Most people consult their financial advisers for investing tips and strategies. Now you might find the top advisers at your local school.

Three fifth grade QUEST students from Northeast Lauderdale Middle School were named third place winners in the spring elementary division of the Mississippi Stock Market Game. The simulation provides effective learning tools about the free enterprise system for students in grades four through 12. The program enables teams of students to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in the stock market over a 14-week period. Winners are determined on the percentage return above or below S&P 500 growth.

The Northeast Lauderdale team outperformed the S&P by 6.3 percent and grew their portfolio to $109,566.69 over the 14-week session. The team will be honored at the Mississippi Council on Economic Education’s annual awards ceremony on May 9 at Mississippi College in Clinton.

Choctaw Transit Hosts 2017 MPTA Roadeo 

Mississippi transit drivers competed on a closed course in bus and van divisions at the Mississippi Public Transit Association’s Roadeo 2017 April 21-22 hosted by Choctaw Transit at the Choctaw Central High School’s baseball parking lot.

The winners for the Bus Division were: first, Bryan Carvano from Climb Up Inc. in Tupelo; second, Roger Oliver from Aaron E. Henry/DARTS in Clarksdale; and third, Randall Isaac from Community Regional Transportation/Choctaw Transit in Choctaw.

The winners for the Van Division were: first, Wade Shepherd from Bolivar County Council on Aging in Cleveland; second, Fredrick Thomas from Mississippi Valley Mass Transit in Itta Bena; and third, Natalie Lee from Mississippi Christian Family Services in Rolling Fork.

Drivers will represent the state at the National Roadeo competition in Detroit in June. 

Meetings and training sessions were held at the Silver Star Convention Center on the first day. 

Ballou graduates basic training

U.S. Air Force Airman Nicholas K. Ballou graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Ballou is the son of Angie Ballou and grandson of Christine Russell and Pearlie Gordon, all of Toomsuba. He is also the brother of Lachristopher Russell, Tommy Hopson, Terrance Ballou, A.J. Ballou and Edward Pearce. Ballou graduated in 2016 from Northeast Lauderdale High School.

Suzanne Marshall writes the Neighbors column for The Meridian Star. Submit items to editor@themeridianstar.com.