After the Journal Sentinel reported on the most popular license plates in Wisconsin last year, we posed a question to our readers: What does your license plate design mean to you?
You responded with interesting — and inspiring — stories of why you chose one of Wisconsin’s approximately 60 specialty license plates, from the most popular to the less common.
One the stories detailed the origin of the Children’s Wisconsin license plate. Andrew Brodzeller, who is now the hospital’s Grateful Family and System Liaison director, led the application process for the plate. It was one of his first projects in his earlier job as external communications manager.
Children’s Wisconsin license plate.
Brodzeller waited until 500 plates were on the road to get his own blue Children’s Wisconsin plate. That’s the minimum number of signatures required for a group to apply for a new plate, and the number of plates they must maintain three years after the design is approved to avoid the DMV discontinuing it.
There were about 800 valid Children’s Wisconsin plates last year. The design debuted in 2018. The $25, tax-deductible donation associated with the plate goes to the Children’s Hospital Foundation, which supports research, critical care for children and healthy community initiatives.
Brodzeller personalized his own plate with his niece’s birthdate, which was also “the first time I ever stepped into Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee Hospital.”
His niece was born early that morning at a community hospital and was transported to Children’s Wisconsin after her oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. She was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. His brother called and asked him to come be with them.
“(She) would have life-saving surgery a few days later … She would spend her first three months of life recovering at the hospital, cared for by an amazing team. My niece is doing amazing now, and our whole family is so thankful for the amazing care she received,” Brodzeller wrote.
More: These Wisconsin specialty license plates were the most popular in 2024
Why Wisconsinites chose other popular license plate designs
Here are other responses to our survey. You can still submit your stories using the form below, and we may continue updating this article with new responses.
Two respondents said they have the Road America plate, which is the most popular plate available to the general public in Wisconsin. Road America president and general manager Michael Kertscher told the Journal Sentinel the black-and-white color scheme was intentional, because it matches any vehicle.
“I chose it because I’m a huge racing fan and loved the design and color of the plate,” wrote Jim, who is “74 years young” and lives in Racine.
Joe, age 66 from La Crosse, also has the Road America design. “I love the track and the plate goes perfectly with my all-black vehicle!”
More: Road America license plate is even more popular in Wisconsin than Green Bay Packers plate. Why is that?
Jim, age 67 from Jefferson, has the Ice Age Trail Alliance plate. “After I retired, I took up hiking, then discovered the IAT, and have hiked it tons!”
There were about 3,000 Ige Age Trail plates on the road in Wisconsin in 2024, making it one of the most popular designs despite only being available for about a year and a half. The DMV sold out of the first 500 Ice Age Trail plates almost immediately, similar to the Road America plate’s popularity.
Doug, age 83 from Kewaskum, said he’s had a collector license plate since 1992 because he has an old Corvette that qualified.
He “paid 90 dollars (then) and never again.” Fees for collector vehicles have changed since then — it’s now $220 for the first automobile and $170 for any subsequent vehicles, but the registration doesn’t expire.
Sally, age 61 from Sheboygan Falls, has an Army veteran plate with the acronym BAYCB. Over 50 decals are available for veteran plates, representing different branches of service, wars and medal designations.
BAYCB stands for “Be All You Can Be,” a poplar recruiting slogan in the 1980s and 1990s that the Army brought back in 2023. “I chose it because the motto is still relevant and influences my outlook on life,” she wrote.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Readers share what their Wisconsin license plate designs mean to them