Brothers win top prizes in investing competition from TTSEC

Two brothers, Alario and Antonio Andalcio, students at El Dorado East Secondary School, achieved significant success in the National Secondary Schools Investing Competition organized by the TT Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC). The first prize of $10,000 was awarded to Alario for investment in securities donated by TTSEC, while his younger brother, Antonio, secured the third spot along with $3,000 worth of securities sponsored by the TT Stock Exchange Ltd. Sydney Look Fong, a Form 6 student at Naparima Girls High School, managed to secure the second position and received a prize of $5,000 in securities.

The competition aimed to foster financial literacy and impart valuable skills in investment to students between the ages of 13 and 19. Over 349 students from 104 secondary schools participated in the competition, which was held from February 10 to April 4. Through trading in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds using the virtual stock market simulator, InvestorQuest-TT.com, students gained hands-on experience in investment strategies offered by fictitious companies.

In a bid to emphasize the importance of financial literacy among students, Ayanna Gaspard-Clarke, the Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, highlighted the ministry’s efforts to integrate financial literacy into school curricula to enhance students’ competency levels in critical subjects. Kester Guy, CEO of TTSEC, welcomed the educational and financial blend of the competition, designed to equip students with essential financial knowledge and practical investing skills for long-term wealth management.

Special prizes were awarded to Vessigny Secondary School, which secured the Principal/School Prize of $10,000 for registering the highest number of students (106). Additionally, David-Lee Skinner-Ballantyne from Corpus Christi College, winner of the Teacher Prize, received a $5,000 investment in securities provided by the Mutual Funds Association.

With a vision to create a synergy between education and finance, the competition aimed to equip students with the necessary tools for success in the financial realm. The support from various educational bodies, including the Ministry of Education, was instrumental in creating a valuable learning experience for the participants. The competition was not merely a contest but an initiative aimed at encouraging strategic thinking, promoting responsible financial management, and fostering investment acumen among students participating in the local capital market.