WISDAA contests are school-based, meaning if students are interested in entering contests, they must have a school administration-approved sponsor/advisor who will supervise and travel with the group. Schools attending festivals at UW System campuses also must meet the responsible adult supervision protocols (§2 of the Eligibility/Participation Rules).
WISDAA has offered high school contests in public speaking and performance of literature since its founding in 1895, with middle level contests added in the early 1990s. The middle level season starts in mid-January with “Level 1 festivals,” with all participants having an additional opportunity in mid-February with “Level 2 festivals.;” all middle level contestants earn ribbons at each festival. The high school season starts in early-February with subdistrict festivals, and in early-March with district festivals, culminating with the State Festival in April. High school students must earn qualifying scores at each level to advance, and they earn medals at State. Individual students may participate in-person or virtually at any level.