Editor’s note: Story and photos of a dress rehearsal are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
The Whitewater High School (WHS) Players will be presenting Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” Feb. 29 – March 2 at 7 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. in the James M. Stewart Auditorium.
General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling the box office at 262-472-8178.
“Our Town” (1938)is considered to be Wilder’s best work for which he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is centered on Grover’s Corners, a fictional town in New Hampshire between 1901 and 1913.
Jim McCulloch serves as director and Kat Dunham as technical director. Cast members include Deven Bawden, Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, Grace Coleman, Estaban Diaz-Gallegos, David Enns, Haley Keltesch, Marina Linos, Kara Long, Brooke Mason, Sam Nickelsburg, Hayleigh Pond, A’lani Ross, Josey Selby, Taylor Speerbrecher, Greg Stewart, Alex Sullivan, Ava Van Daele, and Willow Vogelzang.
Students supporting the production in a variety of capacities include Rae Breisath, Alexsa Cansino-Pena, Emerson Dunham, Ace Hudec, Gabi Kirley, Taiya Kolb, Kara Long, Kayla Mikos, Miles Nickelsburg, Ava Nygren, Joshua Nygren, Payton Peacock, Lucille Troxel, Samantha Van Daele and Matt Zingsheim.
Sophomore Devin Bawden plays multiple roles, including Joe Crowell, whom he describes as “a jock, playing baseball, and having a good aim” – very different from his last role as Glenn Coco, a “nerd and mathlete,” in “Mean Girls, High School Version.”
Admitting that preparing for the role of Joe Crowell has been surprisingly easy, Bawden said that whereas Joe Crowell is an athlete involved in sports, he himself is “chill and part of the Drama Club.” Bawden also shared, “One thing about being an actor in ‘Our Town’ that can apply to real life is having confidence.”
The WHS Players has partnered with the Whitewater Historical Society to present “Streets of Whitewater,” including a detailed collection of historic photographs, artifacts, and stories of the early days of Whitewater that will be on display before each performance.
The Whitewater Unified School District invites the community to the dedication of the high school’s auditorium to honor school board member James (Jim) M. Stewart on Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m., before the performance.
The City of Whitewater is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the Whitewater WindUp, a business pitch competition aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth within our vibrant community.
Whitewater WindUp offers aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to win their very own downtown storefront, along with a year’s rent and renovations. We encourage all individuals with innovative business ideas to participate and make their mark on downtown Whitewater. Even if you’re not looking to start a business, you can still contribute by voting for the winner and helping shape the future of our local business landscape.
The Whitewater WindUp applications are open now and close on April 20th at 11:59 p.m. Throughout the competition, participants will have access to workshops focused on finance, marketing, ideation, and pitch submission, providing valuable guidance and support for developing their business ideas. Submissions will be evaluated, and the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite business pitch on April 22nd.
“As a community, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship and the positive impact it can have on our local economy,” said Taylor Zeinert, interim Economic Development Director for the City of Whitewater. “We are excited to see the creative and innovative ideas that will be brought forth through the Whitewater WindUp competition. This is a unique opportunity for individuals to turn their dreams into reality and contribute to the growth of our community.”
The City of Whitewater is committed to fostering a strong and thriving business community. We value the input and support of our residents and look forward to the positive impact that the Whitewater WindUp will have on our downtown area. For any inquiries, please contact Bonnie Miller, administrative assistant for economic development, at 262-473-0149.
Cookies are still $5/box and we have 9 varieties available: Thin Mints, Caramel Delights, Peanut Butter Patties, Adventurefuls, Lemonades, Toast-yays, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Trefoils (fka Shortbreads), and Gluten Free Caramel Chocolate Chip ($6). Sorry, there will be no Raspberry Rallies this year.
Our opening day is packed with opportunities to support us in and around Whitewater and we have 19 Girl Scouts selling this year.
Look for us Saturday March 2nd: 8 am-11 am & 3 pm- 6 pm Whitewater Walmart 10 am-4 pm Downtown Whitewater (150 W Main St) 11 am-2 pm Texas Roadhouse, Janesville 12:30 pm-5:30 pm at Whitewater Cinemas (inside the lobby)
We will also be at The Sweetspot Cafe, Monday Evenings from 4-7 pm, and at Whitewater Cinemas nearly every weekend.
Our Troop would like to extend a huge thank you to Elena & Jake Gildemeister as well as all the other local businesses that give us the opportunity to share their retail space.
If your local business would like to host a booth, or schedule a one time visit from one of our “cookie wagons” please reach out soon to gstroop7639@gmail.com
Our proceeds this year will be going towards a troop trip to The Kalahari Resort, camping at Camp Brandenburg, a community garden project in collaboration with The Community Space, helping to make some improvements to our local dog park, as well as many other outings and learning opportunities.
Jr Whippets Football registration for the Spring 7-on-7 Passing League ends March 4th, 2024. Register here: https://sportswwusd.sportngin.com/register/form/965297832 or go to the School District Website/Athletics/Middle School Registration and look for the 7-on-7 tab to register. Registration is free and there is no cost to participate.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the first and second rounds of the 2024 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.
Location: Kachel Gymnasium, Williams Center
Dates: Friday-Saturday, March 1-2, 2024
Regional Webpage: Includes team information, links to live streams and live stats, and additional information
Schedule:
Game 1: Friday, March 1 – 5:15 pm – Millikin vs. Willamette
Game 2: Friday, March 1 – 7:45 pm – UWW vs. Minnesota Morris
Game 3: Saturday, March 2 – 7:30 pm – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Parking: Parking is free of charge. Fans should park in Lots 11 (Williams Center) or 24 (Perkins Stadium)
Tickets: This event is cash only! $15 for adults, $10 for students. There is an ATM available near the entrance for convenience. (Doors open 60 minutes prior to tipoff)
Kacie Carollo, a native of Whitewater, studying Integrated Science and Business at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, was one of three members of the Warhawk women’s basketball team who garnered All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference accolades for the 2023-24 season.
Senior forward Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) has been selected as the WIAC Player of the Year for the third consecutive season to headline a contingent of three Warhawks named All-WIAC this season. Junior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) added First Team and All-Defensive Team honors while junior forward Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) received honorable mention recognition.
Grundahl is the first women’s basketball player in conference history to be named the league’s top player three times. The feat has been accomplished just one other time in WIAC basketball history with Mike Ratliff (UWEC) earning the honor on the men’s side from 1969-72. This season, Grundahl has paced the Warhawks breaking numerous records along the way. She became the UWW all-time leading scorer in the second game of the season. On February 14, she became the all-time leading scorer in the WIAC, surpassing a mark that had stood since 1995. Her 39 points against UW-La Crosse broke the UW-Whitewater single game scoring record and is the most by a player in the league this season. Grundahl leads the WIAC in scoring this season averaging 20.2 points per game while adding 2.1 steals per outing, ranked second in the league. She adds top 12 marks in total points (525), rebounds per game (6.2), field goal percentage (.520), free throw percentage (.781) and assists per game (1.9).
Carollo is now a three-time All-WIAC honoree and two-time All-Defensive Team selection with the pair of honors in 2024. She ranks second in the WIAC in rebounding, averaging 8.1 per game. Carollo adds 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals per outing ranked third and fourth in the league respectively. Also, one of the conference’s top scorers, Carollo’s 14.4 points per game is a top-10 mark in the league. The junior hauled in the second-most rebounds by a player in the league this season with 16 at UW-Oshkosh and tops the list for steals in a single game with six against UW-Stout.
Hildebrandt received honorable mention recognition in her first season as a Warhawk. The junior is one of the league’s top three-point shooters, hitting over 35-percent of her shots from long range. Her 1.4 blocks per game is ranked third in the WIAC this season. Hildebrandt adds top 20 marks in points per game (9.2), rebounds per game (4.7) and field goal percentage (.417).
Grundahl was also named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season. She is the fourth Warhawk to earn the honor and second under Head Coach Keri Carollo.
UW-Whitewater will host a NCAA regional for the fourth consecutive season this weekend. UWW (22-4) will open their 22nd appearance in the postseason against Minnesota Morris Friday at 7:45 p.m. in Kachel Gym.
ON YOUR FEET! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Now their story is an all-new exhilarating original musical winning the hearts of critics and audiences alike, with the Chicago Tribune declaring “IT’S A HIT!” and The New York Times cheering, “The very air in the room seems to vibrate in this undeniably crowd-pleasing musical!” ON YOUR FEET! features some of the most iconic songs of the past quarter-century, including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You,” “Conga,” “Get On Your Feet,” “Don’t Want To Lose You Now,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.” Prepare to be on your feet from start to finish!
Friday, March 1 – 7:30 p.m. – Young Auditorium, 930 W. Main Street, Whitewater.
Tickets range from $58-110. Select your seating and purchase ticket at this link. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to a $2 per ticket surcharge.
“Infectiously fun with genuine heart! If you aren’t humming a Gloria Estefan hit when you leave the theater, it might be time to check your pulse.” – Associated Press
Charlie Shilhavy, a UW-Whitewater music student from Racine, rehearses with campers for a concert on the final day of Strings Camp in the Music Department on Friday, June 23, 2023. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Universities of Wisconsin.
What started as a hobby became a lifestyle for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student Charlie Shilhavy.
“I wake up and I think about music, I go to sleep thinking about music,” said Shilhavy, who plays bass. “It’s something that brings me joy and gives me purpose – to be able to create, perform and learn. It’s hard to put it into words what it does for me. I feel like I’m on the right path following music.”
UW-Whitewater and its surrounding communities are reaping the benefits of his passion, and he will be recognized for his work by a national organization.
Shilhavy, a music major from Racine, was named the 2024 recipient of the Student Exemplary Service Award from the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) as part of the organization’s Student Chapter Awards. He will be honored at the ASTA National Conference on March 20-23 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Shilhavy is the fourth Warhawk to win the award in the last 11 years, joining Jasmyn Kosier (2020), Alexa Zakutansky (2018) and Deanne Carloni (2013).
He put in his name for the award with the encouragement of Benjamin Whitcomb, UW-Whitewater professor of music and faculty advisor to the ASTA chapter.
“I applied for it not really thinking much of it, but it was really cool to win it,” Shilhavy said. “It was nice to see recognition from the national chapter, so it means a lot to me. It makes me feel like I’m actually making a difference.”
Shilhavy has served as president of UW-Whitewater’s ASTA chapter for the last three semesters. He leads efforts by the group to promote string education and string performance on campus and in the community. The group performs for residents at nearby Fairhaven Senior Services and works with local elementary, middle and high schools to advocate for string education.
As part of Music in our Schools Month in March, Shilhavy will lead UW-Whitewater’s music ensembles out into the community to perform for students in their schools. ASTA also organizes string educational sessions and boot camps for UW-Whitewater music education majors who don’t play a string instrument, but will someday teach it.
Shilhavy also works at UW-Whitewater’s Strings Summer Camp, sharing his music acumen and wisdom with middle and high school students, and is a student staff member for the department of music.
Shilhavy plays bass for UW-Whitewater’s Chamber Orchestra and bassoon for the Whitewater Symphony Orchestra, the university’s flagship orchestra. He has been a recipient of multiple scholarships during his time as a Warhawk, including the College of Arts and Communication Scholarship and the college’s Outstanding Junior Award scholarship.
Life at UW-Whitewater didn’t start easily for Shilhavy – he came to UW-Whitewater during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was in the high school graduating class of 2020, so there wasn’t a lot going on campus when I got here, but I got introduced to the ASTA chapter,” Shilhavy said. “At the time, there’s not much we could do, but we were still creating videos of us playing and sending them to Fairhaven and around schools. It felt really good for me to do stuff like that.”
He found his niche in the department of music and ASTA, building relationships with fellow students and the faculty, a reason he pointed to for choosing from among a handful of options to attend UW-Whitewater coming out of Racine Horlick High School.
“We’re a big department, but we’re also a small department in the sense that everyone knows everyone,” Shilhavy said. “The faculty really make a point to build that relationship with their students. They’re always pushing us to be better and to explore, learn and create. It’s a really welcoming environment and it’s conducive to learning.”
Shilhavy will hold his next student recital for bass on April 20 from 1-1:30 p.m. at the Greenhill Center of the Arts. The event is free to attend and does not require a ticket for entry.
After completing his coursework this spring, Shilhavy will student teach during the fall 2024 semester and finally cross the stage to receive his degree in December — an opportunity he didn’t get as a high school student during the height of the pandemic.
He hopes to use his triple certification — which includes instrumental, choral, and general music — to land a K-through-12 teaching job and eventually earn a master’s degree.
“I want to end up in a place that needs me — a place that could use my personality, my knowledge,” Shilhavy said. “I want to make a difference for some kids and be that reason they come to school, like my band director was for me.”
A brief video by Kyle Winter with an interview and performance by Shilhavy may be viewed here.
The Student Exemplary Service Award recognizes and rewards college string students who distinguished themselves as active members and supporters of ASTA while in college. Criteria includes ASTA membership, participation in string-related activities on campus, and service and outreach for both the university and ASTA.
Other past winners of the award include students from high-profile institutions including Florida State University, the University of Colorado, Texas Tech University and others.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater High School (WHS) Consumer Home and Auto students have accomplished remarkable feats and built valuable skills during a lengthy, hands-on project.
The comprehensive wall project equipped students with theoretical understanding and allowed them to apply their learning in a practical setting. The students began with the fundamentals of construction, learning how to build and frame a 4′ by 4′ wall using 2x4s, with studs precisely spaced at 16 inches on center.
Students next cut and hung drywall on the frame and were introduced to the art of mudding both flat and corner seams. Then, they delved into electrical work and, after installing a one-way light switch, finished their project with paint, using proper technique.
“I am so proud of the hard work the students put into this extensive project. We spent extra time honing techniques in the hands-on steps that they will likely use in their own homes in the future,” said Mr. Justin Buntrock, WHS Automotive instructor. “My favorite part is watching the excitement in the students when they flip the light switch they installed themselves. This project always brings a sense of accomplishment and confidence for the students.”
The success of this semester-long endeavor underscores the effectiveness of experiential learning in preparing students for practical challenges they may encounter in the future. The Consumer Home and Auto program at WHS continues to provide students with a dynamic and engaging education that goes beyond the classroom, preparing them for success in both their personal and professional lives.
