High-Stakes Trading Meets High-Energy Competition: Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Hosts 2025 Stock Market Challenge

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Friday, 17 Jan 2025

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Image caption: 2024 Student Winners: Anamosa High School

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The 6th Annual JA Stock Market Challenge is Here!

Are you ready to experience the excitement of the stock market in a fast-paced, high-energy competition? Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is back with the 6th Annual JA Stock Market Challenge, set for Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Olympic South Side Theater in Cedar Rapids. This technology-driven simulation offers students and corporate teams a thrilling chance to test their trading skills in a high-stakes environment.

How It Works

The JA Stock Market Challenge simulates 60 days of stock trading in just 60 minutes. Each team starts with a hypothetical $500,000 portfolio and must strategically buy and sell stocks in fictitious companies to maximize their returns. Throughout the event, market news and hot tips will shake up stock values, challenging participants to think fast and adapt. With live traders executing transactions in real-time and stock prices displayed on large projection screens, the intensity is palpable!

Two Thrilling Competitions in One Day

Student Challenge (9:00 – 11:00 AM): High school students compete in a risk-free environment after completing preparatory lessons on investments.
Corporate Challenge (5:00 – 8:00 PM): Local businesses face off in teams of four, providing a unique team-building and networking opportunity.

Why Participate?

✔ For Students:

Free to all participants
No prior experience required
Open to 9th-12th grade students
Between 1 to 5 preparatory sessions available
Students can participate through school teams, after-school clubs, or parent-sponsored teams

Image caption: 2024 Corporate Winners: CablePro

✔ For Corporate Teams:

A $750 registration fee includes event participation, food, and beverages
Each corporate team sponsors a student team in the morning competition
A fun and unique team-building experience
Supports financial literacy education for students in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Cedar Valley

Why It Matters

This thrilling Junior Achievement program helps students understand how the stock market works, the importance of teamwork, and the impact of financial decision-making. After the challenge, students analyze their strategies and learn valuable lessons on market trends and risk management.

Register Today!

The registration deadline is April 11, 2025. Secure your spot by visiting JAEasternIowa.org or calling (319) 862-1100. For more details, contact Emma Disterhoft at edisterhoft@jaeasterniowa.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

We need enthusiastic volunteers to help make this event a success! If you're interested in supporting the event, reach out to Emma Disterhoft at edisterhoft@jaeasterniowa.org.

Don’t miss this chance to trade big, win big, and support financial literacy for the next generation. Get ready for a fast, fun, and furious stock market showdown at the JA Stock Market Challenge!