WisJEA 2025–26 Mini Contest Series
The Wisconsin Journalism Education Association is excited to kick off the 2025–26 WisJEA Mini Contest series—a yearlong opportunity to celebrate and elevate the work of Wisconsin’s high school student journalists.
Each month, student reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, and multimedia creators can submit their best work related to the month’s theme. Submissions must be student-produced journalism—text, video, photography, audio, or multimedia—accompanied by a 50–100 word description of the story behind the piece.
Quick Facts
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Open to Wisconsin high school journalists
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Adviser must be a current WisJEA member to submit entries
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Each student may submit only one piece per month (up to five entries per school)
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Current student work published in the past 12 months is eligible
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Work must be publicly available online
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Entries due by the 25th of each month
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Winners announced by the 5th of the following month via WisJEA social media and newsletter
2025–26 Themes
- September — Voices of Change
Feature student leaders, protests, advocacy, or anyone making a difference. - October — Fall in Focus
Capture autumn traditions, sports, homecoming, or seasonal changes. - November — Stories of Gratitude
Spotlight thankfulness, unsung heroes, acts of kindness, or community impact. - December — Traditions & Togetherness
Cover school rituals, holiday celebrations, or what brings people together. - January — Fresh Starts
Highlight new beginnings, resolutions, changes, or self-discovery. - February — Love & Leadership
Explore relationships, mentorship, teams, or the power of connection. - March — Behind the Scenes
Reveal what’s usually hidden—prep work, support staff, or under-the-radar roles. - April — Our Planet, Our Passion
Focus on environmental issues or causes that students care deeply about. - May — The Final Word
Reflect on the year—farewells, legacies, senior voices, or lessons learned.