The Academy of Finance team from the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) ranked as first runner-up in this year’s National Personal Finance Challenge. The team earned second place in showcasing their understanding of an essential life skill: how to manage money, whether you have a lot of it or not much at all.

Nearly 10,000 students from more than 350 schools competed across the United States in the challenge this spring. The competition showcases students’ ability to use their knowledge to assess a family’s financial situation and present a thoughtful plan including earning, spending, saving, using credit and investing.

Organized by the Council for Economic Education (CEE) with help from the Nebraska Council on Economic Education, it was held online due to COVID-19. The NPFC is sponsored by Voya Financial. The Academy of Finance is part of HCPSS’ Career and Technology Education.

The team was honored at the May 11, 2021 HCPSS Board of Education meeting for winning the Maryland Personal Finance Challenge, and at the June 10, 2021 Board of Education meeting for excelling at the national level.