(L- r) Dasean McMillian, Isaac Johnson, Destini Dorsey, Tia Barnes, and Re'Kita McDowell win second place in the S.C. Stock Market Game. Their coach is Harry Preston. Isaac Johnson, Re'Kita McDowell, Dasean McMillian, Tia Barnes and Destini Dorsey from the Midlands Math and Business Academy were honored earlier this month at the S.C. Council on Economic Education's annual awards luncheon. The students took home trophies for their second place finish in the S.C. Stock Market Game.

The five Richland District One students spent ten weeks during the spring playing in the elementary school category of the Stock Market Game, sponsored by Merrill Lynch and the S.C. Council on Economic Education (SCCEE).

Isaac, Re'Kita, Dasean, Tia, and Destini were given $100,000 of hypothetical money to invest in any publicly traded company on the three U.S. stock exchanges. They researched the companies, learned what it meant to buy on margin, and did all their trading online. Coached by teacher Harry Preston, the students finished with a portfolio worth $107,856.00.

"The Stock Market Game competition gives students a taste of real- life experience as they trade stocks. This knowledge and know- how will help them make sound financial decisions as they mature," said SCCEE President Helen Meyers.

Teachers of mathematics, social studies, language arts, and other subjects use the Stock Market Game as a hands- on activity to reinforce economic concepts. Over 6,000 South Carolina students participated in the game this year.

The S.C. Council on Economic Education is a non- profit business- education partnership dedicated to providing teachers with the tools and resources needed to educate South Carolina's students about financial literacy, economic principles, and the changing global economy. To learn more about the Stock Market Game, and other resources provided by the Council, go to www.sceconomics. org.