Students Place Third in the Nation in Budgeting Competition

eoght students stand next to each other holding certificates
left to right: Alannah Weygant (11th Grade), Joeleen Dines (11th Grade), Alexia Bell (11th Grade), Tristen Diamond (11th Grade), Caroline Adams (11th Grade), Ross Guernsey (10th Grade), Troy Cammer (11th Grade), Brady Armlin (10th Grade)

“The students did a great job representing Middleburgh,” Mrs. Colistra said about her personal finance class. They earned third place in a national H&R Block competition, going against 32 other high schools in a ten week budget challenge.

During the simulation, students had to pay bills, invest in their 401K, keep their bank account balanced, and take written tests on different finance topics. Students were able to earn different trophies for things like paying all bills on time and putting extra money down on student loans to pay the balance off more quickly. Four eleventh graders, Caroline Adams, Tristen Diamond, Alexia Bell and Joeleen Dines were able to earn all six trophies available and keep their written test average above 85%.

What a wonderful achievement! Congrats to Mrs. Colistra and her students for their teamwork and dedication to this challenging competition,” said Superintendent Dunn. “We are proud of you all!”