College Park students show investors how it's done in long-running Stock Market Game

At least a few investors still know how to make money in the stock market. A team of students from College Park Elementary School hand-picked stocks that earned virtual profits of $52,000 this year – enough to secure first-place for the entire Southern California region in the educational Stock Market Game. For their savvy investing, Ryan Vortouni, Chris Newsome,

Katie Minerman and Lauren Mendoza – all members of Mrs. Counseller’s combination class of fifth- and sixth-graders – are set to be honored on Thursday, May 27, at the Bank of America building in downtown Los Angeles. Since the Stock Market Game began in 1977, more than 10 million students in all 50 states have participated. The program starts each team off with a virtual cash account of $100,000. Students then strive to build the best-performing portfolios as they research and evaluate stocks, utilizing teamwork and organization. This is the second straight year a College Park team has been recognized for its stock-picking prowess. Last year, a group of students placed third in the region.