District 214 students put investment skills to the test in annual competition

“Scared money don’t make money” may not follow the rules of grammar, but it proved to be a winning strategy for Prospect High School’s Team Azure.

The team’s motto came to life during Northwest Suburban High School District 214’s annual Investment Competition on April 13 at Forest View Educational Center, which brought together 90 students across 24 teams to compete in a fast-paced simulation of the financial world.

The immersive, daylong event challenged students to think and act like real-world investors, combining strategy, communication and quick decision-making in a series of simulations and presentations.

Throughout the competition, students navigated two one-hour stock market simulations, reacting in real time to breaking news, market updates and analyst reports that mirrored actual years in the stock market.

The day began with a keynote address from Chris Gersch, CEO of Atlimus Capital & Verde Solutions and a Rolling Meadows High School alumnus. Gersch shared insights from his career in finance, offering students a firsthand look at the industry and the skills needed to succeed.

Between simulation rounds, teams explained and justified their investment strategies to a panel of industry professionals. Panelists and judges included Nick Albu, Sebastian Ayala, Thomas Aviles, Sean Grady, Erin Lash and Kelly Peterson.

Support from Morningstar added a layer of real-world relevance to the experience, with professionals serving as panelists and judges while also providing feedback and insight. The partnership was made possible through District 214 Board of Education member Mary Kay Baldino and District 214 parent Kevin Seifert, a Morningstar colleague.

Prospect High School emerged as the overall winner. The team included Colin Hinchey, Vince Radlicz, Aiden Robinson and Ethan Yonan. They earned top honors for their strategy, teamwork and ability to respond to rapidly changing market conditions. Their approach was summed up in their team motto, “Scared money don’t make money.”

“We kind of played it a little risky,” said Colin Hinchey. “If you want to win, you’ve got to make risky investments. We kept looking at current events and just kept going.”

For Aiden Robinson, the win was a reflection of both preparation and opportunity.

“Surreal. Proud,” Robinson said. “Our teachers gave us the opportunity and taught us the material. We applied it and now we’ve got the trophy.”

The winning team received the competition trophy named in honor of Dr. Laz Lopez, executive director of the District 214 Education Foundation, who helped launch the class and grow the Investment Competition into the experience it is today.

Students across the district highlighted the value of the experience beyond the competition itself.

“Joining our finance class really grew my interest,” said Nikhil Devarapalli of John Hersey High School. “This opportunity shows what the future could look like if I pursue this as a career.”

Josh Mani, also of Hersey, described the day as a well-rounded introduction to the field.

“It’s a great way to get insight into the finance world and learn how we can use these experiences to our advantage,” Mani said. “Opportunities like this help us grow for our future as financial and business professionals.”

Events like the Investment Competition reflect District 214’s commitment to preparing students for life beyond high school by connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences. Through opportunities like this, students build the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed financial decisions.