Charles F. Patton Middle School student Frank Zane Earns Sixth Place in National Essay Competition

The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) is celebrating Frank Zane, a Charles F. Patton Middle School sixth grader who they say has extraordinary ideas.

This Summer, Zane placed first in Pennsylvania and sixth in the nation for InvestWrite, a culminating activity in the Stock Market Game. Through InvestWrite, students take on a written challenge to address real-world financial issues and situations.

Competitors were asked to reflect on the best-performing investment in their Stock Market Game portfolio and, based on that performance, to make recommendations for a $25,000 diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds to be used towards a goal in 2030. 

In Zane’s essay, he explained that Nvidia led his portfolio due to its key role in powering artificial intelligence (AI). He proposed a 2030 diversified portfolio with Nvidia, Microsoft, Netflix and three Vanguard index funds to balance growth and risk. 

“I’ve read a fair amount of essays in my time,” shares Jeremy Kropf, the Coordinator of the Stock Market Game for Pennsylvania. "When reading Frank’s essay, I wasn’t thinking of an elementary school student writing it– more like high school. It was an absolutely amazing essay.” 

The goal was to raise funds to enhance technology education at his elementary school. Zane completed his elementary career at Unionville Elementary School (UES) last year. 

“As AI and technology become more prominent for adults, it should also become prominent for kids so they can learn it earlier,” Zane explains. “This would help them have a better foundation for technology in the future and give them a well-rounded edge when they get older and start to work.”

As a national top 10 winner, Zane received an InvestWrite winners medallion, certificate, $100 gift card and a journal and pen. His advisor, Dr. Eva Straub, also received a banner to display in her classroom as a nod to the achievement.

Dr. Straub shared, “I am so proud of Frank. He works hard and has a tireless work ethic. This is just the beginning for him.”