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Three Sponsors Renew Title Sponsorship of Discover Whitewater Race

Whitewater Unified School District Renews Title Sponsorship for 2020 DWS

WHITEWATER — June 19, 2020 — The Greater Whitewater Committee Inc.’s 2020 Discover Whitewater Series (DWS) is excited to announce that the Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) will once be a title sponsor for the eighth year in a row. The Whitewater High School has provided the DWS with a location for the start and finish to the race since 2013 and continues to be a crucial part of this event.

“As the new District Administrator of the Whitewater Unified School District, I am discovering that Whitewater is an incredible place to live and work,” said District Administrator Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated group of individuals devoting hours to organizing this race so that we can feature the great aspects of our city, school district, and university. The community is supportive of our school district and we enjoy being able to highlight the great things happening in our schools.”

Many of the race’s volunteers come from students and faculty within the WUSD.

This year’s race is scheduled for Sept. 20, 2020 with the goal of hosting a fun and safe athletic event while building a stronger local community. To achieve this, DWS donates all profits of the race to five local charity partners.

“I am proud to be associated with the Discover Whitewater Series and I am looking forward to demonstrating how we can run a safe and healthy premier athletic event demonstrating all the wonderful sights there are to see in Whitewater,” DWS Race Director Dawson Miller said.

The DWS team is incredibly excited to see what all the positive change that will come from this sponsorship with the WUSD.  Be sure to check out the DWS’ new guidelines for race day at https://runwhitewater.com/stillrunning.

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City of Whitewater Recommits as a DWS Title Sponsor for Eighth Year

The City of Whitewater has recommitted for the eighth year in a row as a title sponsor for the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon and 5K, scheduled for Sept. 20, 2020.

Since the first DWS in 2013, the team has worked alongside the City of Whitewater to create a memorable race day experience for all participants. DWS would not be what it is today without the city’s continuous support throughout the past seven years. The City of Whitewater assists DWS by providing public safety, parking, and volunteers.

“Public safety is the number one priority of DWS on race day,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “DWS is extremely thankful for the city’s annual contribution and their direct aid in DWS’s operations throughout the race day weekend. The police, public works and city staff are just amazing in their support of our race; we could not run this huge event without them.”

DWS provides an ideal opportunity to help promote the City of Whitewater. By creating a racecourse that highlights many of the amazing features in the city, race participants from all over can see the wonderful and unique aspects of Whitewater. The course goes past the school district, UW-Whitewater, and many different businesses, creating an upbeat and scenic route for race participants to enjoy.

“This event is an opportunity to showcase the Whitewater community and pulling it off each year is truly a community effort,” Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper said. “We see volunteers from all facets of the community stepping up every year to help make this event a success. DWS continues to be a key opportunity to welcome visitors and showcase the best of the Whitewater community each year. The City of Whitewater is pleased to continue its support of DWS in 2020.”

The City of Whitewater’s sponsorship also helps DWS’s efforts in supporting the community. All proceeds from the race are donated to five local Whitewater charities: Bethel House, J-Hawk Aquatic Club, Whitewater LEADS, Whitewater Unified School District and Working for Whitewater’s Wellness.

In the past seven years, DWS has been able to raise $183,500 for our five charity partners.

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Fort HealthCare recommits as a title sponsor of DWS


WHITEWATER— April 29, 2020 — The Greater Whitewater Committee Inc. is pleased to announce that this year marks Fort HealthCare’s eighth continuous year of being a title sponsor for the Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): HalfMarathon and 5K, scheduled for Sept. 20, 2020.

Fort HealthCare’s mission is to improve the community’s health and well-being. They recognize early detection and
wellness as the leading course of action for managing diseases.DWS shares Fort HealthCare’s ideology that activity and fitness are preventive measures in fighting most illnesses. Fort HealthCare promotes having an active lifestyle within their organization by encouraging their staff to participate in the annual DWS.

Both Fort HealthCare and DWS are following updates from the CDC and Governor Tony Ever’s office closely.

“Fort HealthCare is proud to be an eight year sponsor of such a well-run event for our community,” said a Fort
HealthCare representative. “Partners like the City of Whitewater help in leading our mission and vision of being the
healthiest community in Wisconsin. In this time of unrest we all need to take good care of ourselves and our loved
ones.”

DWS is appreciative of Fort HealthCare’s continued support and for their efforts helping slow the spread of COVID-19. “The DWS and the local community’s health resources wouldn’t be the same without Fort HealthCare,” DWS Executive Director Jeffery Knight said. “DWS is extremely grateful for Fort HealthCare’s sponsorship and is passionate about working alongside them to support our community in these uncertain times.”

Citizen Survey About Policing in Whitewater and Potential Police Reforms: Not Authored by the Department, but They Encourage Participation

From the Whitewater Police Department Facebook page: “Please see the below. We did not author this survey nor did we have any input on it. We have been requesting to meet with its author(s). We believe that it is a well-written survey and we encourage our Facebook page followers and visitors to take it. Also, we assume that the survey is focused solely on us and not on any of the other three law enforcement agencies who occasionally assist us with city policing. Thank you.”

Click here for the survey.

New Book at Storywalk: “Dreamers”

The Storywalk at First United Methodist Church has a new story on Sunday.  Come to 145 S. Prairie St. in Whitewater and read the book “Dreamers” by Yuyi Morales.  Both English and Spanish texts are provided.  Take a walk around the outside of the church and read a book, a safe way to practice social distancing and enjoy a new book.  Hope to see you there!

(From the description on Amazon) We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers.

Yuyi Morales brought her hopes, her passion, her strength, and her stories with her, when she came to the United States in 1994 with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn’t come empty-handed.

Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It’s the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it’s a promise that you can make better tomorrows.  

This lovingly-illustrated picture book memoir looks at the myriad gifts migrants bring with them when they leave their homes. It’s a story about family. And it’s a story to remind us that we are all dreamers, bringing our own strengths wherever we roam. Beautiful and powerful at any time but given particular urgency as the status of our own Dreamers becomes uncertain, this is a story that is both topical and timeless.

“Dealing with Anxiety During These Stressful Times” Free WebEx Event Hosted by CEC

The UW-W Community Engagement Center in Whitewater brings you another WebEx Event, “Dealing with Anxiety During These Stressful Times,” on July 10, from 12:00-12:45 p.m. This may also be available in Spanish at a future time if there is an interest. 

To join and view presentation, please click here. Event Number: 133 551 7298, Password: Stress01

Audio only: +1-855-749-4750, Access code: 133 551 7298

Please note that if anyone has issues with the hyperlink, or would like a calendar invite, please email CEC@uww.edu for the direct link.

Photo Gallery of WHS Graduation Activities

Thank you to Tom Ganser for providing photos from the Whitewater High School Drive-Through Graduation Celebration on Saturday, June 6, as well as still photos from the Virtual Graduation Ceremony on Sunday, June 7. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

Seniors and their families had the opportunity to walk across an outdoor stage to receive their diploma during staggered times on Saturday, June 6. Parents then had the option to join their graduate on stage for a photo. Thank you again to the SweetSpot for providing individual cakes for each participant.

A virtual ceremony was shown on Sunday, June 7, at the time of the originally scheduled ceremony. If you have not had a chance to view it, it can be seen at https://youtu.be/an2YCAyh6FU

Whitewater Resident Receives Degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Whitewater Resident Leif Sahyun Receives Degree

WORCESTER, MA (06/25/2020)– Late this spring, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrated the Class of 2020 with a socially distanced commencement season in place of its traditional 152nd Commencement exercises. Leif Sahyun of Whitewater, Wis., was awarded a bachelor of science degree in computer science with high distinction.

Since the Class of 2020 was unable to receive diplomas in person this year, they instead received personal commencement packages, mailed to their home, that that included their diplomas, commencement regalia, and other items to celebrate their successes, as well as a congratulatory video message from President Laurie Leshin. In total, WPI awarded 1,043 bachelor’s degrees, 674 master’s degrees, and 54 doctoral degrees.

In her video message, Leshin made the traditional Commencement walk to the WPI’s iconic Earle Bridge, which students walk over during New Student Orientation and then again when they graduate. She then stopped, turned, and told graduates, “You should be here. But make no mistake: Today is still your day. You’ve walked this bridge together once, and you will walk it again. I can’t wait to see you do just that. Until then, it’s my honor to wait for you.”

WPI plans to hold in-person undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies in the future, at a date to be announced.

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

WPI, a global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded in 1865 on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. Recognized by the National Academy of Engineering with the 2016 Bernard M. Gordon Prize for Innovation in Engineering and Technology Education, WPI’s pioneering project-based curriculum engages undergraduates in solving important scientific, technological, and societal problems throughout their education and at more than 50 project centers around the world. WPI offers more than 50 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs across 14 academic departments in science, engineering, technology, business, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts. Its faculty and students pursue groundbreaking research to meet ongoing challenges in health and biotechnology; robotics and the internet of things; advanced materials and manufacturing; cyber, data, and security systems; learning science; and more. www.wpi.edu

William R. Miles, 97, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Fairhaven Senior Living

William R. Miles, 97, of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Fairhaven Senior Living.

Bill was born in Elkhorn, WI on May 26, 1923 to Reuben and Norma (Green) Miles. He was a graduate of Whitewater College High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He served as a lieutenant in the Army during World War II. He was also a member of the National Guard. Bill worked for the State of Wisconsin as a public health officer and was a member of the Walworth County Board for 25 years. On May 26, 1961 Bill married Dorothy L. Kitzman. She preceded him in death on September 22, 2008. He was a member of First English Lutheran Church. FB enjoyed traveling, volunteering for veterans’ groups, visiting casinos and having a whiskey.

He is survived by his daughters Darcy Partin of Florida and Becky Anton of Palmyra, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, brothers David, Ray and Jim.

Per Bill’s request there will be no services. Memorials in Bill’s name may be made to First English Lutheran Church, Whitewater. “Raise a glass to kindness and fly the flag.”

Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater is assisting the family.

UW-Whitewater Helps Garner MAP Fund Grant for Native American Composer Brent Michael Davids

UW-Whitewater’s Robert Gehrenbeck and Rebecca Mueller

(Whitewater, WI) UW-Whitewater is proud to announce the award of a MAP (Multi-Arts Production) Fund grant for Native American composer Brent Michael Davids. The grant application was coauthored by Davids and UW-Whitewater Associate Professor of Music, Robert Gehrenbeck, with assistance from Rebecca Mueller in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. UW-Whitewater will serve as David’s official sponsor for the MAP grant, which totals $12,500. 

Davids is one of the nation’s most celebrated Native American composers, with a career spanning forty-three years, including commissions from the Joffrey Ballet, the Kronos Quartet, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Chanticleer. An enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Davids currently resides on the Mohican reservation in northern Wisconsin, between Green Bay and Wausau.

The MAP Fund grant will allow Davids to continue to compose a large work for singers, choir, and orchestra, Requiem for America: Singing for the Invisible People . Begun in 2016, this 90-minute,​ secular ‘anti-Requiem,’ gives voice to America’s invisible people: the American Indians. An interdisciplinary performance work, REQUIEM FOR AMERICA places indigenous voices front and center, with a mission of outreach and community-building that is central to each performance. REQUIEM FOR AMERICA aims to shine a light on historic injustices but at the same time to model and to create solutions in the present, by building collaborative relationships with indigenous artists throughout the country. What makes this project unique is the recruitment of Native American singers, from local tribes and individuals, to perform center stage. As the nucleus of the work in performance, indigenous singers embody the interaction between native and non-native musicians and communities that is at the heart of this project.

A growing consortium of national partners are committing to perform REQUIEM, with the ultimate goal of presenting the work in every state of the nation, collaborating with the local tribal communities for every performance. Each time REQUIEM is performed, the musicians, American Indians and audiences will cultivate new friendships. By joining forces, each performance hopes to build good relations with, and foster greater insights from, America’s first inhabitants.

Additional funding will be needed in order to mount the premiere performance of REQUIEM, which is anticipated to occur in 2022 in Madison, with participation by UW-Whitewater students and faculty. Joining the collegiate and professional musicians on stage will be the Medicine Bear Singers, an intertribal drum circle from northern Wisconsin, and four operatic soloists. For more information about this powerful project, including opportunities for donations in support of its mission, visit www.RequiemForAmerica.com. 

Brent Michael Davids has visited UW-Whitewater and collaborated with Associate Professor Gehrenbeck numerous times over the past ten years. In 2016 Gehrenbeck, the UW-Whitewater Chamber Singers, and the Medicine Bear Singers premiered “Sanctus: Singing for Power” from REQUIEM. The following year Gehrenbeck commissioned Davids to write Singing for Water in support of Native American Water Protectors. Last year, Gehrenbeck and the Chamber Singers performed Davids’ Native American Suite on their international tour to Germany and Poland.

The Multi-Arts Production (MAP) Fund is one of the leading US supporters of diversity in the performing arts. In 2020, MAP awarded $1.3 million in grants to 171 performing artists and arts organizations. “In a world of pervasive injustice, dreaming is a privilege. The MAP Fund has shared the responsibility of building a more just arts practice by centering artists’ imaginations and supporting their capacity to dream, enact, and construct their work for more than 30 years. Please join us in celebrating the spirit and tenacity of performing artists who continue to transform our world in revolutionary ways” (https://mapfundblog.org/map-blog/).