When the words "competition" and "Scholl Center" are used in the same sentence, it often conjures up thoughts of volleyball or basketball games. 

However, thanks to a first-class lab and state-of-the-art software, Ms. Beth Golding's Global Trading course has become a source of fast and furious intellectual engagement.  

StockTrak simulation software allows students to trade stocks, bonds, and other investment vehicles across 50 global stock exchanges with just a 15-minute delay.  

StockTrak has enabled Golding to facilitate a competition in which her Global Trading students begin with a set amount of money in their portfolio with the intention of growing it over the span of the semester.

Sophomore Adam Pierzakowski took home top honors this past spring. Due to domestic volatility, Pierzakowski expanded his horizons.

"I invested in international markets due to the fluctuating markets here in the United States. Ubisoft and Barclays were a couple of my higher-performing stocks," he said.

Golding rewarded Pierzakowski with a Dairy Queen gift card for his financial aptitude.

Zachery Arthur and Pietro Vicentim Foncesa took home second and third place, respectively.

Golding's Global Trading class is offered each semester at Marquette Catholic High School. In addition to her role as a business professor at Marquette, Golding also serves as business and computer technology instructor at Ivy Tech Community College, one of three institutions that partner with Marquette's University High School program. She earned her MBA from Purdue University in 2013.

To learn more, visit marquette.stocktrak.com.