Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces 2014 Governor’s Challenge Champions in Economics and Personal Finance

Map of Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdic...
Map of Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdictions (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Three Virginia High School Teams Crowned State Champions at Competition of Economics and Financial Skill

Richmond – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the winners of the 2014 Governor’s Challenge in Economics and Personal Finance.  Preliminary online rounds attracted a record number of participants, almost 3,000 high school students from across Virginia.  161 students qualified for the day-long championship competition at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on April 9th where the following teams prevailed:

Adam Smith Division (advanced economics)
  1st place: Chantilly High School, Fairfax County;  teacher: Joe Clement
  Runner up:  St.Stephen’s/St.Agnes School, Private;  teacher: Theresa Cullen Hill

David Ricardo Division (economics)
  1st Place: Dominion High School, Loudoun County;  teacher: Gregory Welling
  Runner up:  Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Multi-Divisions;  teacher: Emily Hardesty

Personal Finance Division
 1st Place: Rappahannock High School, Richmond County teacher: Brent Brown
  Runner up: Charlottesville High School, City of Charlottesville;  teacher: Katie Baugher


“Equipping Virginia students with real-world financial skills and an understanding of their role in a dynamic and global economy is crucial to their future success,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Governor’s Challenge highlights the excellent job that teachers are doing relaying the scope and relevance of economic education to their students.  These students will lead the way in strengthening Virginia’s workforce and are prepared to make informed financial decisions that will lead to stronger communities and a stronger economy.” 

The Governor’s Challenge is conducted in partnership with the Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE), a nonprofit public-private partnership focused on enhancing economics and financial education in grades K-12.  Students who graduate in 2015 will be the first class required to earn a credit in economics and personal finance in order to graduate.  VCEE has been a key partner in providing professional development and creative classroom resources to assist teachers who are teaching this new course.  The Governor’s Challenge is part of the Virginia High School Initiative designed to support teachers and school divisions with implementation of the new high school course.

“The knowledge level and engagement of our students is quite impressive,” said Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton.  “It is clear these students will leave high school better prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century and be more effective consumers, savers, and investors.” 

“Congratulations go to all the teachers who prepared their students and made the extra effort to provide them the opportunity to participate in the online and ‘live’ Governor’s Challenge,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Patricia I. Wright.

Thanks go to lead sponsor Capital One, and additional sponsors BCG Companies, Dominion Resources, and Virginia Credit Union who provided financial support to make the Governor’s Challenge possible.

Visit  http://www.education.virginia.gov/Initiatives/EconomicAndFinancialLiteracy/index.cfm andwww.vcee.org to learn more about the Governor’s Challenge and other efforts to promote economic and financial education for Virginia’s students.
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