Wayzata High School Student Places Second in Investwrite Essay Contest

WAYZATA, Minn. (April 5, 2005) — Garrett McConnach, a junior at Wayzata High School, has placed second in the national InvestWrite essay contest. The competition expands on The Stock Market Game, a financial literacy program that teaches students about investing money wisely.

With the help from RBC Dain Rauscher financial consultant Ryan Alstead, McConnach conducted research on Regis Corporation stock, and demonstrated his insight into what he believed was an excellent stock purchase. McConnach's essay was then chosen from more than 7,000 entrants.

McConnach received a $500 scholarship, a trophy and plaque, while his business education teacher, Candy Lee, received a $250 Visa gift card and a one-year subscription to the Wall Street Journal. In addition, both will receive a laptop computer.

BestPrep, which sponsors The Stock Market Game and InvestWrite Contest, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Minnesota students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be best prepared to face the economic challenges of the future.

RBC Dain Rauscher Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RY: TSX, NYSE), is one of the nation's largest full-service securities firms with more than 1,800 financial consultants and 5,000 employees. The company serves individual investors and businesses through offices coast to coast, and capital markets and correspondent clients in select U.S. and international markets. Founded in 1909, RBC Dain Rauscher is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and other major securities exchanges, as well as the Securities Investor Protection Corp. RBC Dain Rauscher is headquartered at 60 South Sixth Street in Minneapolis.