2025\'s State of the State Art Contest Winner: Erin Kawata, 8th grade, Ann Arbor. Gretchen Whitmer announced there will be an art contest this year for the State of the State program cover and a writing contest for a chance to be included in the address. “The proposals I will share in this year’s State of the State address will build on the progress we’ve made and move Michigan forward. Besides the art contest, the Whitmer is asking young Michiganders to write their best short story or essay answering the question: “What do you love most about Michigan?”. State officials say the winning student’s story or essay will be featured as part of the State of the State Address on Feb. 25.