THE STOCK MARKET CAME TO CHESTERFIELD — AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS
Junior Achievement brought the thrill of Wall Street to local students in an unforgettable, action-packed learning event.
Author: Kaelen Carrier
Financial Literacy
Published:
Friday, 14 Nov 2025
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Chesterfield, MO – [11/11/25] — The buzz of the trading floor. The flash of breaking news. The tension of every rising and falling stock.
Last week, hundreds of students from across the Greater St. Louis region stepped into the excitement as the Stock Market Challenge came to Chesterfield.
Hosted by Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis (JA), the event transformed JA’s state-of-the-art Chesterfield facility into a high-energy mock trading floor where middle and high school students became real-time investors, analysts, and financial strategists.
It was fast. It was loud. It was hands-on learning at its most exhilarating.
“This is what financial education looks like when it comes alive,” said Lori Jacob, President and CEO of JA of Greater St. Louis. “Students weren’t just learning about markets — they were living them. They made bold choices, took smart risks, and discovered how every decision shapes an outcome. It was electric.”
EVENT RECAP
What: Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge
Where: JA of Greater St. Louis, 17339 North Outer Forty Road, Chesterfield, MO 63005
When: Wednesday & Thursday, November 5–6, 2025
Who: Middle and high school students from schools across the Greater St. Louis area
THE CHALLENGE
Each student team began with $500,000 in mock capital and navigated a whirlwind of simulated trading rounds packed with breaking headlines, market swings, and surprise events.
Over two hours, teams tested their instincts, reacted to “market news,” and competed to build the strongest portfolio — with one winning team from middle school and one from high school walking away not only with bragging rights, but also a cash prize.
But the greatest payoff wasn’t profit — it was confidence, teamwork, and real-world experience.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from RSM, the cost per student was fully covered, opening the door for participation from schools across the region. RSM’s support ensured that every student, regardless of background, could take part in this transformational learning experience.
“They walked in as students and walked out as future investors,” said Sheila Farrell, JA Program Coordinator. “You could see it click — that moment when they realized the stock market isn’t just something on TV. It’s something they can understand and be part of.”
WHY IT MATTERED
For Junior Achievement, the Stock Market Challenge represented more than a competition — it was a glimpse into the future.
By simulating the dynamics of the financial world, JA helped students build financial literacy, sharpen critical thinking, and see new possibilities for their futures.
“The Stock Market Challenge is the spark,” added Lori Jacob. “For some students, this was the first time they’d ever thought about investing, business, or money as a future. And that spark can ignite an entire career.”
ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis, Inc. empowers young people to own their economic success through hands-on programs in work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
Each year, JA serves tens of thousands of students across the region, bridging classroom learning with real-world relevance through partnerships with educators and business leaders.
Learn more at https://www.jastl.org.
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