John J. Daly Elementary 5th Graders Examine Asset Allocation, Risk Management, and Long-Term Growth in National Competition
“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world,” said Albert Einstein. Understanding it allows investments to grow steadily over time, while ignoring it can mean missed opportunities.
That insight anchors the award-winning essays of two exceptional 5th graders from John J. Daly Elementary School in Port Washington, New York. Ethan Markowitz and Ryan Grossman both achieved remarkable success in SIFMA Foundation’s Spring 2026 InvestWrite competition, placing in the top ten nationally among thousands of entries across the country. Ethan secured a 3rd place nationally, while Ryan earned a 9th place national ranking.
The competition challenged students to write analyst-style essays reflecting on their Stock Market Game™ experiences. Both Ethan and Ryan wowed the thousands of financial professionals judging the competition by evaluating their most and least favorite investments, exploring the pressure of market swings, and emphasizing the importance of research, discipline, and planning.
Rather than focusing solely on short-term performance, both students’ essays stood out for their clear reasoning and practical application of complex financial principles. By connecting their experiences in a volatile market to improved, long-term, diversified strategies for the future, they demonstrated a deep understanding of asset allocation, risk management, and strategic portfolio planning.
Ethan, Ryan, and their teacher, Karen Raichoudhury, were honored by the SIFMA Foundation for their achievements at a ceremony on June 18.
Ryan Grossman and Ethan Markowitz win top 10 national spots in SIFMA Foundation’s InvestWrite® for Spring 2026.
Ethan and Ryan with their parents, (PEP teacher) Karen Raichoudhury, Lauren Winters, Dr. Feeney, Mrs. Diaz, Mrs. Laguarda.
