Virginia Students Excel in Statewide Personal Finance and Economics Competitions
Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Council on Economic Education (VCEE) proudly recognizes the outstanding student teams and educators who competed in the 2026 Virginia Personal Finance Challenge and the Virginia Economic Challenge, two premier statewide academic competitions designed to strengthen students’ financial literacy and economic reasoning skills.
Through these competitions, students apply real-world concepts such as budgeting, saving, investing, credit, and economic analysis in a rigorous, team-based environment. These experiential learning opportunities help students build the confidence and decision-making skills needed for success beyond the classroom.
“Financial literacy, to me, is freedom,” said O. Kate Scott, President & CEO of VCEE. “When students understand how their choices shape their future, they gain confidence, expand opportunity, and begin to see possibilities that once felt out of reach. This work is about creating those moments for students across Virginia.”
The 2026 Virginia Personal Finance Challenge brought together high school students from across the Commonwealth to demonstrate their knowledge of essential personal finance concepts and their ability to apply those skills in real-world scenarios.
2026 Virginia Personal Finance Challenge – State Winners
- 1st Place
TJHSST A
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Fairfax County
Teacher: Jane Iyengar - 2nd Place
IndyFinancePals
Independence High School, Loudoun County
Teacher: Surmeet Chhabra - 3rd Place
Mitoko8
Potomac High School, Prince William County
Teacher: Jeremiah Mitoko
In addition to the state winners, regional champions were recognized through VCEE’s university-based centers for economic education.
Virginia Personal Finance Challenge – University Center Regional Winners
- GMU Center Region Winner – TJHSST A
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Fairfax County - JMU Center Region Winner – Team 3
Harrisonburg High School, Harrisonburg City - UL Center Region Winner – 1B
E.C. Glass High School, Lynchburg City - UMW Center Region Winner – Fin 1
Riverbend High School, Spotsylvania County - UVA-W Center Region Winner – Virginia High School
Bristol City - VCU Center Region Winner – Tuckernomics
John Randolph Tucker High School, Henrico County - VT Center Region Winner – Rams 4
Highland High School, Highland County
The Virginia Economic Challenge further showcased students’ understanding of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and current economic events through team-based competition at the highest level.
2026 Virginia Economic Challenge – Championship Winners
Adam Smith Division
- 1st Place
Economic Explorers
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria City Public Schools
Teacher: Nicole Kim - 2nd Place
Menger
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria City Public Schools
Teacher: Malhaz Jibladze - 3rd Place / GMU Center Region Winner
RRHS
Rock Ridge High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
Teacher: Steven Mobley
David Ricardo Division
- 1st Place
Langley High
Langley High School, Fairfax County Public Schools
Teacher: Jennifer Stocks - 2nd Place / GMU Center Region Winner
IndyFinancePals
Independence High School, Loudoun County Public Schools
Teacher: Surmeet Chhabra - 3rd Place / UMW Center Region Winner
DR BEARS 2
Riverbend High School, Spotsylvania County Public Schools
Teacher: Mary Fehrens
Virginia’s top teams are now advancing to the national stage. The top teams first competed in the National Economics Challenge semi-finals, a virtual round that brings together the highest-performing teams from across the country.
Following that round, Virginia’s Economics Challenge champions, Economic Explorers and Langley High, advanced to the National Economics Challenge Finals in Atlanta, May 27–29, 2026.
In addition, TJHSST A will represent Virginia in the National Personal Finance Challenge Finals, held virtually May 31–June 1, 2026.
These competitions reflect the power of experiential learning in preparing students for real-world financial decisions and future success.
Perspective drives performance.
