WASHINGTON, April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the European economy making a comeback, American high school students are recommending how to further enhance growth and job creation in the European Union. Teams from 25 high schools will gather at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on April 30 to compete in the semi-final and final rounds of this year's Euro Challenge competition.

Teams from New Jersey include Bergen County Academies; Indian Hills High School; Marlboro High School; Montclair High School; Mount Saint Mary Academy; Princeton High School; and West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North.

The Euro Challenge is a unique educational opportunity for high school students from across the United States to learn about the European Union -- the largest economic partner of the U.S. -- and the 18 countries that share its single currency, the euro. Participants showcase their specific knowledge of countries in the euro area and make economic policy recommendations to rein in deficits and debt, reduce unemployment, or find other creative solutions for these countries.

The competition continues to expand nationally. This year, more than one hundred high school teams from 14 states plus the District of Columbia participated in the program. Preliminary regional competitions concluded on April 3, with 25 schools advancing to the semi-finals on April 30.

"The Euro Challenge contest fosters a better understanding of the European Union economy and the Euro while supporting local learning objectives in economics and finance," said European Union Ambassador to the United States, João Vale de Almeida. "It's great to see hundreds of students from across the United States compete at such a high level. They gain a unique insight into the Euro Zone economy and the strength of transatlantic economic relations."

The 9^th and 10^th grade students have spent months researching European economic policy and history with the help of mentors from their schools and resources provided by the EU Delegation. In the competition, teams of three to five students make presentations about the economic situation of the "euro area" and then focus on an economic challenge facing one country. Teams must answer questions from a distinguished panel of judges to showcase their grasp of economic issues and economic policy trade-offs.

Of the 25 teams competing at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the semi-final round the morning of April 30, five teams will advance to the final round of the competition held in the afternoon the same day.

The top five winning teams will receive monetary awards generously provided by The Moody's Foundation, along with a trip to Washington, D.C. for the top two teams.

The following schools are competing in the semi-final round:

The Euro Challenge is a program launched and supported by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States. The national coordinator of the competition is w!se (Working in Support of Education). The Federal Reserve Bank of New York serves as program advisor.

Other partner organizations include: Credit Suisse, the University of North Carolina, Florida International University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Illinois, Rutgers University, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (Pittsburgh Branch), the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Detroit Branch), George Washington University, the DC World Affairs Council, the University of Texas at Austin and BNP Paribas.

For further information on this year's competition, please visit:
www.euro-challenge.org

Delegation of the European Union to the United States
2175 K Street (entrance from 22nd Street), NW, Washington, DC 20037
www.EUintheUS.org & @EUintheUS

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States