The winning Euro Challenge Team: Valerie Rouxel-Laxton (Economic and Financial Affairs , EU Delegation to the US), Eli Kline, advisor Jack Weber, Frances Laserson (The Moody's Foundation, President), Owen Kaplan, David O'Sullivan (EU Ambassador to the United States), Max Weintraub, Ariella Frank, Hank Greenberg, Jimmy Connors, Noah Moyse, advisor Thomas Clifford
Montclair High School's Euro Challenge team won the National Championship on April 19 in New York City, topping teams from 24 other high schools on the final day of intense competition. The Euro Challenge is a unique and exciting educational opportunity for high school students from across the United States to learn about the European Union – the largest economic partner of the U.S. – and the 19 countries that share its single currency, the euro. Participants showcase their specific knowledge of countries in the euro area and make policy recommendations to rein in deficits and debt, reduce unemployment, or solve other challenges confronting these countries.
"Our team, which presented on Spanish unemployment will present their program in Washington DC at the Spanish Embassy later this spring," said advisor Jack Weber." In addition, they will participate in an economics seminar at the International Monetary Fund. The DC host is the EU Delegation to the United States." The team also received $6,250 in prize money. The Moody's Foundation sponsors the DC trip and provides the prize money.
"It was very impressive to watch today's competition, to see how engaged and financially literate these students are and to hear how confidently they could present truly creative solutions for some of our most urgent economic challenges," said Ambassador David O'Sullivan, Head of the European Union Delegation to the United States as he attended the award ceremony. "The Euro Challenge has been a great learning experience for thousands of students as they go beyond the headlines of economic news to fully understand key economic concepts and the complex realities faced by policymakers. The Euro Challenge also helps them to have a better understanding of how deeply Europe and America are connected."
The Fed Challenge program placed third in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Regional Competition on Thursday April 14 th The team included seniors Mike Cubeddu and Alex Laser, Juniors Clara Devine, Zackary Sabatino, Jeremy Stepansky, Asif Uddin and Jake Walter.
The teams were supported this year by Montclair resident Debby Perelmuter, and MHS alumni Marshall Ratliff and Mia Ellis.