MONTICELLO — Sixteen high school and middle school students have been recognized by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation for their submissions to the 2023 Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest. The contest asks Wisconsin youth to submit editorials or cartoons expressing their thoughts on the First Amendment.

Among those honored was Julia Cash of Monticello High School. Cash took second place in the high school writing contest.

Taking top honors among high school students in the writing competition was Sandy Flores Ruiz, a senior at Madison West High School who encouraged students to learn about when a journalist stood up to a powerful U.S. Senator from Wisconsin.

“One of the first people to openly challenge [Joseph] McCarthy was renowned journalist, Edward R. Murrow,” Ruiz wrote. “It took great courage, but Murrow’s exposés about McCarthyism played an important role in the senator’s downfall.”

Ruiz pointed to how McCarthy managed to silence many Americans by using scare tactics and intimidation but, ultimately, the First Amendment prevailed.

“In the end, it was freedom of speech and freedom of the press, enshrined in our Constitution, that helped protect Americans from McCarthy’s demagoguery,” Ruiz wrote.

Former La Crosse Tribune publisher Rusty Cunningham, a WNA Foundation board member and contest judge, applauded Ruiz’s strong arguments and use of relevant examples.

Also winning first place honors were Eleena Ertmer, a seventh grader at Bridges Virtual Academy in Endeavor who wrote about how the First Amendment drives creativity and invention; Margot Eck, a freshman at Clark Street Community School in Middleton whose stunning artwork portrayed a poignant message; and Kate G., of Madison, whose cartoon made a strong point about critical protections offered by the First Amendment.

Students from 19 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 16 winners will receive prizes totaling $3,600. The awards are funded by the University of Wisconsin System.

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 11-12, with the top 12 teams advancing to the state finals on May 10 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 March 1. 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.