill River Union High School, River Valley Technical Center, and Stafford Technical Center participated in the competition. Four-person student teams competed against each other in a quiz-show style contest that tested both individual and team knowledge.
Events like this provide an added incentive for students to push their envelope of understanding and have a public opportunity to display their knowledge, said Essex High School social studies teacher and coach Charlie Burnett.
Students competing for Essex High School were Chris Bergeron, Matt Breuer, Casey Dubie, and Olivia Horton. All four students are enrolled in the school s AP Economics course.
The nice thing about studying economics is that you can understand current events and how they apply to you, said student Chris Bergeron.
Students competing for Windsor High School were Laura Ballam, Kelly Powers-Dumont, Brian Holloway, Justin Vezina, and alternate Alex Drost. The team was coached by business teacher Larry Booker. Students representing North Country Union High School were Todd Cubit, Melissia Houle, Bryanne Marquis, and Emily Wheeler. The team was coached by business teacher Nancy McDermott.
The event was underwritten by the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation. Members of the Vermont Jump$tart Coalition also support the competition and volunteered at the event.