Jacob Steiger, a seventh-grader at West Salem Middle School, got an unexpected phone call from Gov. Jim Doyle’s wife, Jessica, a couple weeks ago.

“They announced to the whole school that I’d won the contest and told me she’d be calling,” said Steiger.

The contest he was referring to is called “Where in Wisconsin is Jessica Doyle.” It’s a weekly geography game played throughout the school year. Students from all over the state can play online. They are given a series of clues that help them identify one of the state’s cities.

Steiger became the Week 2 state winner when he provided the correct answer: Sheboygan. Clues noted the mystery city was the state’s bratwurst capital and home to the Kohler Art Museum as well as a memorial to the Lao and Hmong people who fought for the U.S. in the Vietnam War.

Of course, among the thousands of entries received, Steiger’s was not the only correct one. The weekly winner’s name is drawn at random by computer from those students whose sleuthing skills led them to the right city.

“I was surprised when I found out I was the winner,” Steiger said. Sheboygan proved to be lucky for him as he not only won a family pass good for one year’s admission to all Wisconsin state parks and historical sites, but also passes to an indoor waterpark and a historical museum in Sheboygan.

Doyle, a former teacher, presented Steiger with his prizes at an assembly at the school on Wednesday, Oct. 1. His parents, Dave and Lisa Steiger also were in the audience.

She also read a commendation from the governor. Besides complimenting Steiger on his geographical smarts, Doyle emphasized to the students how lucky they were to be living in a community like West Salem.

“I am so impressed with the wonderful school facilities you have here in West Salem,” she told the students. “That tells me that you live in a community that really supports the education of its children.”