Arkansas Economics Challenge 2022
What is Econ Challenge: The National Economics Challenge (NEC) is the country’s only economics competition of its kind for high school students. It tests micro and macroeconomic principles as well as knowledge of the world economy. This motivating and fun team learning experience begins with competitions at the state level.
On April 7, 2022 students from around the state logged in for the Arkansas Economics Challenge, an annual competition co-hosted for high school economics students by the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics and Economics Arkansas. The 2022 competition was virtual, and participants completed a testing event, wrote and submitted essays, and presented team presentations for the chance at a top prize.
Competition Categories:
Team Testing Competition: For this event, teams of 3-4 students completed an economics exam focused on key concepts from micro, macro, and global economics!
Team Presentations: In this category, student teams worked together to create and present presentations on economic topics to a team of judges. The theme for the 2022 Competition “Where in the World” had students exploring the global supply chains behind a variety of products and learning where markets come together to meet the needs of people all over the world.
Individual Student Essay Contest: Students completed essays based on their reading of I, Pencil by Leonard Read, It’s a Wonderful Loaf by Dr. Russ Roberts, and their own studies in their economics courses.
Winning Teams:
Congratulations to all of the students and educators who made the 2022 competition such a success. The prize winners for each category are below:
Team Presentations:
Bentonville West High School students were recently awarded their first prize medallions and prize money for their excellent work throughout the event.
Adam Smith Division 1st: Pragathi Nagappa, Michelle Magana, Pavani Chittemsetty, Bentonville West High School
Adam Smith Division 2nd: Ian Popp, Ryan Troung, Ellen Zhang, Joshua Ofodile, Haas Hall Academy
David Ricardo Division 1st: Madison Arenaz, Kiley Barton, Bethany Catron, Talana Small, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts
David Ricardo Division 2nd: Aliyah Elmore, Gillian Shultz, Zoey Tedford, Ozark High School
Student Essays:
1st: Joshua Ofodile, Haas Hall Academy
2nd: Henry Szalanski, Haas Hall Academy
Overall Winners:
Adam Smith Division: Bentonville West High School
David Ricardo Division: Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts
Student of the Year: Joshua Ofodile, Haas Hall Academy
Educator of the Year: Rebecca Luebker, Haas Hall Academy
Want to see some samples of past student submissions & competition topics? Check out our 2021 competition update from last year for an overview and to see some winning student submissions!
