LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 21, 2026) — Economics Arkansas will host its annual Stock Market Game™ Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 22, recognizing Arkansas students and educators from 21 schools statewide who earned first-place honors during the Fall 2025 competition, with winners receiving cash prizes and awards. The luncheon celebrates achievement across multiple grade levels and highlights the role of economic and financial education in preparing students for real-world decision-making.

Where:

William J. Clinton Presidential Library

Great Hall

1200 President Clintom Ave.

Little Rock, AR 72201

When:

Thursday, Jan 22, 2026

11:30-1 p.m.

Lunch 11:30-12:00

Program 12:00-1:00

Who:

Emcee: Hayden Balgavy, THV11

Panel Moderator:

Campbell McLaurin

Deputy Securities Commissioner

AR Securities Department

Featured Guests:

Senior Vice President, Hatim Smouni

Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill April Pollard

Financial Advisor & Firm Partner, Edward Jones

In Attendance:

Kathleen Lawson, Executive Director, Economics Arkansas

Susannah Marshall, Bank Commissioner, AR Department of Commerce, State Bank Dep.

AR students & educators recognized as Stock Market Game winners

Economics AR representatives & supporters

Why It Matters:
The Stock Market Game™ gives students hands-on experience managing a hypothetical investment portfolio while learning how economic concepts apply to real-world decision-making. Facilitated in Arkansas by Economics Arkansas since 1999, the program helps students understand markets, risk, and long-term financial planning in a practical, engaging way.Each semester, first-place teams from across the state are recognized at a statewide awards luncheon. The Fall 2025 luncheon celebrates student achievement while underscoring Economics Arkansas’ mission to advance economic and financial education for students statewide.About Economics Arkansas

Economics Arkansas is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization founded in 1962 by Dr. Arch Ford and led by Dr. Bessie B. Moore to promote economic literacy in Arkansas. Its mission is to equip PreK-12 schools with standards-based resources and professional development to teach economics, personal finance, and the free-enterprise system using practical, innovative, and inspiring methods so that Arkansas students may master an understanding of economics and personal finance and apply that knowledge for success in the free-enterprise system. To learn more, visit the organization on Facebook, Instagram, X, or online at economicsarkansas.org.