May 26, 2010 // Local

Saint Joseph’s High School’s Fed Challenge team wins nationals

Todays Catholic

Saint Joseph’s High School’s Fed Challenge team was the first Catholic school to win a national championship May 18 in Washington, D.C.

SOUTH BEND — A Saint Joseph’s High School team of five students and two faculty coaches has done what no other Catholic high school has ever done nationally before — won the National Competition for Fed Challenge.

Seniors Elizabeth Everett, Theodora Hannan, Donny MacDonell, Angela Watkins and sophomore Joseph Watkins moved through the state and regional competition to find themselves sitting at the table of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in the National Competition in Washington, D.C., on May 18.

Each Fed Challenge team presents an analysis of the current state of the economy backed by current economic data and a monetary policy recommendation for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). After the presentation, judges question the team about their presentation and their knowledge of macroeconomic theory. Federal Reserve governors and Reserve Bank presidents judge the national finals.

This talented group of students and their coaches, Julia Chismar and Phil DePauw, had the incredible thrill of hearing the countdown placement among the teams, starting with the fourth-place finisher, and hearing Saint Joseph’s High School announced as the first-place winner. Thanks to the world of modern technology, word of their National Championship reached the halls of Saint Joe within moments of the announcement.

A joyous contingent of friends, family and teachers was on hand to welcome them home at the South Bend Regional Airport. An escort of police cars, a motorcycle and a fire truck led the team and enthusiastic fans back to Saint Joseph’s. Blaring sirens and blasting horns announced the arrival of the national champions to the awaiting crowd at Saint Joe. A celebration, which surely began on Tuesday in Washington, continued on the streets of South Bend and the steps of Saint Joseph’s.

Angela Watkins commented, “This is the highlight of my entire high school career. I’ve never had so much fun! It couldn’t have been a better team! I’ll never forget it.”

Donny MacDonell added, “I couldn’t have asked for anything better when it comes to my Fed Challenge experience. Coming back from a tough loss last year (Angela and Donny were both on the 2009 team), this was the best possible outcome. I am so proud of everything my team and I have accomplished.”

Sophomore member Joe Watkins was a man of few words, “We are the national champions. We were better than everyone else.”