Knight Capital is Pace Academy’s financial investment club, where students can explore their interest in economics, entrepreneurship, business, and more. The club is a majority student-run organization, this year headed by Senior Ryan Merlin as president and junior John Hardesty as vice president. Along with the student leads, Knight Capital works with their parent advisor, Michael Merlin, for advice and tips in the financial field. The club meets frequently to discuss the best investment strategies that will make the most net profit while doing so in an engaging format.
“Having a comfort level with financial topics like investing is crucial to everyone, regardless of what career you ultimately decide on after college,” added Michael Merlin, explaining why he believes that Knight Capital is such an asset to the Pace Community. At the beginning of each year, the club starts with a set amount of money in its portfolio. Then, using the money management methods the students have learned throughout the year, they decide the best ways to invest the money they have made. This single aspect of the club sets it apart from most other clubs at Pace. The majority of the clubs at Pace are either informative or hands-on, but Knight Capital is both. Students can learn about the world of finance while also participating in it.
The last meeting for the club every year is dedicated to deciding where these end-of-year funds should go. Most of the time, funds go towards Pace-centered organizations or clubs, but the meeting is a space where any student can voice their opinions on the best ways to go about divesting the money. For example, a few years ago, the Pace students in Knight Capital decided that they were passionate about using their money to make a difference in the Russia-Ukraine war, so they set aside an allotted amount of money to help with relief in Ukraine. Students praise this process because it lets them see the positive effects of all the progress they have made throughout the year.
“I think the energy and enthusiasm of the Knight Capital members for investing has raised awareness for, and interest in, financial education,” shared Michael Merlin. The club is all about getting students involved in the economic scene, as it ensures that knowledge will last them a lifetime. Each year, Knight Capital continues to grow, and students can’t get enough of it.