Winning the Stock Market Game™

Congratulations to Zachary Jacobson '26, who had the highest performing portfolio of the 1,270 participants and won The Stock Market Game™ competition sponsored by the SIFMA Foundation.

Zach turned $100,000 into $123,352 in less than three months (January 21 - April 11). His growth was 33% above the S & P 500 growth.

Zach participated in the competition as a student in the CCHS course Investments 101: Stocks, Bonds, & Mutual Funds, taught by Mr. Charles Adamopoulos.

Central Catholic had eight students place in the top 50 of the competition.

• William Paul '25
  • 12th place
• Francesco Saldana '25
  • 20th place
• Daniel Ciardiello '25
  • 23rd place
• Mason Hochmuth '25
  • 26th place
• William Griffin '25
  • 43rd place
• Stephen Lalibete '26
  • 45th place
• Alex VanPraet  '26
  • 50th place

About Investments 101: Stocks, Bonds, & Mutual Funds

Investments 101 is a one semester course open to juniors and seniors that is taken in conjunction with Marketing (Course #766.)

Investments 101 explores the application of various financial instruments in investment management. Students will be introduced to the process of deciding when to buy, hold, or sell a common stock and techniques of portfolio performance evaluation. Topics will include bonds, mutual funds, dividends, diversification, and learning how to read and interpret statistical data. Students will participate in a simulated stock market competition to gain practical experience.  

About Zachary

• Hometown: Salem, NH
• Middle School: St. Michael School, North Andover

CCHS Activities

• Varsity Hockey
• Varsity Golf
• Student Alumni Association
• Student Ambassadors
• National Honor Society (NHS)

In Zach's Words

Beyond Hampshire Street: Hockey, Golf, Guitar, Games, Fishing, Faith, & Work

"Outside of Central, I play club hockey and I am a member at Atkinson Country Club. I do golf tournaments for the New England PGA in the summer."

"During my free time I play the guitar as well as going fishing."

"My friends and I trade stocks outside of school, which is one of my favorite hobbies. I also enjoy playing poker and 45s with friends and family."

"Occasionally, I go to a Bible study with some of my friends at Saint Michael’s Church in North Andover with other guys my age."

"I have a part time job at Market Basket, and I try to work on the weekends."

Service

"I volunteer at Neighbors in Need in Lawrence, which provides food to those who can’t afford it. I also am involved at Saint Michael’s Church doing service for my church community."

Faculty Impact

"Coach A (Mr. Charles Adamopoulos) has made a huge impact on me because he always created a positive learning environment which helped me grow, not only in my trading abilities, but as a student in general. He made class time a fun and interactive experience and taught me many things about finance and the market, pushing me to be better each day."

"Another teacher who has made a massive impact on me was my junior year English teacher Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90). I quickly developed a relationship with him and he pushed me from day one to be the best version of myself. We bond over similar things, such as fishing, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. Despite having the hardest class I have taken at Central I look forward to going to his class and challenging myself every day."

The Future

"When I graduate I want to go into the fields of finance or law. I am leaning more towards finance and am looking at colleges all around New England but I am very interested in Babson and Bentley. I think these schools will suit me the best and give me a great chance to get opportunities and succeed in the real world."

What Makes Central Catholic Special

"The things that make Central special are the faculty and staff and the sense of family I have here. The faculty and staff are all invested in our future, and I have made many relationships with teachers and staff in my time at Central. I always feel as if I am a part of something special, and the school community and spirit make the school much more exciting."

Raider Legacy

"My Papa attended Central catholic for his freshman year of high school but then transferred. He always told me one of his biggest regrets was not finishing high school at Central, and he always said to be grateful for the opportunity to go here. I definitely am.

 

About The Stock Market Game™

Massachusetts Students Win The Stock Market Game™ with Outstanding Financial Performances

Winners Demonstrate Research, Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills in Real-World Financial Decision-Making

The future of financial education shines brightly as student teams from Massachusetts excel in the prestigious Stock Market Game™ competition. The SIFMA Foundation is proud to announce the winners of the Spring 2025 and Year-Long Stock Market Game™, celebrating the top-performing teams across elementary, middle and high school categories. Each team achieved the highest portfolio values in the competition and was recognized alongside their teachers and schools.

Hosted by the SIFMA Foundation in collaboration with dedicated local partners, The Stock Market Game continues to underscore the value of equipping young people with essential financial skills and knowledge. This dynamic program allows students to engage in the complexities of stock trading by managing a simulated portfolio with a virtual $100,000. Through this hands-on learning experience, participants gain valuable insights into economics, finance, and market dynamics.

The SIFMA Foundation, with its enduring commitment to financial education, partners with local organizations to bring this transformative program to students nationwide. The program ensures learners from diverse backgrounds gain access to critical financial education tools, fostering skills that prepare them for a lifetime of informed financial decision-making.

Participants explore the value of long-term investing through an innovative educational platform used by Massachusetts teachers to enhance knowledge in math, economics and personal finance. This comprehensive program improves test scores while imparting critical life skills essential for financial independence.

In teams of up to five, students simulate real-world investing, trading stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds on the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. They research market trends, monitor global news, and make strategic trades in real-time using the Stock Market Game’s online tools or smartphone app. Additionally, students can prioritize socially responsible investments aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

“Congratulations to all the outstanding student teams who excelled in this semester’s Stock Market Game,” said Melanie Mortimer, President of the SIFMA Foundation. “This program is about more than just numbers—it’s about inspiring the next generation of leaders to think critically, make informed choices, and approach financial challenges with confidence. By partnering with schools across the country, we’re providing students with tools and opportunities that will serve them for a lifetime, from excelling in their careers to achieving personal financial security. We are deeply thankful for the dedication of educators who make this transformative learning possible.”

The Stock Market Game curriculum integrates lessons, hands-on activities and virtual events to develop critical thinking, research, and analytical skills through an engaging real-world simulation. Teachers access a robust online support center, offering over 1,000 lesson plans that align with Massachusetts education standards, STEM requirements, and 21st-century learning goals. The program emphasizes the fundamentals of long-term saving and investing while enhancing core subjects like math, language arts, economics, and social studies.

Beyond the competition, students gain invaluable skills in research, risk assessment and decision-making. These lessons not only deepen their understanding of economic principles, but also instill a sense of financial responsibility and readiness for future academic, career and personal finance challenges.

About the SIFMA Foundation

The SIFMA Foundation is dedicated to closing the opportunity gap by fostering financial market knowledge among youth from all backgrounds. Through the support of educators and the financial industry, the Foundation provides financial education to strengthen economic opportunities and raise awareness of the global marketplace. Since 1977, its flagship program, The Stock Market Game, has guided over 23 million students toward financial independence by cultivating essential life skills, improving academic achievement, and advancing social-emotional learning. For more information, visit www.sifma.org/foundation.