A team from Blue Ridge High School was recognized for their expertise and knowledge of the stock market in the 2011-2012 Stock Market Game conducted by The Honesdale National Bank Center for Economic Education at The University of Scranton.

Pictured are a team from Blue Ridge High School recognized at a recent awards ceremony at The University of Scranton for finishing first at the 9-12 grade level in the first spring competition of the 2011-2012 Stock Market Game with a final portfolio value of $116,639. Pictured are, standing, from left, Mike Williamson, Vice President of Prudential Financial; Raymond Cecotti, Senior Vice President of The Honesdale National Bank; Mark Graziado, Vice President of The Honesdale National Bank; team members Mitch Wages, Annie Dunn, Tama Galu and Sean Stanley and team advisor Alicia Ross. Absent from photo is team member Kristen Brown.

The Stock Market Game is a 10-week simulation where students from three grade categories (4-6, 7-8, 9-12) invest an imaginary $100,000 by buying stocks, bonds and mutual funds listed on the major securities exchanges. The Stock Market Game helps students build important skills, such as knowledge of how the financial markets operate, mathematics and decision-making skills. Separate competitions are held annually: one in the fall semester and two in the spring semester. Eleven other Centers for Economic Education in Pennsylvania participate in the Stock Market Game with students and teachers in their regions.

Student teams that finished first, second and third in their grade categories from the area served by the Honesdale National Bank Center for Economic Education at The University of Scranton Center are invited to attend an annual pizza party and awards ceremony. Among those recognized at this year's event was a team from Blue Ridge High School. This was the first-place team from the 9-12 grade level from the first spring 2012 competition, which had a final portfolio value of $116,639.

The Honesdale National Bank and Prudential Investments are co-sponsors of the ceremony. The Stock Market Game of Pennsylvania is an EconomicsAmerica program of EconomicsPennsylvania, the state-wide affiliate of the regional centers.