2024 Wisconsin Civics Games Contest Winners named
Issac Arenson, a seventh grader at Gilman School District, is the first place winner in the middle school division of 2024 Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest.
The WNA Foundation recently announced the winners of the contest. Returning for a fourth year, the contest asks students to convey their opinion about an issue related to the First Amendment through editorial writing or an editorial cartoon.
Eighteen students will receive cash awards, certificates and the opportunity to be published by newspapers across the state.
The contest is part of the WNA Foundation’s response to declining civics education and participation in the democratic process. Later this year, the nonprofit will host the third Wisconsin Civics Games, during which high school students compete to answer civics-related questions in head-to-head matches. The preliminary regional competitions will be held virtually on April 9-10, with the top 12 teams advancing to the state finals on May 2 at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Members of the winning team will each be awarded $2,000 toward tuition to a Wisconsin college or university of their choice.
Teachers and students interested in participating in the Games can sign up online through March 1.
Launched by the WNA Foundation in 2018, the first Wisconsin Civics Games drew more than 100 students from 25 schools across the state. Participants receive a textbook to help them prepare for the Games, as well as access to several online resources. Learn more at wisconsincivicsgames.com.
The 2024 winners are:
Cartoon Contest High School
1st Place: Ian Slager, Lake Mills High School, Jefferson, 12th grade; 2nd Place: Daniel Beaupre, West DePere High School, 12th grade; 3rd Place: Ruby Writt, Clark Street Community School, Dane, 10th grade; Honorable Mention 1: Cam Nelson, Marshfield High School, 11th grade; Honorable Mention 2: Caden Marchik, Kettle Moraine Global High School, Oconomowoc, 12th grade
Middle School
1st Place: Isaac Arneson, Gilman Middle School, 7th grade; 2nd Place: Willow Fedenia-Beste, University Lake School, Hartland, 8th grade 3rd Place: Jack Ferrell, University Lake School, Pewaukee, 7th grade; Honorable Mention 1: Elias Fournier, Fish Creek Middle School, 6th grade; Honorable Mention 2: Anneliese Ramirez, New Glarus Middle School, 7th grade
Writing Contest High School
1st Place – Cadence Breitbach – Poynette High School, Poynette – 11th grade; 2nd Place – Felix Bishop – Clark Street Community School, Middleton – 11th grade; 3rd Place – Jorja Stockton – Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Oshkosh – 12th grade; Honorable Mention – Emily Montes Laguna – Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee, Milwaukee – 12th grade; Honorable Mention – Olivia Regan – Poynette High School, Poynette – 12th grade
Middle School
1st Place – Nicolas Giang – Waunakee Community Middle School, Waunakee – 8th grade; 2nd Place – Hailey Serbiak-Severson – East Troy Middle School, Burlington – 6th grade; 3rd Place – Matias Giang – Waunakee Community Middle School, Waunakee – 8th grade
