The WNA Foundation has announced the upcoming dates for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing and Cartoon Contest and 2026 Wisconsin Civics Games.
Editorial Writing and Cartoon Contest
Returning for a fifth year, the contest asks students to convey their opinion about an issue related to the First Amendment through editorial writing or an editorial cartoon.
First-place winners will receive $500, second-place winners will receive $250, and third-place winners will receive $100. Winning entries also will 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.
Entries can be submitted from September 1 thru November 14.
Civics Games competition
The competition, which aims to promote civics education and encourage Wisconsin high school students to develop an interest in public service, will host play-off competitions virtually on April 8-9, 2026.
The top-performing teams will advance to the state finals on Friday, May 1, at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Members of the state championship-winning team will receive $2,000 scholarships to the Wisconsin college or university of their choice.
Following registration, participating teams will receive “The Framework of Your Wisconsin Government” textbook or link and access to several online resources to help them prepare for the competition(s).
A team may have any number of players who meet all eligibility requirements, but only up to four players can actively compete at any given time. Teams may compete with as few as one player. This year, schools are allowed to enter no more than two teams in the playoff competitions. A winning team will have a maximum of four players eligible for a scholarship.
Individuals interested in receiving general email alerts regarding Civics Games news and information can do so here.
Support the Civics Games
Those interested in supporting the Civics Games can do so in the following ways:
- Volunteer: Help with registration, supervising student participants and other tasks
- Donate: Make a monetary contribution to the Civics Games
- Sponsor: Become a Wisconsin Civics Games sponsor
About the Civics Games
Launched by the WNA Foundation in 2018, the first-ever Wisconsin Civics Games drew more than 100 students from 25 schools across the state. Platteville High School won the inaugural state championship, which was held on March 29, 2019, at the Wisconsin state Capitol. Team members were awarded $2,000 toward tuition to a Wisconsin college or university. (Watch the finals and see photos from the competition.)
The idea was the brainchild of Eve Galanter, a WNAF board member who previously served on the Madison Common Council and as district director for the late U.S. Senator Herb Kohl. She proposed the concept to the Foundation’s board of directors after learning of the increasing challenges facing municipalities that had seen a diminishing interest in public service. It was a trend that followed decades of declining civics education in schools.
Galanter’s idea coincided with the Wisconsin legislature’s adoption of a requirement that high school students pass the U.S. citizenship test to graduate — but the mandate didn’t address how school districts should prepare students. By offering study materials and resources to participants in the Games, the Foundation was able to fill this gap.
Although COVID-19 restrictions and considerations prompted the WNA Foundation to temporarily suspend the Civics Games, the Foundation has continued to encourage civics education and engagement through an editorial writing and cartoon contest.
Students have been asked to convey their thoughts on the First Amendment through a writing sample or illustration. Sixteen students, including middle schoolers, received cash awards and the opportunity to be published by newspapers across the state.
