Left to right: Anthony Guzman ’16, Micala Baskin ’19, Ashley Huckey ’16, and Trevor McCarley ’17.

A team of four students from Texas A&M represented the Financial Planning program in the final round of the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA) Retirement Knowledge Quiz Bowl competition on Sept. 21 in Denver, Colo .

Team members Micala Baskin ’19, Trevor McCarley ’17, Anthony Guzman ’16, and Ashley Huckey ’16 were tested on their knowledge of financial planning and retirement issues. As one of six teams chosen to participate in the quiz bowl, they advanced through the elimination round and went head-to-head with The University of Akron.

The quiz bowl was a game-show style challenge that engaged students in general retirement planning issues and expanded awareness of the financial planning profession. Each team answered questions from the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) exams.

“It was very exciting when we found out we were advancing to the final round. Walking into the auditorium and being on the big stage in front of hundreds of chairs was nerve-wracking,” Baskin said.

In addition to participating in the quiz bowl challenge, students were invited to participate in educational sessions at the NAGDCA conference. Students were assigned a mentor – someone who currently works in the retirement planning sector.

“The mentors were very helpful and interested in getting to know us. It shaped my perspective on the industry positively and clarified that this [financial planning] is what I want to do and where I need to be,” Baskin said.