Oak Partners teams up with Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana to bring stock market program to St. Mary Catholic Community School

Students at St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point were prepared with lessons that extend well beyond the classroom this year thanks to a partnership between Oak Partners and Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana.

The Stock Market Program is an educational initiative that teaches eighth-grade students the fundamentals of investing, financial literacy, and long-term wealth building. This year, two eighth-grade classes at St. Mary participated in the program under the guidance of Oak Partners Associate Wealth Advisors Isabella Kowalczyk and Jonathan Zemaitis.

“Big Shoulders partners with local businesses and professionals to have volunteers visit a designated school once a month throughout the school year to teach eighth graders across 62 Catholic schools in Chicago and Northwest Indiana,” Kowalczyk said. “Oak Partners was one of the sponsors for the stock market program this year, and I’m grateful that we were able to work with a nonprofit like Big Shoulders.”

Each lesson of the program introduced new concepts related to investing, research, and market performance.

“I think the most important thing is that they have a chance to learn the foundation of what investing is and how important it can be in the long run,” Kowalczyk said. “We have a different lesson each month, along with checking up on our portfolio in each class.”

Students were required to prepare a presentation on the individual stock they selected, which allowed them to learn about the significance of prior research before deciding to invest in a stock. The hands-on component of the program came through a stock portfolio competition. Students received a virtual $3,000 portfolio.

“We invested in five different stocks listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ,” Kowalczyk said. “We tracked its performance throughout the school year and bought, sold, or held our stocks during each class. We used an app called Rapunzl, that allows the students to view their stock dashboard and feel as if they are truly investing actual money, and see the real-time impact of trading.”

The competition has existed in Chicago-area schools for several years, but Northwest Indiana schools have only recently become involved.

“This is the second year that the Northwest Indiana schools have participated,” Kowalczyk said. “Big Shoulders is new to the Region, and it’s an honor to represent Northwest Indiana in the competition.”

Kowalczyk also considered it an incredible honor for the classes at St. Mary’s to represent the Region, as one class took home first place in this competition.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program for Kowalczyk is helping students understand that investing is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or financial background.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is,” Kowalczyk said. “Financial literacy isn’t dependent on how much money or what job you have; it can lead to growth opportunities for anyone who puts in the effort to learn. Awareness of not only the stock market, but individual savings, retirement accounts once you start working, and understanding investment options can make such a big difference,”

The partnership between Oak Partners and Big Shoulders Fund reflects a shared commitment to investing in the next generation, with an emphasis on the amount of resources that are available to set people up for financial success. While Big Shoulders Fund works to provide educational opportunities and support for students, Oak Partners has long been involved in financial education initiatives throughout Northwest Indiana, including classroom presentations, Junior Achievement programs, and internship opportunities.

The hope is that, as the program continues, more students will gain exposure to financial literacy and the tools necessary to make informed decisions in the future.

“I like to say that seeing an advisor can be just like going to a dietician to get a check up on your habits and lifestyle,” Kowalczyk said. “It can be really helpful to have someone you can refer to for any financial help – whether it’s buying a car, adjusting your savings, or ultimately making sure you’re all set for retirement.”

For more information on Oak Partners, you can visit oakpartners.com.

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