Justin Bartus, an eighth grader at David E. Owens Middle School, was recently recognized at a Board of Education meeting for his successful participation in the Stock Market Game.

For ten week this spring, students in Mrs. Diana Daley's Business Plan class participated in the Stock Market Game, an on-line program offered by SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association). The Stock Market Game gives students the chance to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in an on-line portfolio. Although students feel as if they are playing a game, it is designed to teach them economic and financial concepts by having them actively engaged in the buying and selling of stocks. Students researched stocks using Yahoo finance and NYSE websites.

Justin's ability to interpret stock graphs, analysts opinions and market movers over the course of the game resulted in his portfolio's gain of $23,219 which pushed him into third place in the northern New Jersey region out of 519 teams. For those of you on the lookout for a good tip, Justin's portfolio included Family Dollar Store, Amazon and Priceline.