April 19, 2010

Collegiate School Wins Regional Fed Challenge Preliminary Round

Richmond

Collegiate School students won the preliminary round of the Federal Reserve's 2010 High School Fed Challenge competition held in Richmond on April 19. This year's winning team included West Cuthbert, Peter Megson, Becky Patton, Britt Waddell, Preston Williams and alternate Steven Vranian and technical support staff Rachel Naurath. The team was coached by Rob Wedge.

Teams from Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond also participated in the event.

Judges for this year's competition included Ray Owens, vice president and senior economist, and John Walter, senior economist and research advisor, who rated the teams on their knowledge of the Federal Reserve, the current state of the economy and monetary policy, as well as research, analysis and responses during a 10-minute Q&A session. Joan Coogan, Web information analyst, rated the teams on the quality of their presentation and teamwork.

On April 28, Collegiate will compete against the winner of the competitions held in the Richmond Fed's Baltimore office on April 12. The Fifth District winner advances to the National Finals to be held May 18 at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.

The Federal Reserve sponsors Fed Challenge to encourage better understanding of the nation's central bank and the forces influencing economic conditions in the United States and abroad. More information on Fifth District economic education programs is available online at www.richmondfed.org/education/.

View photo of winning team
Seated: Preston Williams, Britt Waddell, Becky Patton and Peter Megson
Standing: Steven Vranian, West Cuthbert, Rob Wedge (coach) and Rachel Naurath

As part of our nation’s central bank, the Richmond Fed is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks working together with the Board of Governors to support a healthy economy and deliver on our mission to foster economic stability and strength. We connect with community and business leaders across the Fifth Federal Reserve District — including the Carolinas, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and most of West Virginia — to monitor economic conditions, address issues facing our communities, and share this information with monetary and financial policymakers. We also work with banks to ensure they are operating safely and soundly, supply financial institutions with currency that’s fit for distribution, and provide a safe and efficient way to transfer funds through our nation’s payments system.

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