The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin

11/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/12/2025 17:17

Gov. Evers Announces Theme for 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree, Invites Students and Families to Create Ornaments Celebrating Wisconsin’s Educators and School Support Staff

Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces Theme for 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree, Invites Students and Families to Create Ornaments Celebrating Wisconsin's Educators and School Support Staff

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 11/12/2025 04:33 PM CST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2025
Contact: [email protected]
Gov. Evers Announces Theme for 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree, Invites Students and Families to Create Ornaments Celebrating Wisconsin's Educators and School Support Staff
MADISON - Gov. Tony Eversannounced"The Learning Tree" as the theme for the 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree and invited students to contribute handmade ornaments celebrating and thanking Wisconsin's educators, child care providers, administrators, custodians, school bus drivers, counselors, librarians, school staff, tutors, mentors, after-school program teachers, and all the heroes in their lives who help them learn and support, educate, empower, and inspire them. Gov. Evers, who began 2025 by declaring it the Year of the Kid in Wisconsin,has spent his entire career fighting for Wisconsin's kidsand K-12 public schools, first beginningas a science teacherandgoing onto become a principal, superintendent,and state superintendent before becoming governor.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate 2025 the Year of the Kid during this holiday season than by giving thanks and gratitude to all those who are on the frontlines of doing what's best for our kids across our state every day. It's important that we recognize all those who play important roles in our kids' lives and help them learn, grow, and be the best people they can be," wrote Gov. Evers in a lettersent to students and educators. "So, I'm really excited to announce that the theme of the 2025 Wisconsin State Capitol Holiday Tree is 'The Learning Tree'to honor our educators, administrators, custodians, librarians, child care providers, school bus drivers, food service staff, and so many others who play a critical role in helping ensure our kids can bring their best and fullest selves to the classroom to learn each and every day."

"To engage with this theme, I encourage students to think about what learning means to them,as well as all of the good people in their lives who help make sure they can learn, be their best selves, and have fun," Gov. Evers continued. "Kathy and I are both really looking forward to seeing all of the amazing ornaments kids from across Wisconsin will be sending in to help decorate the tree in the Capitol this year to help celebrate learning and the people who help make it happen."

Wisconsin's Capitol Holiday Tree was nominated by USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awardsfor Best Public Holiday Lights Display this year,based on recommendations from a panel of experts. To cast your vote for the Wisconsin Capitol Holiday Tree, visit the USA Today 10BESTpageand select Best Public Holiday Lights Display to submityour vote by December 1. Votes may be submittedby individuals 18 or older, and are limited to 1 vote per person, per category, per day. See additional rulesfor details here. Winners will be announced on Wed., Dec. 10, 2025.

The Capitol Holiday Tree is displayed in the rotunda of the Wisconsin State Capitol building throughout the holiday season and serves as a centerpiece of festivity for those visiting and working at the Capitol.

Each year, the Capitol Holiday Tree is decorated with handmade ornaments from kids, students, and families from every corner of the state. This year, students are encouraged to make ornaments that reflect what Wisconsin's educators and all those who help keep Wisconsin's schools running mean to them.

All students and families are welcome to submitornaments for "The Learning Tree" and should mail ornaments by Fri., Nov.21, 2025, to:


Emily Gorman

Wisconsin Department of Administration

Division of Facilities and Transportation Services

17 West Main Street, Suite 119

Madison, WI 53703

Students are asked to make ornaments from non-breakable material. They must be strong enough to hold up during shipping and to be handled while the tree is being decorated. It is recommended that students do not use fragile items or paper cutouts that may tear easily,and that ornaments are 4-6 inches in size and are made from a color that contrasts with the color of the tree so they can easily be seen and enjoyed by all visitors. Please attach a ten-inch loop of ribbon or string from which each ornament will hang.

If you have any questions about an ornament, please contact the Facilities Management Information Center at (608) 266-1485. Please note that ornaments will not be returned.

An online version of this release is available here.
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Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702
Press Office Email: [email protected]
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The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin published this content on November 12, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 12, 2025 at 23:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]