Wisconsin Civics Games

media release: Students from 16 teams across the state will compete at this year’s Wisconsin Civics Games state finals on May 1, the Universities of Wisconsin announced today.

Members of the winning team will each earn a $2,000 scholarship to a Wisconsin college or university of their choice. The finals, to take place at the Capitol in Madison, are presented by the UWs in partnership with the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation and other organizations committed to strengthening civic literacy.

Forty-nine teams from 29 schools across Wisconsin participated this week in preliminary competitions that determined which teams would advance to the state finals.

Teams faced off virtually in head-to-head matchups, answering questions about the role of government, the U.S. Constitution, Wisconsin and U.S. history, elections, public policy, and current events. Judges for the Games included professors, UW students, Wisconsin Newspaper Association editors and Foundation board members as well as staff from the Wisconsin Historical Society, Girls Scouts of Wisconsin, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, and Wisconsin Counties Association.

The top two scoring teams from each division advanced. They are:

Belleville High School

Cedarburg High School Team #1

Cedarburg High School Team #3

FJ Turner High School, Beloit 

Freedom High School Team #2

Grafton High School

Lomira High School Team #1

Lomira High School Team #2

Platteville Team #1

Slinger Team #1

Slinger Team #2

Wauwatosa East

Wauwatosa West Team #1

Wauwatosa West Team #2

West Bend East and West High Schools Team #1

West Bend East and West High Schools Team #4

The state finals are open to the public, and media outlets are encouraged to attend. Welcoming remarks will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 411 South. The finals, which are scheduled to be broadcast on WisconsinEye, are expected to conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation launched the Civics Games in 2018 to strengthen civics education and engagement in our democracy. Following a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has continued to grow and expand its reach across the state.

Beginning next year, the Universities of Wisconsin plan to host the Civics Games on campuses, which will give students a chance to experience a college environment while continuing their civic learning.

Support for the Wisconsin Civics Games is provided by the Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, WisPolitics, Evjue Foundation, Wisconsin Counties Association, League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, WisconsinEye, Wisconsin Senate Scholars Program, Multi Media Channels, Carol O’Leary, and Godfrey & Kahn.