Going for Gold in the Euro Challenge
Jessica Fiddes
Posted April 27, 2012
On Monday April 30th a team of five crack Delbarton freshmen and sophomore economists, Will Pagano '14, Abhinav Karale '15, Augie Atencio '14, Sid Balaji '14, and Mark O'Meara '15, will compete against 24 other high school teams in the semi final round of this year's Euro Challenge at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Over one hundred high school teams from 18 states and the District of Columbia entered the contest and preliminary regional competitions earlier this month reduced the field to the 25 semi finalists.
The Euro Challenge focuses on the European Union – the largest economic partner of the U.S. – and the 17 countries that share its single currency, the euro. Participants showcase their knowledge of everything from deficits, cultural upheavals and rising unemployment, and make policy recommendations to solve these and other challenges confronting countries. The Delbarton team will make a 15 minute presentation about the euro area's economic situation then focus on one member country, in Delbarton's case, Italy. Team members then have 10 minutes to answer questions from the panel of distinguished judges. Grilled economist, anyone?
We salute these brave volunteers who have researched, prepared and practiced for many hours to stand tall for Delbarton School at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. And you thought lacrosse practice was hard.
The boys, all members of the Economics Club, were selected based on their interest in the European Union and how finances of its 17 radically different members affect the global economy. Together the Delbarton boys represent a comprehensive understanding of the topic, yet each brings a different, complementary strength to the team. One boy was proudly described by his peers as "the closer" , a man who can get the job done. Every team should have one.
Economics Club moderator and Euro Challenge advisor Tom Brady says, "This year's Euro Challenge competition has been a true Delbarton team project - the boys have picked up public speaking tips from Brother Kevin, Italian cultural insights from Mr. Del Guercio and Mr. Pieraccini, research and marketing contributions from parents, and even some savvy M Block coaching from our Headmaster!" Indeed, Br. Paul Diveny's years of residence in Roma, Italia could turn out to be the team's secret weapon. Mangia!
Of the 25 teams competing at the Federal Reserve Bank in the semi-final round, five teams will advance to the final round of the competition held that afternoon, an intellectual double header sure to test the brain power of any young economist. The five top teams receive cash awards (in dollars, not euros, we trust) and the first and second place teams win trips to Washington DC, presumably to advise the Office of Management and Budget. Read more about the Euro Challenge here.
We wish our young Euro Unionizers well in the semis...Go Wave Global Economists!
