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(Whitewater Public Library submission) The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library will host the Fiber Therapy Craft Group as they meet virtually on May 27 at 6 p.m. All are invited to register at whitewaterlibrary.org for an invite to this virtual meet-up: Do you dabble in the fiber arts? Join our virtual craft circle! Whether you knit, crochet, or stitch, you’re invited to unwind and unravel with fellow crafters. Share what you’re working on and learn from others. Beginners and experts are welcome. This is not a formal class; attendees must supply their own crafting materials.

(Ripon College submission) Clarice Bergman and Jacob Zuehlke of Whitewater, Wisconsin presented projects at Catalyst Day at Ripon College. Catalyst Day – held each fall and spring – is designed to showcase Ripon College’s Catalyst curriculum and celebrate the achievements of the students who are completing the capstone seminar in Applied Innovation. The theme for Catalyst Day reflects Ripon’s institutional commitments to sustainability and innovation. Throughout the day, attendees have the opportunity to watch student presentations that tackle worldwide issues.

Catalyst 300 students are tasked with developing solutions to prominent real-world issues outlined by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. After Catalyst students are assigned one of these challenges, they demonstrate their mastery of applied innovation by identifying a location where their challenge exists and working collaboratively to propose viable solutions.

Presentations can be viewed at ripon.edu/catalyst-day/presenters.

Ripon College, founded in 1851, is Wisconsin’s best-value private college and a national leader in liberal arts education, devoted to ensuring every student realizes their unique potential. Ninety-six percent of alumni are employed, in graduate school or student-teaching within six months. In recognition of its academic excellence, the college was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in 1953, placing it among a select group of the nation’s top colleges. Ripon has the highest earning graduates in Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. Ripon ranks first in Wisconsin and third in the Midwest on Washington Monthly’s list of “Best Bang for the Buck” colleges. The College has the highest minority graduation rate in the nation. Ripon is consistently recognized as a “Best Value” and “Best 383 College” by The Princeton Review and a Top Tier National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News & World Report. For more information about Ripon College, visit ripon.edu.

(Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis press release) Lorrie Koppein, Chairperson of the Whitewater Kiwanis Club Drive-Up Pancake Breakfast, and Jean Bromley, Club President, would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make the first drive-by Whitewater Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on May 8 a wonderful success. The event was held at the Downtown Armory, with vehicles entering through Ketterhagen Ford’s north display lot. Huge thanks go out to all the patrons and donors for their contributions. Over 500 breakfasts were distributed and revenues in excess of $4400 were received.  Every dollar after expenses will be returned to the community as needed and identified by the Club.

Thanks go, also, to all of the volunteers who helped set up, prepare, pack and clean up on pancake day, including the Kiwanians, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Circle K, Whitewater High School Key Club, Whitewater Middle School Builder’s Club, Ferradermis and Youth Soccer Club members.  This kind of effort takes a village, and we are so grateful to ours!

Each year, the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including scholarships.  Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and accessible playground at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, Ferradermis, and more. 

Whitewater Unified School District Employee Handbook Committee – Monday @ 3:30 p.m.
Agenda – Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner
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3:30 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81309217908?pwd=WEE5aUwyUXpucWRGMWhDTllENjlOdz09
– Webinar ID: 813 0921 7908
– Passcode: 942660
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 813 0921 7908
– Passcode: 942660

Irvin L. Young Memorial Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes library building project.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/375713733
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 375-713-733
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/375713733

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes allowing alcohol in Cravath Lakefront Park, repeal of face coverings ordinance, changes to Brown Cab shared ride taxi service, and approval of design of new water tower.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/96627002480?pwd=QzZrbVF2STZ5QWdxWEJxSUwrK2hDUT09
Passcode: 375937
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 966 2700 2480
Passcode: 375937

Whitewater Unified School Board Policy Review Committee – Wednesday @ 10 a.m.
Agenda – Click on “meetings” in upper right hand corner
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin

City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Aquatic & Fitness Center agreement and business/marketing plan
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/249222741
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (646) 749-3112
Access Code: 249-222-741
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/249222741

Common Council Meeting, held jointly with Plan and Architectural
Review Commission and Community Development Authority – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes brief review of Tax Increment Financing; presentation and discussion regarding district boundaries, feasibility of Whitewater plans A through E, and analyses of districts
Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be 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.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/94050739033?pwd=MHYzNW5JVDBmUDQzS2N2Uk1PYU9kZz09
Passcode: 253898
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 1 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 940 5073 9033
Passcode: 253898
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/ab8ueTRCX6

(UW-W press release) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization hosted the virtual Warhawk Business Plan Competition on May 5. Six finalists pitched their business plan ideas to the judges, and at the end of the exciting “Shark Tank”-style event, three student teams were awarded $2,250 in tuition credit at UW-Whitewater.

Bailey Wichert, an entrepreneurship major from Waukesha, won first place and $1,000 in tuition credit with his pitch for Secure Ski — an innovative product he designed to prevent skis from being stolen.

The team of Arianna Plaster and Braden Bunnow, both entrepreneurship majors, earned second place for Prodigy Contracting. Plaster and Bunnow have already launched their general construction company, which specializes in government projects. Dan Gauerke, an entrepreneurship major, took third place with an exotic car parts company named Lead Pedal Parts.

The other business plan finalists included Jasmine Haag with Golden Hour Patisserie, with creative bakery and delivery, Hannah Kalis with Preference, a Greek life dating app, and the team of George Soucek and Jason Tamras with PortaPlug, a portable smartphone charger.

Dave Gee, lecturer, entrepreneurship program coordinator, UW-Whitewater Launch Pad co-director, and CEO chapter advisor, was proud of the dedication and perseverance demonstrated by the competitors and CEO chapter members.

“We had an outstanding group of finalists this year, and in fact, we have never had such a breadth of competitors,” he said. “Our CEO chapter has done an amazing job of adapting to our virtual world, and the Warhawk Business Plan Competition was no exception.”

All participating students dedicated significant time and effort to complete the two-stage competition, which begins with a business plan and two-minute video, and culminates with the pitch at the live event. The structure provides a framework for students to develop a sound business plan and prepare to explain their ideas to prospective investors and customers.

The event judges, including Brian Jensen of FLIR Systems, Jim Caldwell of First Citizens State Bank, and Joe Donovan of the Donovan Group and ProPRcopy, asked the students insightful questions regarding their ideas and plan development. They also shared their extensive expertise as entrepreneurs and investors.

The Warhawk Business Plan Competition was started by the UW-Whitewater Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization in 2007 to encourage student entrepreneurs to turn their inspiration into startup businesses. Each year, the event depends on the judges, CEO chapter members, faculty mentors, and event sponsors for its success.

UW-Whitewater CEO’s mission is to inform, support and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation. This successful student organization offers access to invaluable resources, such as the UW-Whitewater Launch Pad and UW-Whitewater Incubation Program, as well as exceptional education and networking experiences. Learn more about the UW-Whitewater entrepreneurship program and resources available to students at uww.edu/cobe/bachelors/degrees-and-majors/entrepreneurship.

(Discover Whitewater press release) – From police officers positioned at all areas of the course to public safety, parking and providing picturesque landscape, the City of Whitewater has been a crucial part of the Discover Whitewater Series: Half Marathon & 5K for nine years. 

“The City of Whitewater is proud to be a sponsor of the Discover Whitewater Series and strives to maintain a safe and fun environment for all participants and spectators, along with our community as a whole,” said City of Whitewater PR and Communications Manager Kristin Mickelson. “We are grateful for those who take safety seriously so people from all over can continue to enjoy this event and all Whitewater has to offer.”

Police officers from the city keep traffic going the correct way and runners on the move on race day. The city provides traffic cones, barricades, and no parking signs to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time whether they’re on the half marathon or 5K course, or lining up at the starting line and passing through the finish line. Detour signs are placed throughout the city to help people to move safely on race day.

One of the DWS’ main goals is to promote the beauty of the City of Whitewater. The half marathon showcases many of the cornerstones of Whitewater, such as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, business park, Whitewater Unified School District, and the many beautiful landscapes this city offers. 

“The purpose of this race has always been to showcase and benefit the Whitewater community,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “We are grateful for how involved the City is in our goal. This race would not be possible without the generous support from the city.”

Participants for the DWS come from all over the United States, and this event is a great way to show what a great place Whitewater is to visit, live, and play. Go to https://runwhitewater.com/ to register for race day and secure your spot at the start line. 

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features, while keeping everyone in the community active. All the proceeds from the race are donated to five local non-profit partners: Bethel House (which provides interim housing for homeless families), Whitewater LEADS, Working for Whitewater’s Wellness (W3), Whitewater Unified School District and the J-Hawk Aquatic Club.

(Whitewater Unites Lives submission) Willie Hearn III is a WUL Hometown Hero, for donating his time and talent to create a lemonade stand for kids to use to raise funds for the City of Whitewater Police Department – K9 TILLA’S NEXT RIDE.

Willie, who is known by many in the community as “Sam,” said, “My neighbor’s granddaughter wanted to sell lemonade, but didn’t have a lemonade stand, so I volunteered to make one.”

Sam is well-loved at the Garden Apartments.  The management team there prepared a celebration for Sam when he received his award.

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

 Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

(Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club submission)  On Thursday, May 13, Steve Ryan and Jean Bromley, of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club, presented certificates of recognition and $100 to each of the following students for their excellence at Whitewater High School:  Carson Ellenwood and Jonathon Magaña. Seniors Jonathan Magaña and Carson Ellenwood were nominated by staff for their outstanding character and leadership this year. This award acknowledges students who have gone above and beyond in the school in various ways.

Jonathan Magaña is an outstanding student leader. He leads with kindness and by doing what is right. He’s active in sports and clubs. He serves as a Lead Dog and although the year’s ups and downs have made this role difficult, Jonathan can be seen acting kind to all students and serving as a role model. Jonathan is never short of encouraging words for his peers in class. He demonstrates kindness and respect at all times. He knows the importance of doing his best and tries to bring out the best in those around him even making efforts to make sure some of his friends have rides to school. Jonathan is a brave advocate for others and never shies away from sharing his support of fellow students or standing up for them in a positive way. Jonathan Magaña has been a positive, contributing member of the school community and he is the epitome of TheWhippetWay.

Carson Ellenwood opted to remain fully virtual as a JEDI student this year, but he continued to fully engage with WHS and demonstrated strong leadership as part of both the robotics team and NHS. Carson is one of the kindest, most mature, and most responsible students we have. He took the lead in communicating with the elementary schools and virtually mentored the LEGO League teams at two buildings. Carson was an integral part of the Ferradermis administrative team, taking the lead on the execution of all Robotics Week activities, including the Penny War to raise funds for the Kiwanis for accessible playground equipment. He put in dozens of hours in Google Meets and on his own time, working on the virtual submissions for multiple robotics competitions, always fully supporting his teammates and making sure that everyone’s ideas were valued and included. When something needs to get done, Carson will see it through and make it happen.

This award was developed by the late Dr. Patrick Brooks, who believed in recognizing student achievement.  He strongly felt that there were many students who were doing fantastic work without recognition.  He wanted to be able to give that recognition, and was the inspiration behind this award. 

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help children in the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100 percent of funds raised going directly to projects helping improve the lives of children in the community.  Each year the club distributes approximately $20,000, with over half going to the Whitewater Unified School District, including scholarships. Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelter and accessible playground at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Family Partnership Fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House and more. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world
one child and one community at a time.