The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold will hold its fifth annual stock market picking contest beginning on Jan. 19.
The event will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and will continue for five weeks, every Thursday evening, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, according to a press release.
The free educational program allows young adults from fifth to eighth grade to gather knowledge of how the stock market functions, how to research company financials and how to invest. Children are divided into teams of two or three and are presented with pretend funds in the amount of $10,000, according to the press release.
Each meeting includes a half-hour lesson followed by a half-hour of portfolio management during which the participants can buy and sell stocks. The top three teams to make the most profit by the close of the program will be awarded trophies.
“We are proud to be hosting the fifth annual stock market picking contest,” club President Shari Scaramuzzo said. “Our club members are happy to volunteer and share their knowledge and experience with students in our area, helping to ‘Bring out the Best in Kids.’ ”
Last year’s program saw more than 70 children participating in the challenge, outgrowing the previous venue, according to the press release.
Individuals who would like to guarantee a spot are encourage to preregister by emailing the participant’s name, contact telephone number and email, grade, and teammate(s) to [email protected]