Divisions are named after important economists. The Joan Robinson division was made up of teams new to the challenge. After beating all challengers at the regional event in Mankato, New Ulm’s team of Isabelle Fuhr, Lucas Skoglund, Cullen Slette, and Leanna Brown had to go up against 10 other regional winners for a chance at the state title.

Participants are tested on macro, micro, and national economics as well as current events. The two best teams from the test round compete in a quiz bowl head-to-head to crown the winner.

Econ teacher and team advisor Robbe Nessler said the event is a new offering for New Ulm students, with 2023 being the first year New Ulm participated. This being new means the current system is very informal, with Nessler asking students from his econ class if they are interested in participating.

With year one behind them, Nessler said he was able to provide a better blueprint for the competition for his students.

Junior Cullen Slette raises his hand to answer a question during the final round of the State Economic Challenge. The final round is a head-to-head quiz bowl, which helped New Ulm as many of their players came from Knowledge Bowl.

“Last year, I had no idea what to expect,” he said. “This year I knew a little bit more going in about how things worked. I was able to give the kids some more information. We had high expectations this year because we won last year at MSU [regionals]. I thought we had a pretty good shot of at least making it back up to St. Paul.

In addition to the Robinson division team, Nessler’s team from last year also won their regionals to participate in the David Ricardo division. This division is reserved for teams with people who are returning to the competition. The Ricardo division team did not make it to the quiz bowl round.

Nessler said the regional and state wins are a testament to the quality of education offered at New Ulm High School. Having several members from the Knowledge Bowl team also helped, especially during the quiz bowl round which plays out similarly to knowledge bowl rounds.

Slette was the lone junior on the Joan Robinson division team, which had three seniors. He said he was able to absorb a lot from his competitors and teams in higher divisions.

“There were some really smart kids there,” Slette said. “It was a lot of fun. I learned a lot of stuff about economics I didn’t know beforehand, especially from the people who were in the higher divisions that went after we did. There’s some real genius kids.”

Slette said he will be competing next year, and he will be looking to put in more effort and time as he goes up against the stiffer competition of the Ricardo division.