How Waverly Ranks In Economics
For most students, economics is just a class. But for a select few, it is much more. It’s something that can be turned into a competition with the opportunity to excel.
Before Christmas break began, students who competed in the state Econ Challenge received the stellar results. The Waverly Economy teams placed the notable rankings of first and second. Although Waverly has been presented with high rankings in the Econ Challenge before, this year was especially noteworthy due to the numerous high distinctions, especially considering who the competitors were.
Economics teacher, Trent Goldsmith, required his class to form teams so all students could have the opportunity to compete.
The Econ Challenge gives students the opportunity to prove their economic comprehension in a subject that isn’t always associated with competition.
“Schools, regardless of class size, can create student teams of three to four to compete in the Econ Challenge. In the fall it is all online. We took ours in class on Chromebooks on December third,” Goldsmith said. “I allowed my microeconomics students to create their own teams of three to four. I gave the students a paper practice test and websites to practice.”
The achievements the students were given during this challenge brings light to the how strong the economics department at Waverly really is.
“There were 51 teams in the David Ricardo Division ranging from schools as big as Lincoln Southwest all the way down to smaller class C schools,” Goldsmith said. “Of our five teams, we finished first, second, 19th, 37th and 41st.”
However, this recognition wasn’t all that the Waverly Econ teams received.
“In the AP/full year division, we finished third out of nine teams. The two teams that beat us are Omaha Central AP teams. We don't even have an AP class in econ,” Goldsmith said.
This competition also incorporated students who have taken Economy before, but not necessarily currently in Goldsmith’s economy classes.
However, the students participating in the challenge not enrolled in the class were at a bit of a disadvantage. Since Goldsmith taught heavily over the subjects that would be featured in the challenge, those not taking the class didn’t have the opportunity to have the content that would be present in the challenge. Those not taking the class also had to rely on their knowledge from their time in Goldsmith’s economy classes.
“This was my third year taking the Econ challenge, and this year was a little different because I am not currently in an econ class,” senior Laurel Preuit said. “Mr. Goldsmith asked if I was interested in participating again and assigned me to a team.”
The students not only need to attribute the success of the outcome of the challenge to themselves, but also to Goldsmith, the driving force behind their involvement in the project.
“[I was] not really surprised [with the results.] Our group felt good about the quiz and Mr. Goldsmith has taught us a ton about economics in only a semester. He makes the class fun and enjoyable,” senior Grant McGill said.
Students sometimes overlook and underestimate the education they receive until it is showed in comparison to other schools.
“I learned how much we actually know in economics compared to other schools,” senior Christian Dauel said. “Obviously Waverly fared pretty well.”
Goldsmith used this competition as a way to show the students that it’s okay to try things that they are unused to, and that sometimes the results of that venture may be surprising. By encouraging all the students to participate and equipping them with the knowledge that would be tested, he gave the students confidence in their economic abilities.
The results from this competition served as reassurance, not only to the teachers, but to the students as well. They are being given the proper knowledge regarding economics.
“These kids demonstrated that we are doing things right in economics education and literacy. The rankings prove that,” Goldsmith said. “The kids who take WHS economics are getting a valuable education.”
With the exceptional results in student involvement and the particularly stellar results regarding ranking, the hope is that more students will get involved in this project.
