Chatter and smiles dart across the classroom of Julie Tronsen. The economics and personal finance teacher watches from her desk as people gather in her room. Slowly after filing into the room, students take their seats and take out their devices, their eyes turning to the screen at the front. A line slowly falls up and down—a flurry of fingers every second—buying, selling, buying, selling. The charts are going faster than you think as you wait for the perfect moment. Some erupt in cheers while others groan; the sound of hard work fills the room. You watch as the ranks rise and fall, and a silent prayer is said that your name might appear somewhere at the top. The tension is palpable, your heart racing as you watch the numbers climb. In bouts of concentration the room silences, and in moments of calm, students chat and laugh, waiting and watching.
Fortunately for those whose names are absent from the top ranks, this was all a simulation. Nobody has lost or gained any real money, but that fact has not made the students in room 5510 any less invested.
Welcome to the Stock Market Club.
What is the Stock Market?
The stock market is a trading network open from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Monday–Friday that connects investors looking to buy and sell stocks and their derivatives. It plays a crucial role in the economy, allowing businesses to create capital and growth while investors can earn profit on their investments. MarketWatch—the trading platform used by the club—is a public site where people can simulate buying shares of a company that can increase and decrease in value depending on how well the company and the market as a whole are doing. The value of the shares fluctuates based on the company’s performance, market trends, and current economic conditions.
What does the Stock Market Club do?
As evident by the mention of investors, you need money to participate, which is not exactly accessible and sustainable for a club. Instead, the club uses a virtual simulator, which is a copy of the market. But students are not wagering actual money in this club. Rather, each student is given 100,000 virtual dollars to invest. This game is not only extremely addicting and fun, but it teaches you how to invest, spend money wisely, and analyze trends.
It’s no secret that the Stock Market can be confusing for new people trying to get into it, but don’t worry—you’re not alone. If you need a little help in knowing where to invest your money or what to stay away from Trosen is filled with strategies to having a successful exchange. And you can always rely on what is popular at the time with a quick buy-and-sell strategy.
The program they use for their virtual stock exchange is MarketWatch. MarketWatch is a great way for people new to the stock market to dip their toes in, It allows you to see the values of stocks in real-time and allows you to track your net gain and loss at the tap of a button. It also allows you to see how others in the club are fairing and see your overall ranking. And if the great platform isn’t already incentive enough, there are prizes for those who succeed.
Currently, there are cash prizes for the top three earners. The end date for the quarter-one market simulation was November 15, and prizes were awarded on November 18. Each quarter has a new simulation, so there are still three more chances to win. The club not only participates in market simulations but also Shark Tank-style pitches, presentations on investors, and even occasionally conversations with guest speakers.
Why Join the Club?
Despite the market being a fast-paced race for success, the mood that Tronsen creates is laidback and relaxed. Students are welcoming and involved in MarketWatch and are eager to share their progress and strategies with anyone who asks. The room is concentrated and, at the same time, lighthearted as people work away.
As mentioned above with the lighthearted attitude of the students, everyone is very inviting. Even if you’ve never looked at a stock chart a day in your life or even heard of the stock market prior to this article, you still have a place in this club. As long as you have an eagerness toward learning, a passion for self-improvement, or an interest in the world of finance, you have a spot in this club.
When asked what he loved about the Stock Market Club, sophomore Max Rapport said, “I like Stock Market Club because it teaches me real-life skills about money management and investing, and simultaneously it’s fun.” And that’s the core of why it’s so compelling. This club somehow manages to be pragmatic and enjoyable. The gap between these two things is usually a far stretch, but Tronsen’s dedication helps bridge this gap. Everyone always stresses the need for classes that will teach real-life skills, one of which happens to be money management. This is the perfect opportunity to do so, and it doesn’t take up a semester of your time.
This club is perfect for War Eagles looking for a more laid-back club with a passion for data, risks, or just fun. As the cherry on top, a daily raffle is held for members to win a prize from Tronsen’s Cupboard of Wonders. And, I mean, who wouldn’t love an extra bag of chips during lunch or a Diet Coke to get them through the day? Meetings are held every two weeks on Mondays in Tronsen’s room. Come check it out sometime, and feel free to reach out. Who knows, maybe you could be one of the few to earn a prize.
