Lynn Binnie

This year’s UW-Whitewater American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter continued its long legacy of success by turning heads at this year’s Regional Conference.

On October 6th and 7th, the UW-Whitewater AMA chapter hosted its 15th Annual AMA Regional Conference. Students from around the world attended both live and virtually to watch keynote presentations, compete in competitions, and connect with companies at a career fair.

The event was a tremendous success. UW-Whitewater AMA senior advisor, Jimmy Peltier, commented on the massive turnout compared to past years, “It was our largest live event ever, with over 550 total attendees; about 20% were virtual. We had almost 30 universities involved, from as far away as Florida, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Germany, and the Netherlands.”

Of the 343 individual competitors, UW-Whitewater students won the most 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places of any chapter – by far.

UW-Whitewater Student Winners:
1st place winners: Trace Morrisey (Victor Envelope Perfect Pitch Competition), Madison Niezgoda (Henry Schein Mock Interview Competition), Noah Bulgrin (Gartner Sales Competition), Allie Sheline and Brielle Bird (AcuRite Digital Strategy).
2nd place winners: Emily Vorphal (Victor Envelope Perfect Pitch Competition), Colin Zander (Henry Schein Mock Interview Competition), Ethan Zgorzelski (Henry Schein Mock Interview Competition), Emily Vorphal (Gartner Sales Competition), Trace Morrisey (Gartner Sales Competition), Avery Goehring and Abby Daniels (AcuRite Digital Strategy), Almira Ajdini and Carmen De Cabo (AcuRite Digital Strategy).
3rd place winners: Claire Labecki (Victor Envelope Perfect Pitch), Joe Banish (Victor Envelope Perfect Pitch), Nick Walczak (Enterprise Virtual Perfect Pitch), Claire Labecki (Gartner Sales Competition), Abby Hodnik and Jacob Weston (AcuRite Digital Strategy), Ashlee Platta, Jillian Hansen, and Julia Wiggin (Sherwin-Williams Design), Avery Goehring, Lauren Arndt, Abby Daniels (Sherwin-Williams Design), Jacob Weston, Brielle Bird, and Alexis Johnson (Sherwin-Williams Design).

UW-Whitewater AMA Co-President, Madison Niezgoda, was among the top finishers overall taking 1st in the Henry Schein Mock Interview Competition and 2nd in the Gartner Sales Competition. “I thoroughly enjoyed competing against some of the best sales and marketing students from across the world. The opportunity to compete in and run one of the largest AMA Regional Conferences was one I will never forget!” added Niezgoda.

There were several highlights of the conference for Niezgoda, but she believed the most successful part was “creating an environment for students all across the world to network for the first time in person since 2019!”

A sizable event like this comes with a considerable number of hurdles. Planning efforts began several months in advance to set the chapter up for success. One of the largest challenges was the number of logistics that needed to be managed. “We had seven different competitions, all of which needed sponsors, judges, and students. The sheer number of competitions, students, food, room reservations, etc., created a logistical challenge – which our students handled with ease.” Peltier explained.

Several people were vital to the success of this conference beginning with the AMA Presidents Madison Niezgoda and Avery Goehring. Peltier was especially grateful for their dedication as he shared, “hats off to our two AMA Presidents. These young professionals drove everything, and while the stress was immense, they came through with flying colors.”

Niezgoda saw how the contributions of many came together to create a successful event. “I am extremely proud of the work the AMA Conference Team, advisors, and board put into making this event happen. We have been working on it since April and it was amazing to see all the details come together better than we ever expected!”

The experienced group of AMA advisors was a critical part of this conference’s success. Peltier noted how important their contributions were by adding he has “deep gratitude for AMA advisors Andy Dahl, Dan Herlache, Pavan Chennamaneni, and John DeGraff for their leadership and Stephanie Church for her assistance.”

UW-Whitewater’s AMA chapter has won International Chapter of the Year, an extremely prestigious accomplishment, for the past 11 straight years. This year’s chapter is preparing to make another run for the top finish at the 2023 AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, LA this spring.

Whether you are here for yourself or to better support your team, this interactive four-hour workshop provides an essential understanding of the five major components of mental health, and immediately usable practices to help maintain well-being and balance in the workplace. In this course, learn how to support yourself and colleagues in the development of planning, decision-making and managing negative outlooks leading to successful habits and overall health in and out of the workplace.

This event is available to registrants aged 18 and up. Event Fee – $175; CEU (optional) – $25

Limited to the first 30 registrants each session.

UW-W Rock County Campus. Friday, January 6, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For further information and to register, click here.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Wed., Dec. 7, 2022, in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. “Each year, as a state and nation, we recognize Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor the 2,403 lives lost, including 54 servicemembers from Wisconsin, in the attack on Pearl Harbor and to reflect on the service of the more than 330,000 Wisconsinites who served in World War II,” said Gov. Evers. “Today, we remember the heroism, sacrifice, and valor exhibited that day and every day since by generations of veterans and servicemembers.”  The governor also proclaimed Dec. 7, 2022, as “Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day” across the state. A copy of the governor’s Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day proclamation is available here. Executive Order #179 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Wed., Dec. 7, 2022, and is available here.

GRANT AWARDED TO WHITEWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Whitewater Community Foundation is proud to support the Whitewater Police Department with a $1,000 Community Action Grant which will be used to offset the costs associated with their efforts to improve outreach and communication through interpretation services while providing assistance to individuals unable to speak or understand the English language. Timely, accurate and reliable translation services are essential and vital to saving lives, now more than ever. Interpretation services have provided staff with the ability to assist members of our community during a wide range of calls for service from simple information requests, to assisting victims of significant crimes, and providing emergency medical assistance. The Whitewater Police Department is a full-service, community oriented and state accredited law enforcement agency consisting of 24 sworn officers and 13 civilian personnel, including a 24/7 Communications Center. Working together as a team under the leadership of Chief Dan Meyer, every effort is made to be innovative, professional and responsive to public safety concerns of our community. The Foundation extends their gratitude and appreciation to the Whitewater Police Department for their service to this community.

About WCF: The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures” through scholarships and community action grants. To donate and support the Foundation, simply send a check made out to Whitewater Community Foundation to P. O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI, 53190, or donate online at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org. For tax purposes, the Whitewater Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corporation.

Two concerts will be performed in UW-W’s Light Recital Hall this week. Saxophone Quartets & Ensembles will perform on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and a Jazz Holiday Concert will be on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling 262-472-2222. 

For the Saxophone Quartets & Ensembles, you can expect several saxophone quartets along with the UW-Whitewater Saxophone Ensemble, who will perform a wide variety of works and styles.

The final concert of the season, Jazz Ensembles and Combos Holiday Concert, features jazzy holiday tunes. This ensemble is directed by Dr. Michael Hackett with student performers. 

Beyond the many ticketed events happening this month in the Department of Music, there are a multitude of free events including student recitals, ensembles and studios. For a full lineup of events, please visit uww.edu/coac/events.

All music events are in the Light Recital Hall in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, located at 950 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, unless specified otherwise. Tickets are available in advance and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling 262-472-2222. There is a $2.00 surcharge if purchased at the door at the time of the event.

Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Wisconsin Makers.

“The Princess Bride” will be featured as Wisconsin Makers debuts Movie Night. The public is invited to attend the free showing of the family-friendly film at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the community makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater. Free popcorn will be served. Pizza, soda and water will be available for $1.

Before and after the film, attendees are welcome to tour the makerspace and see what it has to offer.

In addition, they will be able to peruse items in the makerspace’s rummage sale.

Wisconsin Makers President Al Jewer said Movie Night is designed to open the makerspace to area residents as it emerges from a two-year hibernation during the coronavirus pandemic. He noted that volunteers have been busy reorganizing the space for educational and recreational use.

“We have installed a 15-foot-wide movie screen and 500-watt surround-sound in our common area, and will be showing films periodically throughout the winter months,” Jewer said. “We want to provide a fun, affordable evening out for people of all ages.” Future Movie Nights are planned this winter; some will offer a double feature, with a Disney film shown first, he said. “We chose ‘The Princess Bride’ for our kickoff Movie Night because it is a classic that is geared to both young and old,” Jewer said.

“The Princess Bride” is a 1987 American fantasy adventure comedy about a farmhand named Westley who, accompanied by companions befriended along the way, must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, from the odious Prince Humperdinck. The film presents the story as a book being read by a grandfather to his sick grandson. Adapted by William Goldman from his 1973 novel of the same name, it is directed and co-produced by Rob Reiner and stars Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Gian, and Christopher Guest.

Located at the corner of Wisconsin and East Clay streets, Wisconsin Makers is a makerspace that creates an affordable, collaborative and educational environment that inspires people of all ages to become innovators within their communities by unlocking their skills through continual training. It has members from Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Waukesha counties and beyond, and all have access to the workshops around the clock. The facility houses machine, welding/fabrication, electronics, automotive, 3-D printing, laser engraving and woodworking shops. It also offers ceramics, metal art, quilting, fabric arts, matting/framing and more. The building is handicapped accessible, and has off-street parking, WiFi, and many other amenities.

For more information about Movie Night or the makerspace, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda includes Fox Meadows Apartment Building management presentation regarding actions that have
been taken to address concerns relating to their property at 291 N. Fraternity Lane, and Recruitment Process for Economic Development Director
This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person).
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86276586407?pwd=cUpLTTdvMEV2RVAwaDRYbG1GSERYd
z09
Passcode: 746391
Or Telephone:
1 305 224 1968
Webinar ID: 862 7658 6407
Passcode: 746391

Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Wednesday @ 9:00 a.m.
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner)
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Cravath Lakefront Room
312 W. Whitewater St.
Agenda includes PUBLIC HEARING TO DESIGNATE THE CONVERSE HOUSE (161 FREMONT STREET) AS A
LOCAL LANDMARK
AMENDED ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022 AT 10:00 AM TO ADD A VIRTUAL MEETING OPTION
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/223568885
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 223-568-885
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install

Editor’s note: The school district meeting was added on 12/5/22 at 6:30 p.m. A virtual option for the Landmarks meeting was added on 12/6/22 at 10:30 a.m.

According to an article in the Daily Jefferson County Union, “A Fort Atkinson woman who killed her 72-year-old grandmother and set fire to the house containing her body received a life sentence Thursday, December 1, according to court documents.

Elizabeth Durkee, 37, will be eligible for extended supervision after an initial confinement of 22 years, minus the 537 days she has already spent in custody.

Durkee taped her grandmother’s mouth and nose closed with floral print duct tape in 2021 after discussions involving end of life, according to criminal complaints filed at the time. Durkee stayed in the room while her grandmother suffocated, then spent at least two days in the house with the decaying corpse, according to court documents filed at the time.

On the morning of June 11, 2021, Durkee set a fire she originally intended to take her life and the life of her 2-year-old daughter. Officials briefly issued an amber alert after Durkee left with the daughter, but revoked it hours later when Durkee was arrested and her daughter was handed over to family members.”