Chicago Christian Business Students Win State Award

Out of the possible 8,989 teams who entered the statewide competition, the Cabrera Statewide Award is given to the team of students with the highest investment return in the online investment program, The Stock Market Game™.

team made up of seniors James Cyze (Orland Park), James Stepien(Beverly), Sean Stepien (Beverly) and Jared Tiesenga (Orland Park) finished in first place during this competition.

The Stock Market Game™ educational program, teaches students about the world of investments, helping them learn to research companies, make sound investment decisions and follow those investments over a number of weeks during the school year.

Student teams begin with a virtual cash account, with which they create and manage a portfolio, which may include stocks, mutual funds and bonds. Teams conduct research and evaluate potential investments.

Even though the money is not real, stock transactions are processed at real-time prices, connecting The Stock Market Game experience with real life.

The original investment of $100,000 of virtual cash improved to a final portfolio equity of$135,438. They out performed the S&P 500 for the same period by 25.74 percent.

With their accomplishment, students will visit the Chicago financial district making stops at the Union League of Chicago, Cabrera Capital Marketst, LLC., Chicago City Hall, the CME Group/Chicago Board of Trade, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Also, each student will also receive a $200 award to be invested as they and their parents see fit. Teacher Ken Kreykesreceives a $400 grant for personal professional development.

The awards are funded by Mr. Martin Cabrera, who also participated in The Stock MarketGame™ when in high school, and credits much of his personal success to his early involvementin this program.