Most people consult their financial advisors for investing tips and strategies, but now some might begin asking four students from Biloxi High School, who were named fall winners in the Mississippi Stock Market Game.

The SMG is an online education program used in thousands of classrooms nationwide to help teach math, social studies, business, economics and language skills. Students in grades four through 12 participate in teams and manage a simulated investment portfolio during the school year.

The simulation is one of the most effective learning tools available about the free enterprise system for students in grades four through 12. The program enables teams of students to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in the stock market over a 15-week period. Winners are determined on the percentage return above or below S&P 500 growth. The Biloxi High School team outperformed the S&P by 8.184% and grew their portfolio to $112,729 over the 15-week session.

The Biloxi team will have to wait until the spring semester is over, however, to learn if they are the overall state winners. If they are determined the overall state winners, the team and their teacher, Danny Wasilenko, receives an all-expenses paid trip to New York City.

The team will be honored at the Mississippi Council on Economic Education’s Annual Awards Ceremony on May 15 at Mississippi College in Clinton. Team members are Biloxi High School students Justin Lecamu, Erin Golladay, Alex Villanueva, and Tyler Moore.

The curriculum used in the SMG is linked with national and state standards. Teachers report that math scores increase when the SMG is used in the classroom.

Data from the Mississippi State University Center for Economic and Financial Literacy shows that high school students who participate in the SMG, score 8 points higher on the Test of Economic Literacy.

The SMG is made possible by the support of more than 600 securities firms, combined with grass-roots support in schools and communities. It is the only stock market simulation supported by the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Mississippi businesses sponsor the SMG and to date 51,065 students on 6,500 teams have participated in this state-wide competition. Sponsors for the 2011-2012 SMG program are Merrill Lynch, BancorpSouth, State Farm and Trustmark Bank.

Take the survey: If you haven't taken the online survey about Biloxi Public Schools, do it now, says Biloxi Public Schools Superintendent Arthur McMillan. To take the survey, which takes only a few minutes, click here.

New athletic schedule: When Athletic Director Tom Gladney released the March athletics schedule for Biloxi Public Schools a few weeks ago, he said March was generally the busiest month of the year. What he didn't know was that weather would wreak havoc on the schedule. As a result of multiple cancellations and postponements, Gladney has released an updated schedule for March. To see it, click here.

Dr. Seuss' birthday: Students at Popp's Ferry Elementary participated in Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' Birthday, on March 2. Students enjoyed green eggs and ham for breakfast and they also dressed like characters from Seuss books. Each class also set aside 30 minutes to read a Seuss book. To see photos from the Popp's Ferry Seuss day, click here.