The Wisconsin Journalism Education Association (WisJEA) is proud to announce the winners of its first mini contest for the 2025-26 school year. This campaign was launched to celebrate the exceptional work of student journalists across the state and increase engagement within the WisJEA community.
A panel of judges evaluated 14 entries submitted by dedicated advisers from four different Wisconsin high schools. The entries were judged using a comprehensive rubric focusing on technical quality, creativity, and overall impact.
The winners for this period are:
- Photography: Cameron Meland (Robert M. LaFollette HS) for “Friday Night Hoco Lights.” Adviser: Darcy Poquette.
- Judge’s Comment: “Really great shots. They are sharp and generally capture powerful moments, with a strong focus on faces and unique action and interactions between people.”
- Written: Evan Rosenau (Hamilton HS) for “The Woman Who Changed Writing Forever – Virginia Woolf – Erased Queer Stories.” Adviser: Sarah Kowalske.
- Judge’s Comment: “Wow! What a great stories and series. This was so well written and engaging to the reader.”
- Video: Ben Breining (Black River Falls HS) for “Mission-driven teaching.” Adviser: Julie Tiedens.
- Judge’s Comment: “Great topic with an angle that isn’t really focused on by students.”
To be eligible for future monthly contests, advisers must be current members of WisJEA. Submissions for the next round are due on January 25, 2026.
For more information on how to join WisJEA and support student journalism, please visit our website at www.wisjea.org.
