MADISON – Wisconsin Business World, an affiliate of WMC Foundation, announced the three winning students of its annual essay contest. The program, sponsored by ITU AbsorbTech, encourages middle and high school students to research and write about how a local business is a force for good within their community.
The winners of Wisconsin Business World’s 2026 Essay Contest:
Autumn Rominske – 12th Grade – Butternut High School
Trevor Heinzelmann – 11th Grade – Kettle Moraine High School
Cristal Rojas-Castillo – 12th Grade – Madison East High School
“So many Wisconsin businesses lead the charge in philanthropy, education programs, investment, and economic impact for our communities and state as a whole,” said Senior Director of Wisconsin Business World Michelle Grajkowski. “This essay competition challenges students to see the good that businesses do right in their own backyards. Cristal, Trevor, and Autumn rose to that task and did a fantastic job highlighting the impact of entrepreneurship, generosity, and investment.”
Winning students featured: Signature Signs & Graphics and Impact Cleaning in Butternut, Eaton Corporation in Waukesha, and Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant in Madison. Many other impactful businesses, large and small, from across the state were featured by other contest applicants. Each of the winning essay writers was awarded $500 thanks to ITU AbsorbTech’s generous sponsorship.
“We are very pleased to see young people being encouraged to notice and look into businesses that are doing good and creative things in the communities around them,” said ITU AbsorbTech’s Executive Chairman of the Board Jim Leef. “In many cases, the companies do not seek visibility for what they do. Many company leaders just want to do ‘the right thing’. We commend the students who took the time to research businesses.”
Wisconsin Business World’s mission is to reach, inspire and engage students from every corner of the state and to teach them the importance of business, entrepreneurship and the free market through virtual and in-person events, all while informing them of economic opportunities in their own communities. The organization’s key message, promoted through its programming and contests, is “Business is a Force for Good.”
Learn more about Wisconsin Business World and its programs here.
