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(UW-W American Marketing Assoc. press release) In a year when nothing seemed certain, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater American Marketing Association chapter carried on its championship legacy by once again earning the AMA International Chapter of the Year title at the International Collegiate Conference held virtually on April 8-10, 2021.

It is the 17th time that UW-Whitewater AMA has held or shared this title — and the 10th time in a row. 

“Our motto for the year was ‘Run for 10,’ and they sure did it!” said Jimmy Peltier, professor of marketing, chair of the Department of Marketing and longstanding advisor to the AMA team. “But that was just the start, as our chapter took home more honors than ever in our long and illustrious history.”

With more than 300 chapters worldwide in competition, earning the title requires considerable commitment. The students began preparing new initiatives last spring, and worked through the summer as well as the fall and spring semesters to be successful. Running the chapter virtually — and ensuring students were engaged and thriving — was an additional challenge.

“We had to be at our best for the whole year,” said Alec Arndt, a marketing major and chapter co-president. “And in this year of hardship, one of our major goals was to give back to the community and all AMA members. This included pro bono work for local businesses, external competitions to provide other chapters opportunities to compete and earn money, and raising the most donations by any chapter for the AMA Foundation’s Giving Tuesday.”

Among the accolades earned as a result of the hard work was the prestigious AMA Student Marketer of the Year, which was awarded to Alexandra (Lexi) Ragano, a marketing major from South Elgin, Illinois.

“I still can’t believe it,” she said days after the award was announced. “I was humbled just to be nominated and then overwhelmed when I won. My name may be on the award, but it reflects all the support from the chapter advisors and my co-presidents and other AMA members. Dr. Andy Dahl was such a great mentor to me as well, and Dr. Jimmy Peltier really pushed me to be the student and professional I now am.”

Warhawks students won several coveted individual and group awards, including:

• Brianna Oelke, a marketing major from Milwaukee, won first place in the AMA Sales Competition; marketing major Audrey Bouland, from Janesville, took second place; and Mya Allen, an accounting and finance major from Slinger, and Dominicka (Dom) Szeliga, a marketing and Spanish major from St. Charles, Illinois, each earned third-place awards.
• Audrey Bouland won first place in the Perfect Pitch Competition while Jake Lewandowski, a marketing major from St. Charles, Illinois, took third place.
• Samantha Rennie, a marketing and general management major from Janesville, and Molly Anderson, a marketing major from Oshkosh, each took second-place awards in the Marketing Strategy Competition, while Lexi Ragano and Jessica Pluemer, a marketing major from Livingston, earned third-place awards.
• Molly Anderson received a $2,000 Diversity Scholarship, and marketing major Hannah Zanow, from Monticello, received a $1,000 Social Impact Scholarship.
• UW-Whitewater won the Best Social Impact Video and the Giving Tuesday competition, and took sixth place overall in the Sabre Competition.
• The AMA Case Team earned third place overall, led by Claire Timm, a marketing and finance major from Janesville, and teammates Lexi Ragano, Jessica Pluemer, Audrey Bouland, and marketing majors Alec Arndt and Sophia Isham.
• UW-Whitewater AMA leadership includes co-presidents Lexi Ragano, Brianna Oelke, and Alec Arndt; and faculty co-advisors Kenyatta Barber, Pavan Chennamaneni, Andy Dahl, John DeGraff, and Dan Herlache.

The theme of the 2021 AMA ICC virtual conference was Redefining Possibility. UW-Whitewater has undoubtedly characterized what can be achieved by an outstanding AMA chapter.

“I have been proud to lead the chapter for the past 35 years,” said Peltier. “With 17 Chapter of the Year titles during that time — and the delight of watching students excel — what a ride it has been!”

Chapter co-president Brianna Oelke described the impact that AMA has had during her collegiate experience and career development.

“AMA has been a huge part of my collegiate career, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It provides so many real-life experiences that a classroom just can’t give. It also gives students many opportunities to travel and build their network while showing off their skills to future employers.”

Oelke will be joining PepsiCo in Dallas, Texas, as a sales management associate after graduation.

The AMA International Collegiate Conference is geared toward undergraduate marketing students looking to learn from industry professionals about careers and cutting-edge marketing and sales practices. It is the premier event for professional development, career advice, competitions, networking and fun.

(Submission by volunteer Marjorie Stoneman)  A gaggle of geese braved busy roads from the UCC Congregational Church to the lakefront on Monday, with mom and dad guiding the way.  Over roads, through yards, and hopping the railroad tracks, the family of six reached their destination safely.

WALWORTH COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ACCEPTING WALK-INS FOR COVID-19 VACCINE

(ELKHORN, WI): Beginning April 28, 2021, Walworth County Public Health will welcome walk-ins for COVID-19 vaccines. Walk-ins are welcome this week on Wednesday, April 28^th and Thursday, April 29th from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., while supplies last. PLEASE NOTE: Because Walworth County’s current vaccine supply is the Moderna 2-dose vaccine series, anyone who schedules an appointment is required to be 18 years or older, as well as live, work or study in Wisconsin.

Future walk-in clinic dates and times will be posted to the Walworth County Public Health website, https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/896/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information, and Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WalCoDHHS/.

Organization-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics will also soon be offered. If your organization is interested in an on-site vaccination clinic, please complete the inquiry form on our website at https://www.co.walworth.wi.us/896/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information.

For information, resources, and data related to COVID-19 in Walworth County, please visit the Walworth County website. Questions may also be sent to walcoph@co.walworth.wi.us.

WHITEWATER, WI (04/27/2021)– The following students will present research at the 19^th annual UW System Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity that will be hosted virtually by UW-Whitewater April 28.

• Whitewater, WI – Benjamin Bernasek, who is studying psychology, will present on “Tweet Emotion: Verb Aspect Boosts Trump’s Engagement of Mass Audiences” as the main author.

• Whitewater, WI – Tessa Jaskolski, who is studying art, will present on “Autistic Burnout Diaries: Exploring The Process of Craftivism” as the main author.

• Whitewater, WI – Josie Hammes, who is studying psychology, will present on “Can Comfort With Uncertainty Reduce Bias and Conspiracy Beliefs? Creating an Uncertainty Mindset” as the main author.

The symposium showcases undergraduate research, creative achievement and service learning conducted or performed by students across Wisconsin during the 2020-2021 academic year. Presentations reflect diverse fields of study, including the humanities, fine arts and biological, physical and social sciences. Undergraduate research is considered a high impact practice. Jalal Nawash, director of Undergraduate Research at UW-Whitewater, said “Research opens doors of opportunity, lighting up a path for your future.”

Along with the research presentations, the day’s events will include panel discussions on graduate school, professional school and marketing undergraduate research experience to potential employers after graduation. Presented virtually due to the pandemic, the symposium is open to the public. For more information on how to attend the symposium, visit: https://www.uww.edu/urp/events/uw-system-symposium.

WHITEWATER, WIS – The Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Annual
Member Meeting & Awards Presentation virtually on Thursday, April 29th at 6:00 p.m. While the
hope was to host our first in-person event since November 2019, we made the necessary
choice to go virtual.

During this event we will be reviewing 2020, sharing the State of the Chamber with attendees,
communicating our post-pandemic vision and focus, and recognizing a few individuals and
businesses for their graceful efforts to keep Whitewater moving forward over the past year. We
think that Whitewater deserves a chance to celebrate making it through 2020 and we want the
community to celebrate with us.

The Chamber is an organization dedicated to helping Whitewater thrive and every member of
the community is important to what we do. We would be thrilled to have interested members
of the community join us for this important event and learn a little about what we do.

If you are interested in attending the event, please go to the event page on our website to
register (https://bit.ly/32lUHkU). For more information about this event or anything Chamber
related please contact Kellie Carper, Exec. Director at (262) 473-4005.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Bulk pick up in the City of Whitewater will take place on each Thursday in the month of May:

~ May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27~

• These bulk pick up days are for garbage or recycling items that are too large to fit in the toters. This does not include yard waste, construction materials, hazardous materials or electronics (including TVs).
• Electronic recycling is scheduled for May 22, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., in Lot B (Cravath Lakefront). Additional information will be forthcoming.
• Place all large items including furniture, carpeting, large metal, large cardboard boxes (emptied and flattened) and appliances 6 ft. away from, not in front of, or next to the toters.
• Small, non-recycle items should be placed in a trash bag.
• Small items such as automotive batteries, tires (2 per home per month), drain oil (in sealed 1-5-gallon container) should also be 6 ft. away from the toters.
• Extra paper or bulk recycling should be bagged in clear plastic bags and placed at the curb away from the toters.
• Solid waste containers, recycling containers and bulk items should not be placed at the collection point sooner than 4:00 p.m. on the day before the collection day.
• Solid waste containers, recycling containers or bulk items should not remain at the curb line after 9:00 a.m. on the day after the scheduled collection time.

For additional pick-up information or removal of TVs, please contact John’s Disposal at 473-4700 for current disposal rates.

More information can be found on the City’s website under Chapter 8.28 – Refuse and Recyclables:

More information regarding John’s Disposal’s services in Whitewater can be found at: https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/231/Johns-Disposal-Service

Brad Marquardt, P.E.
Public Works Director
City of Whitewater

As was previously reported, Lakeview Principal David Brokopp will become the next Superintendent of the Bangor School District on July 1, 2021.

From the Lakeview Family Connection Newsletter dated April 22, 2021:

“Mr. Brokopp has served as the Principal at Lakeview Elementary School for the last 11 years. He has also filled the roles of District Transportation Officer and District Safety Coordinator. Currently, Mr. Brokopp is enrolled in the educational leadership and policy analysis executive Ph.D. cohort through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has completed his superintendent certification and anticipates completing his Ph.D. later this fall.

Mr. Brokopp and his family have been at the heart of our Lakeview family for many years. Mr. Brokopp is a welcoming presence to anyone that enters the building. He is an incredible leader, but it is his dedication to our families, students, and staff that makes his leadership extra special.

Mr. Brokopp is often seen at the front door greeting students at the beginning of the day and wishing them well at the end of the day. He is in the STEAM center building projects with kids, partaking in all-school assemblies, and enjoying PTA family fun events. He is behind the grill, making food for families at Open House, for teachers during teacher appreciation week, and feeds the whole school lunch at Natureland.

Students enjoy reading him a book, making him a picture, throwing a football with him at recess, seeking comfort, and sharing their joys with him every day. Mr. Brokopp provides guidance, support, humor, and a helping hand. He truly has the health, safety, and happiness of everyone at Lakeview in the center of his heart, and that is what we will remember the most.

Lakeview will greatly miss our Leaping Lizard Leader. We wish Mr. Brokopp the best as he moves into this exciting new position!”

(Young Auditorium submission) Young Auditorium’s 2021 Big Read project comes to a close with an important immigration-themed presentation courtesy of Old World Wisconsin.  Especially fitting for this year’s Big Read literary selection, The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang, let the team at Old World Wisconsin teach you and your family about the local immigration experiences… both past and present. Register today for a free presentation of ‘Immigrant Story’, Saturday, May 1^st at 10:00 a.m.

Why do people leave everything they know with only a few possessions to start a new life in Wisconsin? Historical and contemporary immigration stories help unpack this question as you explore immigration through an immigrant trunk, folk art, and firsthand accounts.

This program is being presented virtually in conjunction with Young Auditorium’s 2021 NEA BIG READ. An Arts initiative in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA BIG READ seeks to broaden our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. This year’s BIG READ novel, The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang, pays tribute to thousands of Hmong families made the journey from the war-torn jungles of Laos to the overcrowded refugee camps of Thailand and onward to America.

TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE VIRTUAL EVENT:

Online registration forms for all BIG READ 2021 events can be found at https://youngauditorium.wordpress.com/. All registrants will receive an exclusive link to access the virtual presentation.

A major thank you to our Big Read Event partners:

Hoard Historical Museum	The Book Teller	Rotary Botanical Gardens	Old World Wisconsin
Fairhaven Lecture Series	UW-Whitewater Children’s Center	American Association of University Women	UW-Whitewater Philanthropy & Alumni

For information on all Young Auditorium BIG READ 2021 events, including details about the author and book selection, and a complete listing of community and library partners, please visit: www.youngauditorium.wordpress.com.

Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.

Arts Midwest promotes creativity, nurtures cultural leadership, and engages people in meaningful arts experiences, bringing vitality to Midwest communities and enriching people’s lives. Based in Minneapolis, Arts Midwest connects the arts to audiences throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One of six non-profit regional arts organizations in the United States, Arts Midwest’s history spans more than 35 years. For more information, please visit artsmidwest.org.

Funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Wisconsin Humanities strengthens the roots of community life through educational and cultural programs that inspire civic participation and individual imagination.