By Amy Higgins
Enquirer contributor

A year ago, two Ripley students turned $100,000 into $159,167 in 10 weeks.

Last spring, a Springboro duo more than doubled their money - getting $217,915 for their initial investments.

The money wasn't real, so they weren't really investing. They were playing the Stock Market Game, a market simulation that gives participants the chance to learn about the ups and downs of Wall Street without risking their cash.

Hundreds more students will try their hand at investing a mock $100,000 Monday - and having some competitive fun in the process. You can, too, through the Enquirer-sponsored adult division.

"The Stock Market Game helps unlock the mysteries of the markets and investments," Layna Stiles, game coordinator at the University of Cincinnati Economics Center for Education and Research, said. "Students are completely absorbed by the game, and there is nothing that can match learning through experience."

The Stock Market Game is a national program run by the Securities Industry Foundation for Economic Education and coordinated in Ohio by UC's Economics Center.

"Adult participants value the opportunity to dabble in the market with hypothetical money before investing their own real dollars," Stiles said.

While the initial $100,000 might be pretend, the returns on their investments are based on market reality. Whoever has the highest portfolio at the end of 10 weeks is the winner.

And for each of the next 10 weeks, the Enquirer will let you know who is winning. Check the Saturday Business section, starting this week.

Sign up at www.cba.uc.edu/econed/smg.html.