On May 19th through the 21st, Mt. Hebron’s National Economics Challenge teams received 2nd and 3rd place in the National Championship in New York City. The Adam Smith Division, consisting of seniors Steven Jin, Jennifer Jung, Samuel Nitkin and junior Ryan Jung, placed 2nd in the university-level division. The David Ricardo Division, consisting of sophomores Wyatt Currie, Aditya Krishna, Lorelei Loraine, and David Wang, placed 3rd, while also placing 1st in macroeconomics.

The teams has been acknowledged as the first team ever to take the Maryland State Championship in both the Adam Smith and David Ricardo divisions. Afterwords, the students placed top eight against all state champions in the nationals semi-finals competition, where they took 1st and 3rd place amongst these eight competitors.

The Mt. Hebron National Economics Challenge teams have competed and bested teams from all over the country, including students from China, as well. The Adam Smith division team is a group of students that have experience with economics and competitive studies. Students that competed in the David Ricardo division team were new to the material, learned everything on their own after school, during personal time, and by learning from student teachers, Ryan Jung and Steven Jin.

Sophomore Lorelei Loraine explained, “We were recruited in November and spent six months learning all the material from two years of AP Econ, including three hour lectures on weekends and after school.”

Junior Ryan Jung came away from the competition with a phenomenal accomplishment: the title of the top economics student in the country. Jung earned the Russell Glass Individual Achievement Award as a result of his remarkable test scores and presenting skills seen during the competition.

Senior Jennifer Jung was also featured on CNBC’s Squawk Box, as she represented Mt. Hebron, the future of U.S. economic learners, and her National Economics team. Jung was glowingly recognized and interviewed for her accomplishments, as CNBC questioned whether she’s “the next yellen or powell.” As a result of the interview Jung was broadcasted on CNBC’s morning show to discuss her achievements and future as a student.

As a whole, the teams has been awarded with a collection of trophies, medals, plaques, and cash by the Council for Economic Education. Separately, both the David Ricardo and Adam Smith division teams have been commemorated by the Maryland Council on Economic Education in ceremonies, featuring the presence of Superintendent Martirano, the HCPSS Board of Education, County Executive Allan Kittleman, and State Senator Gail Bates. The Mt.Hebron National Economics teams are scheduled to be recognized for their accomplishments in the Maryland Assembly by Governor Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot on July 11th.