MHS economics students to Minneapolis comptetition

Wednesday, April 5, 2006
McCook Senior High's "Economics Challenge" team won first place in the state-level all-class contest April 1 in Lincoln. Team members, shown with team sponsor and MHS marketing teacher Barry Schaeffer (far right), are: (from left) Jared Olson, Daniel McCarville, Minda Haas and Forrest Kain. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

LINCOLN -- McCook Senior High will represent Nebraska at the regional "Economics Challenge" competition April 22 and 23 in Minneapolis.

The MHS economics team of seniors Minda Haas, Jared Olson, Daniel McCarville and Forrest Kain won the right to compete in the regional competition after winning Nebraska's all-class "Economics Challenge" April 1 in Lincoln.

"The kids did an outstanding job," said team sponsor and MHS marketing teacher Barry Schaeffer.

The "Economics Challenge" in Nebraska is hosted by the Nebraska Council on Economic Education and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Economic Education. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of economic literacy by competing with other students in written and "quiz bowl" examinations.

The "Economics Challenge" contest started with an online competition March 1-7, in which McCook placed third in the David Ricardo Division, the division for students enrolled in one-semester or less high school economics courses not labeled as advanced placement, honors or college level.

After the online competition, Southwest High School placed sixth in the same division, also qualifying them for the state contest. That team, whose sponsor is Connie Barger, did not compete in Lincoln.

The "Adam Smith Division" is restricted to students enrolled in two-semester courses or courses labels advanced placement, honors or college level.

At the state competition in Lincoln, McCook was tied for third place, with 135 points, after "Round I: Microeconomics," and tied for first place, with 190 points, after "Round II: Macroeconomics."

In "Round III: International Economics and Current Events," McCook placed second with 255 points. However, going into the final round, McCook was tied for the lead, with a total of 580 points, with Ashland Greenland.

McCook's team won "Round IV: Economics Potpourri Quiz Bowl," when MHS team members answered 11 questions correctly, compared to Ashland-Greenwood's eight.

The students' and Schaeffer's expenses will be paid to Minneapolis. Regional winners will be awarded $1,000 savings bonds.

The regional championship team qualifies for the all-expenses paid national contest May 20-23 in New York City.

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