DHS team beats stock market
Danville High School’s Stock Market Game champions, Lacey Evans, Evan Cleghorn and Taylor Hayes (L to R) and their economics teacher, Paul Wilson. | Special to the Enquirer
A three-member team of investors representing Danville High School claimed the Alabama Stock Market Game Grand Championship as the top team for the 2010-2011 school year.
Competing against 2,170 teams, seniors Evan Cleghorn, Lacey Evans and Taylor Hayes finished on top with a portfolio value of $127,861. The team earned the championship by investing in Massey Energy and Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold for gains of 56 percent and 22 percent respectively.
State Senator Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, presented a check for $500 to the three students at an awards ceremony held at Danville Baptist Church on May 22.
The team previously claimed a $150 cash prize as the fall North Regional champs.
Economics teacher Paul Wilson advised the team and Cleghorn served as team captain.
The stock Market Game is presented by the Alabama Council on Economic Education (ACEE) in cooperation with Steve Agee and the Alabama Department of Education.
“I taught them to look for companies with low PE (price-earnings) ratios compared to others in their business, companies in the upper half of the market capitalization, and those with good trading volume,” said Wilson.
The Danville team started with $100,000 in the virtual stock market. Students then researched and selected stocks to buy and sell on their own for 10 consecutive weeks.
“Thanks to Sterne Agee, students across Alabama have a “hands-on” opportunity to learn the value of earning, saving and investing,” said Steve Rapp, ACEE executive director.
Cleghorn plans to attend UNA next fall where he will major in pre-med and then transfer to South Alabama to become a physical therapist. He played football, basketball and baseball at Danville High.
Hayes plans to attend Calhoun Community College and then transfer to UAB to become an anesthesiologist.
Evans will attend either the Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology or Calhoun Community College where she will pursue a general education degree before transferring to an Alabama college. During her time at DHS, Evans was a four-year starter on the volleyball and basketball teams. She played in the state volleyball tournament four consecutive years and played on three Northwest Regional basketball teams.
