“Business is a Force for Good” Essay Contest Winners Announced

MADISON – Wisconsin Business World – a program of WMC Foundation – announced the winners of its 2020 Business is a Force for Good essay contest on Wednesday.

Middle and high school students across the state were challenged to research and report on how businesses in their local communities and throughout the state are helping their employees, the healthcare industry and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This contest was made possible due to the generous support of Georgia-Pacific.

Business World received nearly 200 entries in its inaugural essay contest from all corners of Wisconsin highlighting how businesses, large and small, have done everything from changing their manufacturing lines to working with local food banks to ensure their communities and employees remained safe and taken care of throughout this pandemic.

“It was incredibly moving to read all the essays submitted for this contest,” said Michelle Grajkowski, Wisconsin Business World Director. “Businesses across the state have shown they are a force for good, and the students gained a better understanding of the commitment employers have to their local communities.”

The three top essays in the high school competition were written by Plymouth High School senior, Sarah; Muskego High School Junior, Jordyn; and Wausau West High School senior, Jared. Each of the high school winners will receive $500.

The four top middle school essays were written by DePere Middle School 8th grader, Elijah; Nativity of Our Lord (Rhinelander) 7th grader, Brody; Prairie View Middle School (Sun Prairie) 7th grader, Evan; and Amherst Middle School 8th grader, Aleda. Each of the middle school winners will receive $250.

“While COVID-19 forced us to cancel our one-day educational programs this spring and both upcoming summer camps, we were eager to connect with students in a different way,” added Grajkowski. “This essay contest gave students a glimpse into the business world and helped them understand why employers throughout Wisconsin are critical parts of our communities.”

Videos and excerpts from the high school and middle school winners, along with links to their complete essays are available at wibusinessworld.org.

Since 1982, WMC Foundation’s Wisconsin Business World program has educated more than 25,000 high school students on business, entrepreneurism and free enterprise, through Summer Camps, one-day programs and classroom presentations. The Business World message is simple — Business is a Force for Good. This has been no clearer than right now as business after business shifts their focus to helping the people of Wisconsin.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.