Chilton County High School’s Financial Literacy team was recognized by Congressman Spencer Bachus on June 10 at Capitol Hill in Washington.

The team was honored for being one of the top 10 best performers in the Foundation Stock Market Game Capitol Hill Challenge, a competition sponsored by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association that asks students to use research, math and analytical skills to maximize the return on a hypothetical investment of $100,000.

“The Capitol Hill Challenge is designed to enhance student financial literacy while simultaneously promoting a better understanding of our government,” President and CEO of SIFMA Kenneth E. Bentsen Jr. said in a press release.

During the 14-week competition, the CCHS team turned their investments from the initial amount of $100,000 into a portfolio with a value of $149,308.23.

The nearly 44 percent return ranked sixth among the 4,200 teams in the competition.

The teams that placed in the top 10 received a trip to Washington, where they were recognized at an awards ceremony and had the opportunity to meet their area’s member of Congress.

Chilton County High School students Boyd Price, Jacob Smith, Drake Jones, Logan Easterling and Skyler Blankenship invested in stocks, bonds and mutual funds to reach their ultimate portfolio value.

CCHS accounting teacher Ray Sosa instructed the team along their nearly four-month project.

Bachus met with the students and commended them on the astounding effort they made in the nation-wide competition.

“We know that financial literacy skills are critical for young people in today’s economy,” Bachus said. “The students from Chilton County High School are to be commended for the serious work they put into the competition, and the school should be congratulated for supporting this project.”