Students have the chance to win one-on-one time with their state senator and other prizes.
State Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, is sponsoring a contest that asks students what they would do if they were running for governor of Wisconsin.
“We have an exciting gubernatorial election going on right now, and this contest is a way to engage the young people of our area in this important democratic process. Besides, both candidates are from Milwaukee. My contest gives kids in the 14th Senate District the opportunity to say what matters to them and to our area,” Olsen said.
The contest has three separate categories with different requirements for elementary, middle and high school students.
To enter the contest, elementary school students need to create a campaign poster that explains what they would do if elected governor.
Each poster must include one sentence explaining what they would accomplish as governor and can be no larger than 24 inches by 32 inches.
The elementary winner’s classroom will receive a pizza party and a visit from the state senator.
Middle school students must choose two activities from the following five:
?Create a campaign poster, no larger than 24 inches by 32 inches, that lists one thing they would do if elected governor.
?Write a campaign speech, 500 words or less, about why they are running for governor and what they hope to accomplish.
?Create a campaign flier for handing out door to door.
?Write a 30-second radio or TV advertisement.
?Write an essay, 500 words or less, that answers the question, “This year, the leading gubernatorial candidates from both parties are from the Milwaukee area. As a resident of the 14th Senate District, why would you make a good candidate for governor of Wisconsin?”
High school students must write an essay, 750 words or less, that answers the same question as the middle school essay, plus create one of the first four campaign documents listed above.
The winners of the middle and high school contests will spend a day in Madison with Olsen, attend meetings, hearings and floor sessions if the Senate is in session, and shadow a student page.
To be considered, the posters must include the student’s name, school, grade and teacher. The materials must be received by Election Day, Nov. 2, at: Sen. Luther Olsen, Room 22 South, State Capitol, P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882.
Winners will be announced and notified by Dec. 1.
“Adults get to vote and by doing so say what is important to them. This contest gives kids a voice to say what changes they would like to see. Who knows, we might even see some innovative ideas the adults have not considered,” Olsen said.