St. Vincent de Paul students score high marks at International Economic Summit

Students from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Long Beach were among the top award winners at this year's International Economic Summit held in Jackson. Fourteen St. Vincent de Paul sixth-graders traveled to Mississippi College to compete against 235 other middle and high school students from around the state. At the Summit, student teams act as economic advisers for the country they represent. Their goal is to raise the standard of living for that country by joining trade alliances, trading for valuable resources, investing in long-term development projects and debating global issues. Their knowledge of geography, economics and personal finance can also help them to help their country. This year, St. Vincent de Paul students represented Argentina, Sierra Leone and Switzerland. Team Argentina took home the award for Best Table Display. Team Sierra Leone won Best Country Costume and was first runner-up in the debate. Team Switzerland also won a costume award. In addition, Team Switzerland scored 100 percent on the Geography Quiz and earned the highest score out of all High-Income Countries. The International Economic Summit is a program run by the Mississippi Council for Economic Education and is open to all middle and high school students throughout the state. St. Vincent School team members, from left, back row: Suzie Brown, Abby Whaley, Clayton Bryan, Eugenie Saunders, Katie Pennell, Rylee McCaffrey, Kendall Desporte, Gracie Rester; and front row: Reed Fairley, Carson Leverett, Keegan Leverett, Anabelle Silvas, Thomas Bailey and Bryce Hancock.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 5:21 AM with the headline "St. Vincent de Paul students score high marks at International Economic Summit ."