Junior Achievement of Washington announces Stock Market Challenge student winners
(AUBURN, WA)- Junior Achievement of Washington (JA of Washington) announced the student winners of its JA Stock Market Challenge, a fast‑paced, real‑time investment simulation that brings financial literacy to life for high school students across Washington.
After completing JA’s classroom curriculum, student teams gathered at Amazon’s Seattle campus on Thursday to compete in a simulated trading environment, where they applied critical thinking, collaboration, and strategic decision‑making skills to build the strongest investment portfolios under pressure, according to a news release from Junior Achievement of Washington.
Over the course of the competition, teams analyzed market trends, reacted to breaking news, and made rapid‑fire trading decisions—mirroring the intensity of a real trading floor.
2026 JA Stock Market Challenge Winners
- First Place: WAVA 9—Washington Virtual Academy
- Second Place: NCTA 28—Northwest Career and Technical Academy
- Third Place: Curtis 17—Curtis High School
“Through the JA Stock Market Challenge, students gain hands‑on experience with investing, risk management, and teamwork—skills that are essential for long‑term financial success,” said Natalie Vega O’Neil, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Washington. “These students have demonstrated intense focus, adaptability, and confidence in a high‑energy, real‑world learning environment.”
Winning teams have an opportunity to be chosen by the Future Bound Committee as one of the top teams in the nation and to compete in the national competition at Boston University June 7-11, 2026. Finalists will be announced by April 30, 2026. Washington had a team compete in the national contest in 2025 and placed third.
The JA Stock Market Challenge is part of Junior Achievement’s broader mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Through experiential learning programs focused on financial capability, work readiness, and entrepreneurial mindset, JA helps students connect classroom learning to real‑world opportunity.
Junior Achievement of Washington is the state’s largest organization dedicated to preparing young people for economic success. Since 1953, JA of Washington has served more than two million students with hands‑on learning experiences that teach financial capability, career readiness, and entrepreneurial mindset. Through partnerships with educators, volunteers, and the business community, JA helps students discover what’s next for their futures. To learn more or get involved, visit Washington.ja.org.