On March 22 and 28, the European Union Center hosted the Midwest preliminary round of the Euro Challenge, an economic policy competition for high school students. Funded by the EU Delegation to the U.S., the Euro Challenge involves teams of 3-5 students giving a 15-minute presentation during which they discuss the current economic situation in the euro area and propose policies to address economic-related challenges. Jennifer Babchuk, Magda Giurcanu, Michael Manetta, Erhard Menker, Stacy Scapino, Phillip Torres, and Angela Hanna Zaglama served as judges.

This year, 13 teams from nine schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin participated. Four of those teams — one from St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Ind., one from International Academy Central in White Lake, Mich, and two from Okemos High School in Okemos, Mich. — are advancing to the semi-final round in New York City.

The European Union Center wishes the four Midwest teams the best of luck as they compete in New York City on April 30!