The team "Bonds R Boring" from Chagrin Falls High School claimed first place and a $500 cash prize at the Junior Achievement Spring Stock Market Challenge...
Stock Market Challenge Victory
The team “Bonds R Boring” from Chagrin Falls High School claimed first place and a $500 cash prize at the Junior Achievement Spring Stock Market Challenge. Led by Griffin Laws, Will Asplin, Eliot Rogers and Anna Topel, the talented students also secured a spot to compete at the national level.
After beginning the competition with $1,000,000 to invest, the final value of their portfolio holdings was $1,568,972.62 for a 56.8% rate of return and their margin for winning at over 15% from the second place team from Polaris Career Center who had a rate of return of 41.0%.
The remarkable achievement marks the second time this school year that Chagrin Falls has produced champions in the Stock Market Challenge, establishing the school as a powerhouse in financial literacy competitions.
“I’m incredibly proud of our students’ performance,” said John Bakalar, business teacher at Chagrin Falls High School. “Their success is a testament to their hard work, strategic thinking and understanding of market dynamics.”
The Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge is a highly competitive event that tests students’ skills in managing a virtual investment portfolio. Participants must analyze market trends, assess risks, and make informed decisions to maximize their returns.
Bonds R Boring outperformed numerous other teams from across the region, showcasing their exceptional financial acumen and ability to navigate the complexities of the stock market. The event featured 12 Northeast Ohio High Schools and approximately 200 from Benedictine, Hathaway Brown, iSTEM, Polaris Career Institute, Northern Career Institute, Rhodes, St. Ed’s, Harvey, Westlake and Willoughby South
With their first-place finish, the Chagrin Falls team has earned the opportunity to represent their school and the state of Ohio at the national level, where they will compete against the best student investors from across the country.
“We are thrilled to have qualified for the national competition,” said team member Griffin Laws. “It’s a testament to the quality of education and support we receive at Chagrin Falls High School.”
The team’s success highlights the importance of financial literacy education and the value of hands-on learning experiences like the Stock Market Challenge. By participating in such events, students gain invaluable skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and risk management – essential tools for success in the real world.
As the national competition approaches, Bonds R Boring will continue to hone their strategies and prepare for the ultimate test of their financial prowess. Chagrin Falls High School and the entire community stand behind them, eager to witness their continued success on the national stage.
OverDrive’s School Stars Marketing Contest
Students from Chagrin Falls High School have achieved remarkable success in the global marketing arena, emerging as the grand prize winners in OverDrive’s prestigious School Stars contest. Their innovative submission captivated the judges and earned them top honors among numerous entries from schools worldwide.
The winning team, consisting of Kazimierz Kanieski, Taein Kang and Robert Mignogna, collaborated on their submission as part of a unit on library marketing co-taught by John Bakalar, business teacher, and Angie Jameson, library media specialist.
“I am excited to report that our high school marketing students have been recognized as the grand prize winners in this global marketing contest,” said Jameson. “Chagrin Falls High School has placed in the Curricular Ties Category and have been recognized as an honorable mention in the past, but witnessing our students take the grand prize for the entire contest is incredible. Our marketing students have not only earned resources for our school, but they’ve also earned a great line on a professional resume.”
“Their achievement is a testament to their creativity, hard work, and the exceptional guidance provided by our dedicated teachers,” said business teacher John Bakalar.
As the grand prize winners, Chagrin Falls High School will receive $2,500 in digital books and audiobooks, 2,000 glitter Sora School Stars stickers and a School Stars winner poster to proudly display within the school.
“We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “Their success in this global competition showcases the exceptional talent and skills fostered within our school community. It is a remarkable achievement that will inspire and motivate their peers to pursue excellence in their endeavors.”
Emily Balser, integrated marketing specialist at OverDrive, expressed her excitement and congratulations to the winning team, stating, “Every year, it’s amazing to see how our students are using Sora within their school communities. After submissions are received, the entire OverDrive company has the ability to vote for our winners, and Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools/High School emerged as the grand prize winner. Cue the confetti!”
The Chagrin Falls High School community celebrates this outstanding achievement and recognizes the dedication of the students, teachers, and administrators who have contributed to this remarkable success.
Bus Driver Safety Road-E-O
On April 20, Chagrin Falls Schools played a vital role in the regional School Bus Driver Safety Road-e-o, providing buses and personnel to support the event. While Marc Jacobson, a bus driver for the district, served as a judge, his colleague Roger Rodhe showcased his exceptional skills and earned the opportunity to compete at the state-level competition.
The School Bus Driver Safety Road-e-o is an annual event that tests the expertise and proficiency of school bus drivers from across the state. Participants are evaluated on various aspects of their driving abilities, including skills tests, written exams and pre-trip inspections.
Chagrin Falls Schools’ contribution to the regional Road-e-o extended beyond providing buses for the competition. Jacobson lent his expertise as a judge, ensuring that the participants were fairly assessed and that the safety standards were upheld.
Meanwhile, Rodhe demonstrated his exceptional driving skills and knowledge, placed sixth overall and is advancing to the state-level School Bus Driver Safety Road-e-o in Columbus.
“We are proud of Roger’s achievement, and Marc’s commitment to serve at the Road-e-o” said Mike Morgan, transportation supervisor for Chagrin Falls Schools. “Their contribution at the Road-e-o is just a small example of their commitment to our students and community each and every day and mirrors the district’s commitment to safety and the high caliber of our transportation staff.”
The School Bus Driver Safety Road-e-o not only serves as a platform for recognizing the skills and dedication of bus drivers but also highlights the critical role they play in ensuring the safety and well-being of students during their daily commutes.
Senior Honored as “Rising Entrepreneur”
Chagrin Falls High School senior J.P. Zimmer has been recognized as a “Rising Entrepreneur” in the prestigious cleveland.com High School Standouts awards. From a pool of impressive nominations, Zimmer stood out and was selected by a panel of judges composed of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer staff members.
“J.P. Zimmer’s entrepreneurial spirit and achievements are truly remarkable,” said Principal Amanda Rassi. “We are incredibly proud of his dedication and the initiative he has shown in pursuing his passions alongside his academic endeavors.”
At a young age, Zimmer founded his own landscaping company in 2018, which he recently sold to focus on his college ambitions. Additionally, he has worked as a Pilot and Aircraft Manager at Avit Flight Academy and as a Ski Technician at Geiger’s Sporting Goods, further showcasing his diverse interests and work ethic.
Zimmer’s accomplishments extend beyond his entrepreneurial ventures. At Chagrin Falls High School, he is a member of the football and lacrosse teams, serves as the editor-in-chief of the yearbook, and is the vice president of the Business Professionals of America. In February, his small team finished in first place at the regional competition and qualified for the State Leadership Competition.
In the entrepreneurship class, Zimmer’s classmates recognized his leadership skills by electing him CEO, and his team will run the school spirit store this spring.
Zimmer’s impressive achievements have earned him admission to The Ohio State University Fisher School of Business, where he plans to continue pursuing his entrepreneurial aspirations.
To commemorate Zimmer’s achievement as a “Rising Entrepreneur,” The Plain Dealer will publish a special section on June 9, showcasing the accomplishments of all the cleveland.com High School Standouts award winners.
“J.P. Zimmer’s drive, passion, and dedication to his goals have set him apart as a true standout,” said Rassi. “We cannot wait to see what the future holds for this exceptional young entrepreneur.”
CFMS Students of the Month
The mission of the Chagrin Falls Middle School Students of the Month is to acknowledge and reward students for exemplary performance. The students depict Tiger Techniques: Think, Integrity, Grit, Effort and Responsibility. Each month, the seventh- and eighth-grade teams collaborate and choose a male and female “Tiger of the Month” and the students receive personalized tiger water bottles from the PTO.
Students of the Month for April are seventh-graders Sophie Igoe and Anton Kless; and eighth-graders Eyla Brudno and Malcolm Stuart.
Sophie Igoe always goes out of her way to greet others and to help out when she can. She is prepared for class with her reading and post-its and is a great leader in book club, guidance advisory council and teamwork situations and helps to create a fun and encouraging environment. Sophie brings a positive attitude to class, she works well with her peers and is respectful and kind to everyone in the class. She offers input and takes time to listen to others.
Anton Kless is an eager learner and is willing to step out of his comfort zone to try something new. He doesn’t fear mistakes and is willing to try difficult things. Anton has a positive attitude and offers great ideas to the class. He is always very respectful to his peers and teachers. Anton consistently participates in class and makes everyone feel included in all activities.
Eyla Brudno is one of the hardest workers in the eighth grade. She continuously puts forth her best effort, consistently comes to class prepared and willing to work hard and asks for help when she needs it. She is a leader within her math group, initiates conversations and keeps her peers focused on the task at hand. Eyla is conscientious, kind, and respectful in all of her interactions with students and staff. She is dedicated to doing her absolute best and is always willing to help her peers and teachers.
Malcolm Stuart possesses an eagerness to learn and works hard in class. He continually advocates for himself by asking questions and seeking help when necessary. He is excited about class content and is a true leader to others around him. Malcolm is well-respected by his teachers and peers. Malcolm is an excellent musician in the band and everyone appreciates his enthusiasm and kindness in class. Malcolm always comes to class with a smile and positive attitude. He has a great sense of humor and his smile is contagious.
CFHS Celebrates High Rankings
Chagrin Falls High School is proud to announce its notable achievements in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best High Schools rankings, earning a distinguished seventh place among Ohio high schools and third in the Cleveland metro area. Beyond these excellent rankings, the school is ranked 297th nationally, confirming its standing as one of the U.S. News Best High Schools and allowing the district to proudly display the 2024 Best High Schools award badge.
Principal Amanda Rassi shared her enthusiasm, “We are thrilled with our school’s performance, which reflects our commitment to not only academic excellence but also to fostering a holistic educational environment. These achievements validate the hard work of our students, faculty, and staff.”
At Chagrin Falls High School, 65% of students engage in Advanced Placement (AP®) coursework, reflecting our commitment to providing rigorous academic opportunities across a diverse range of subjects. With 28 AP courses available, our programming is designed to ensure that all students have the opportunity to pursue college-level studies in areas that interest them prior to graduation.
The rankings by U.S. News are based on comprehensive metrics including college readiness, graduation rates, and state-required test performance. Chagrin Falls High School excels across these metrics, indicating strong academic foundations and successful student outcomes.
“We owe our success to the relentless dedication of everyone in our school community—from our committed educators to our supportive families,” added Principal Rassi. “We continue to nurture an environment that values both academic achievement and personal growth, empowering our students to thrive in all aspects of their lives.”
This recognition from U.S. News & World Report underscores Chagrin Falls High School’s ongoing efforts to be a leading educational institution, offering an enriching and comprehensive high school experience that prepares students for their future endeavors.
