BCHS students Vir Williams and Mahmood Zamir win top spots in state stock market challenge

The BCSD Board of Education meeting held on May 21, 2025, focused on recognizing student achievements and discussing educational initiatives. The meeting commenced with a presentation by Mr. Jace Majeski, an economics teacher, who introduced two students, Vir Williams and Mahmood Zamir, winners of the Sigma Foundation stock market challenge.

Mr. Majeski highlighted the students' impressive accomplishments, noting that they secured the first and second positions in the state out of approximately 4,500 participants. He emphasized the importance of their hard work and the real-life financial skills they developed through the stock market club, which meets weekly to discuss current events and their impact on financial markets.

Vir Williams and Mahmood Zamir shared insights into their strategies during the competition, which ran from January to April. Williams reported finishing with approximately $138,000, while Zamir concluded with around $128,000, both starting with $100,000. They explained that their approach involved short selling, particularly in the speculative tech sector, which they identified as vulnerable due to market volatility and uncertain tariff policies.

The students advised caution for those considering investments in the current market climate, suggesting that many should refrain from trading and instead invest in low-cost index funds for long-term growth. Their reflections underscored the importance of staying informed about market conditions and consumer sentiment.

The meeting concluded with a celebration of the students' achievements, reinforcing the value of practical financial education in preparing students for future challenges. The board expressed pride in the students' success and the educational opportunities provided by the stock market club.