Twelve high school and middle school students have been recognized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation for their submissions to the 2022 Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest. The contest asks Wisconsin youth to submit editorials or cartoons expressing their thoughts on the First Amendment.
Taking top honors among high school students in the writing competition was Abby Isermann of Iola.
“When the framers penned the First Amendment, they intended it to serve as a safeguard against corruption and injustice,” Isermann wrote. “They knew that allowing citizens to speak freely would spark conflict, but they understood that a free press was necessary to prevent the abuse of power and represent the will of the people.”
Citing the works of authors Harriet Beecher Stowe and Upton Sinclair, Isermann highlighted moments in history shaped by the First Amendment.
“After establishing a clearly focused thesis, Abby carefully outlined her arguments for why the First Amendment has been so essential to the United States and democracy in general,” said WNA Foundation President Scott Peterson, who served as a contest judge. “… she showed how freedom of expression can encourage important discussion that can often lead to substantive change.”
Also winning first place honors were Cam Nelson, a freshman at Marshfield High School who used a powerful graphic to illustrate the importance of freedom of speech and government attempts to stop it; Milo Dale, an eighth grader at Washburn Middle School who took a comic approach to illustrating his point about the First Amendment; and Kenyon Hill, a seventh grader at St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Pleasant Prairie who wrote about the freedoms he is afforded every day because of the First Amendment.
Students from 22 schools across the state participated in this year’s contest. Entries were judged on adherence to the theme, quality of writing or artwork, originality, and proper use of grammar, spelling and punctuation. The 12 winners will receive prizes totaling $3,150.
A complete list of winners and their entries can be viewed at wisconsincivicsgames.com.
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 13-14, with the top 12 teams advancing to the state finals on May 12 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 at bit.ly/wicivicsgames through Feb. 20. Participants will receive a textbook to help them prepare for the Games, as well as access to several online resources. Learn more at wisconsincivicsgames.com.
