At the University of Monticello, a national investment simulation competition saw college students from various parts of Arkansas compete, including siblings Jaquenton and Jaliah Harris, who took home the top prize on February 14.
The competition, organized by Economics Arkansas, aimed to promote financial literacy through The Stock Market Game, a 13-week simulation starting with a theoretical $100,000 investment. The competition ran from September 9 to December 6.
Jaquenton Harris, a junior majoring in business administration with a focus on finance, and his sister, Jaliah Harris, a senior majoring in nursing, formed a successful team. They won first place in the undergraduate division by significantly growing their investment. Jaquenton celebrated his second consecutive semester win, this time sharing the experience with his sister. He attributed their success to knowledge gained from the UAM Investment Club and his experience as a travel agent.
Jaliah reflected on the valuable financial insights she gained, which she plans to apply to her nursing career. She emphasized the importance of financial literacy across all professions. The siblings expressed gratitude for the support and guidance from their mentors at UAM, including Dr. Shanna Knowles and Mr. Greg Hatley.
The award ceremony, held at the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock on January 23, also recognized winners from elementary to high school levels. The event celebrated Jaquenton and Jaliah’s collaboration and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and financial education.
