The Economics and Investing Club – a new club at ETHS – focuses on teaching others about money and the stock market. Although the club is only in its first year, it has already accrued over 100 members, every Monday packing its room N312 to the brim. The club was founded by junior Ben Matsa, with a leadership team made up of junior Skylar Hoffman, sophomore Ido Salant, sophomore Vikram Kelly and sophomore Teddy Gutstein. The founders say they  saw a major gap at ETHS with no space or community for students to learn and discuss financial topics, leading to the club’s creation.

“The club’s mission is to foster a strong student-led community centered around the economy,” explained Matsa. 

During meetings, the club hosts noteworthy guest speakers. The leaders plan to have an economics professor from Northwestern speak after winter break. They also have a small investment profile, exclusively using money from investors  (members of the club) who contribute to a fund. 

The founders of the club plan to expand further over the next few years, potentially expanding the investment fund.

“We have a lot of big visions for our club,” stated Matsa. “Next year, we hope to invest a lot more money, invest the school’s endowment, and make more impactful investments.”

Matsa also plans for growth in the other aspects of the club, making financial and investing knowledge more accessible for Wildkits, inviting more well known guest speakers. Matsa hopes to have speakers such as the founder, CEO and CIO of Blueshift Asset Management, a five-hundred-million-dollar asset hedge fund.

But for member junior Brendan Mallers, the best part of the club is “that we pitch investments, and everyone listens to each other.” 

“We want to run a financial literacy day to teach more students about this topic,” Matsa said.

Their Financial Literacy Day idea would be a day dedicated to helping peers build practical skills for managing their finances. 

Despite the young age of the club and its recent founding, a strong community has been built. Students of all grades have joined the club to learn and share knowledge of finance and the economy, whether they are experienced investors or just beginning their financial journey.