On April 11, two teams of St. Francis High School (SFHS) students participated in the 2025 Minnesota Economics Challenge State Tournament in St. Paul. Competing in the high school division, which consists of students in 11th grade, the team of Samuel Bergman, Nolan Kloss, Tanner Rothbauer and Jeffery Rekucki finished third and received a certificate, trophy, and banner.
At the state competition, each team was presented with an economic issue. This year’s issue centered on tariffs. Teams had one hour to develop a presentation with detailed economic analysis centered on the effects of tariffs. Teams then presented their analysis to a panel of judges.
The high school team advanced to the final round where three teams competed in a quiz bowl. Economic questions were asked by a moderator and teams had to answer questions correctly to earn points. DeLaSalle High School ended up winning the competition, but SFHS and St. Thomas Academy battled for several rounds before St. Thomas Academy ended up winning in a tie breaker round.
The college level team of Kate-Lyn Schultz, Rachel Rinta, Evan Melander, Brooklyn Clark, and Taylor Lee also competed at the state competition. The college level teams are consisted of students in 11th and 12th grade who are taking college economics through St. Cloud State University, but on-site at SFHS.
Additionally, SFHS students Kamryn Roberts and Gao Siab Yang scored in the top 10 on the regional entrance exam, which more than 200 students participated in.
Original story posted April 4
Two St. Francis High School (SFHS) teams consisting of nine total students have qualified for the 2025 Minnesota Economics Challenge State Tournament.
Over 500 students statewide competed in this year’s regional competition. Students were placed in teams and answered a series of 30 questions in 35 minutes related to economics. SFHS participated in two divisions.
The high school division consisted of students in 11th grade who are taking high school level economics. This year’s state entrants are Samuel Bergman, Nolan Kloss, Tanner Rothbauer and Jeffery Rekucki.
The college level team consisted of students in 11th and 12th grade who are taking college economics through St. Cloud State University, but on-site at St. Francis High School. This year’s state entrants are Kate-Lyn Schultz, Rachel Rinta, Evan Melander, Brooklyn Clark, and Taylor Lee.
Both of these teams will travel to the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus on April 11 to participate in the Economics Challenge State Tournament. In round one teams will receive an economic challenge and they will need to create a presentation showcasing their economic solutions. They will then present their solution to a panel of judges. The top two teams in each division will then face off in a quiz bowl trivia event. The winners will be crowned state champions and have the opportunity to participate in the National Economics Challenge.