If Greg Preiser grew up in Texas, perhaps he’d be interested in cattle, oil or guns.
But he grew up in Westport, so he’s long been intrigued by the stock market.
The Staples High School junior founded a club, the ABCs of the Stock Market. Members learn about investing by trading hypothetical portfolios, and listening to guest lecturers.
Yet they want to do more than just make make-believe money. Their goal is to donate real funds to a worthy organization. And what better group than another one with ABC in its name: A Better Chance of Westport.
For over a decade, that ABC has brought outstanding, highly motivated minority teenagers to Westport. They live in Glendarcy House on North Avenue, and have made their mark in many areas of Staples: academics, arts, athletics and activities.
This year’s ABC house scholars.
For the past 2 years, ABC Stock Market members have used a trading app to build up their virtual portfolios. They’ve asked friends and family members for pledges based on their virtual profits — up to $100 per sponsor. An anonymous donor agreed to match every donation.
This is no nickel-and-dime operation. Last year, the ABC Stock Market club presented a check for $6,100 to the ABC program. This year, they’ve raised over $12,000.
But Preiser did not stop there.
Last month — to raise awareness of A Better Chance at Staples and throughout Westport — ABC House asked him to organize a teen board of high school students. They sold bracelets with the Staples and ABC logos, and a cell phone accessory with the Staples logo.
But wait! There’s more!
A 3-on-3 basketball tournament — “May Madness” — drew 22 teams. And raised another $1,000.
Greg Preiser (right) with (from left) Christopher Morales, Jacob Bonn, David Li, Andrew Ingber, Thomas Jones, ABC fundraising chair Lori Sochol, Ryan Angerthal, Dylan Dreyfuss and Jarod Ferguson at the “May Madness” tournament. Ingber, Angerthal and Dreyfuss won the event.
Picking stocks is not easy.
Picking an organization to cheer for is. The 2 at the top of my list right now: ABC of Westport, and the ABCs of the Stock Market Club.
(A Better Chance of Westport teen committee members include Gregory Preiser, Jacob Bonn, Lindsay Felner, Sydney Kaplan, Carly Chaskin and Justin Pecoriello.)