Walking into the inaugural Wall Street South Stock Pitch Competition, I knew this wasn’t going to feel like a typical high school event. From the moment my teammates Alex, Stella and I arrived at Palm Beach State College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus, it was clear this was something different — something bigger.
This was my first time ever pitching a stock in a live, high-stakes environment. After months of preparation, practice sessions, revisions, and late-night conversations with my classmates from The Pine School, we were finally standing in front of real financial leaders, ready to defend our investment thesis.
The competition, hosted by the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, brought together 21 public and private high schools from across the county. Students pitched live investment recommendations to panels of executives from major financial firms — the kind of professionals you usually read about, not present to in person.
From Practice Rooms to the Pitch Floor
What surprised me most wasn’t just the level of competition — it was how closely the event mirrored a collegiate investment challenge. Teams advanced through four simultaneous pitch rooms, each judged by different executive panels. Every question was sharp. Every follow-up demanded clarity. You couldn’t rely on memorization — you had to truly understand your position.
Standing there, pitching alongside my two classmates, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. All the hours we spent practicing suddenly mattered. When judges pushed back on assumptions or challenged our risk analysis, it felt intense — but also incredibly motivating.
Meeting the judges was a thrill in itself. These weren’t hypothetical evaluators; they were real decision-makers. Having someone like David Tuthill, Head of Florida for Point72, announce the finalists made the experience feel even more real.
The Final Four and a Second-Place Finish
After advancing through the rounds, The Pine School made it to the “Final Four Finale.” Competing live for the top spot was an unforgettable experience. In the end, Pine Crest School took first place, and we were proud to finish second — especially knowing the caliber of schools and students involved.
Final standings included:
Champions: Pine Crest School
Second Place: The Pine School (that’s us)
Third Place: Atlantic Community High School
Finalist: Palm Beach Gardens High School
Pine Crest also received the inaugural Wall Street South Grand Trophy, a traveling award that will be passed to a new school each year.
More Than a Competition
What really stood out to me was that this event wasn’t just about winning. Between pitch sessions, finance leaders shared their career paths, talked honestly about internships, education, and mistakes they made along the way. Students asked real questions — and got real answers.
It became clear that “Wall Street South” isn’t just a slogan. With over 119,000 financial services jobs in the Palm Beaches and average salaries of $126,000, this region offers real opportunities — without needing to leave home. Schools from Boca Raton to Jupiter and west to the Glades were represented, proving how wide and diverse the talent pipeline already is.
As David Tuthill said during the event, students can now see that high-level financial careers are available right here in South Florida.
Looking Ahead
As a junior in high school, this experience changed how I see what’s possible. Pitching in front of top finance executives pushed me out of my comfort zone — and showed me that preparation, teamwork, and confidence matter just as much as raw knowledge.
Finishing second alongside my classmates from The Pine School is something I’m incredibly proud of. But more than that, I’m grateful for the chance to be part of a competition that treated students like future professionals — not just participants.
This was our first time pitching at this level. It won’t be our last.
