Staples High School Team Earns 2nd Place At State Personal Finance Finals

WESTPORT, CT — A team of students from Staples High School in Westport earned second place at the Connecticut State Finals of the National Personal Finance Challenge, held March 31 at Synchrony in Stamford.

The National Personal Finance Challenge is organized by the Council for Economic Education. The nationwide competition assesses high school students’ ability to apply financial literacy skills in real-world situations. Students compete in teams, analyzing case studies and responding to complex financial scenarios involving budgeting, saving, investing and managing risk.

The Staples team consisted of seniors Justin Halky, Ford Epstein, Patricio Garcia and Kai Schwartz. According to the announcement, the students advanced to the state finals through earlier rounds of competition. The district said that process reflected their knowledge of personal finance concepts, along with collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

At the state competition, teams completed an assessment and presented their analysis of a financial case study. The event measured both content knowledge and the ability to communicate financial strategies. Staples’ second-place finish placed the team among the top-performing groups in Connecticut, according to the announcement.

"This was our first time qualifying for the state finals, and earning second place is an incredible accomplishment," said teacher Stacey Delmhorst. "Our students rose to the challenge, demonstrating teamwork, critical thinking, and a strong understanding of real-world financial concepts."

Westport Public Schools said participation in the Personal Finance Challenge reflects the district’s commitment to preparing students with essential life skills. According to the announcement, experiences like this are intended to help students build practical knowledge that supports informed decision-making and long-term financial well-being.