How are Wisconsin’s state symbols, like the state bird, chosen? Schoolchildren often play a part.

Noted: Although the badger has long been associated with Wisconsin and shows up in things like the coat of arms, state seal and as the University of Wisconsin’s mascot, students in four Jefferson County elementary schools were shocked to find the badger wasn’t the official state animal; in 1957, they lobbied to get a bill introduced to declare the badger to be the state animal.