On Friday, November 6, 2025, EPIC Campus students participated in the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge at the Cable Center, joining 1,300 competitors from 35 metro-Denver high schools for an immersive, fast-paced, and high-energy emulation of Wall Street trading.
The students worked together in teams of four to make strategic buy and sell decisions with invested virtual funds based on fictitious news and market trends that were updated every 60 seconds. Designed to teach students to think critically and make quick, strategic financial decisions, the goal was to grow their team’s portfolio and put classroom knowledge into practice, which allowed them to develop real-world problem-solving and decision-making skills.
EPIC’s Business and Entrepreneurship students came well-prepared for the challenge. “Students in this program already know within the first week or two what the stock market is,” explained Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway Lead, Chad Sawyer. “They know a lot of the ins and outs of everything about investing in order to prepare for the SIE exam.” Administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam measures a foundational understanding of capital markets, securities products and risks, trading, customer accounts, and industry regulations. Passing the SIE is the first step toward becoming licensed to work in the securities and investment industry.
Sawyer emphasized how the competition connects classroom teachings to real-world practice, stating, “This is a fun and exciting experience for our students. It lets them see and experience what it’s like on Wall Street; the chaos and the fun. It builds excitement for investing and helps us bring those lessons back to the classroom to talk about responsible investing for themselves and eventually, for their clients.”
Students echoed Sawyer’s enthusiasm. “The most fun part was definitely seeing everyone here. The competition was intense, but at the end of the day, it was still fun. Good lead-up, good suspense, and it was really amazing to see everyone here and compete with all the EPIC kids,” said Heritage High School senior, Michael Derr.
Through the JA Stock Market Challenge, EPIC students not only strengthened their understanding of investing but also gained a valuable glimpse into the dynamic, fast-thinking world of finance: one that encourages teamwork, adaptability, and a lifelong interest in smart money management.