News

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.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the ADRC of Walworth County. The Banner apologizes for the late posting of this announcement. Please call to ensure that space is still available.

Real Health Talk: ADRC of Walworth County Hosts Mind Over Matter Workshop

For women, aging well sometimes means confronting some inconvenient (and often embarrassing) truths: Half of all women age 50 or older will experience incontinence at some point in their lives. The Mind over Matter: Healthy Bowels, Healthy Bladder program, offered by the Walworth County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is a small group, community-based program proven to improve bladder symptoms for 71% of participants, and bowel symptoms for over 55%.

In three, two-hour sessions held every other week for one month, Mind over Matter gives participants strategies for reducing incontinence. This interactive workshop engages women to work together to set and meet personalized goals and is led by a trained female facilitator. The workshop is designed specifically for women age 50 or older, who live independently, have experienced bladder/bowel issues, or are interested in preventing them. Participants can expect to leave with an understanding of how muscles work and exercises that can reduce incontinence. Participants will build confidence through goal setting and know when to seek the expertise of a health professional.

Mind over Matter will be held on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., February 27 to March 26, at the East Troy Area Intergenerational Community Center, 2040 Beulah Avenue, East Troy. The workshop has a suggested donation of $10. 

For questions, or to register for the program, contact Chetney Blaszczyk RDN, CD at (262) 741-3309.

About the ADRC of Walworth County: The ADRC provides information and assistance to older and disabled adults, their friends, family, caregivers, and the public. We can assist by evaluating your current needs and providing options available to meet the needs of your situation. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/376/Aging-Disability-Resource-Center.

Rehearsal photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The Whitewater High School (WHS) Players will be presenting Thornton Wilder’s (who was born in Madison, Wisconsin) American classic, “Our Town,” Feb. 29 – Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. and Mar. 3 at 2 p.m. in the newly named James M. Stewart Auditorium located at 534 S. Elizabeth Street.

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.

In the true spirit of “Our Town,” the WHS Players has partnered with the Whitewater Historical Society to present “Streets of Whitewater.”  A detailed collection of historic photographs, rarely-seen artifacts, and stories of the early days of Whitewater will be on display before each performance.

The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) invites the community to the dedication of the high school’s auditorium to honor WUSD school board member James (Jim) M. Stewart on Saturday, March 2, at 5:30 p.m., before the performance. 

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion regarding Arboretum signage, Discussion and update regarding tree tags, Discussion and possible approval of Territorial Tree Playground ideas, and Presentation and Discussion from Jaime Wiegel regarding the Whitewater Effigy Mounds.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
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Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
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Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library, 534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda: 221.1, Recruitment and Appointment of Administrators and Coordinators; 222.1, Administrator Contracts

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Closed session – 7:00 p.m. – Open Session
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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6:30 p.m. via Zoom Online – CLOSED SESSION to consider the findings and conclusions of a personnel investigation concerning a specific previous support staff member and to discuss the conduct of a specific certified staff member.
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City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
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Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
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Editor’s note: The following press release was received from The Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc.

The Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc. is dedicated to preserving and expanding the legacy of Lorine Niedecker, a preeminent 20th century Wisconsin poet. Our organization offers access to research archives and educational materials, and publishes The Solitary Plover, a semiannual newsletter, and What Region, a monograph series. More information about this organization can be found at https://lorineniedecker.org/

The Friends of Lorine Niedecker will host a reading by the poets published in the Winter 2024 Solitary Plover on Thursday, February 29 at 6:30 p.m. CST.

We invite you to join us for this virtual reading conducted on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

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Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The agenda for the Whitewater Unified School District Legislative Breakfast was as follows:

1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

• A. Introduce Wisconsin State Legislators and Whitewater School Board Members – Larry Kachel, School Board President

2. DISTRICT UPDATE

• A. Welcome – Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent

3. SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIORITIES & PROPOSED LEGISLATION

• A. Mental Health Supports & Special Education Funding – Dr. Lanora Heim, Director of Pupil Services
• B. 2023 Senate Bill 973 – Dr. Lanora Heim, Director of Pupil Services
• C. Multilingual Services Funding – Melania Argueta Borchert, Multilingual Services Coordinator
• D. State Funding for Post-Secondary Options for Students – Brent Mansky, High School Principal

• E. ACT 20 Timeframe/Implementation – Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching and Learning

4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Members of the Whitewater High School FIRST Robotics Competition Team Ferradermis advocated for their program to state officials at the Wisconsin State Capitol in hopes of expanding the team and the opportunities available to students.

Organized by FIRST, a global youth-serving nonprofit organization advancing STEM education in K-12 schools, the event featured several teams and groups with similar interests in promoting science and technology programs to lawmakers. 

Seven WHS students led meetings with senators and their representatives at the Capitol Rotunda to discuss the costs of supporting a program like theirs and how large the return on investment is for participants. In an interview, Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Ferradermis team captain, told WMTV-15 News that public speaking, community outreach, and building partnerships with sponsors are skills students could only learn and practice through the robotics program. 

“We have classes where we need to make presentations, but nothing prepares you for this level of outreach unless you’re actually doing it,” Cosette said.

The program costs approximately $70,000 annually, including the cost of the team’s robot-building supplies and transportation to competitions. This money is largely raised through grants and sponsorships, but by lobbying with lawmakers for more funding, Ferradermis is hoping to expand its team with more female participants. The team also aims to provide access to the program to underrepresented communities in Wisconsin. 

“This was such a great experience for the team,” said Laura Masbruch, Ferradermis team advisor and coach. “Our students spoke with actual state senators, some for 45 minutes, about this club that has really transformed for some into a passion. I’m proud of how the team represented WHS and our community, and all the hard work they continue to demonstrate in our program.”

To learn more about Ferradermis or to become a sponsor, please visit www.ferradermis.org. 

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Department of Theatre and Dance.

Set in the vibrant nightlife of 1940s Chicago, “Pal Joey” follows the captivating journey of Joey Evans, a charismatic yet flawed nightclub performer who is determined to make it big. 

With a dream in his heart and a knack for seduction, Joey embarks on a whirlwind adventure, navigating a treacherous web of romance, power struggles, and the pursuit of his own dreams.

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Book by John O’Hara
Directed by Bruce Cohen

“Pal Joey” will be performed by UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Barnett Theatre Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 29-March 2. Friday & Saturday, 2/23-24 @ 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2/25 @ 2:00 p.m., Thursday & Friday, 2/29 – 3/1, 7:30 p.m., Saturday 3/2, 2:00 p.m.

“Pal Joey,” written in 1940, is one of many Rodgers and Hart musicals to run on Broadway. It tells the story of a young nightclub performer named Joey Evans with an ambitious dream of one day owning his own nightclub, and seemingly no limits to what he will do to achieve this desire. His large goals and manipulative tactics get suddenly entangled with lust and jealousy when he begins deceptively charming women and letting his selfishness blind him.

UW-Whitewater’s 2024 production encapsulates the show’s unique and complex character relationships and gives new life to a beloved 1940s classic.

This play contains themes and theatricalized depictions that some may find troubling. It is intended for adult audiences and mature sensibilities.

Sarah Keller from Whitewater, WI, a Music major, is one of many students involved in the outstanding production of “Pal Joey” at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Keller will play the role of Janet / Understudy Vera Simpson, as a part of the Cast.

“It has been a pleasure to work on the show,” said show director Bruce Cohen, an associate professor of theatre and dance. “It is the most dance-intensive musical that we’ve mounted in the seven years I’ve been here at UW-Whitewater. The students are having a blast.”

Cohen goes on to explain the careful thought that went into the selection process for a show of this nature.

“This show presents a higher degree of triple-threat – singing, dancing, and acting – performance skills than many contemporary shows. This is so important for our students to have experience with.”

Students involved in the show have expressed a strong sense of pride in their strongly-built community.

“I have found that this cast has a lot of theatre majors and non-theatre majors and through that experience, [it] makes the diversity of the cast and perspectives very eye-opening,” said Caitlyn Dickman, who plays the role of Linda English in the production. “Everyone has learned to grow together and become one as a family in bringing this story to life!”

Tickets are available in advance through Ticket Services.  Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for age 65+, $13 for under age 18. There is a $2 per ticket surcharge when purchased at the door.

UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre/Dance produces five shows per academic year. For more information, visit uww.edu/theatre.

It’s Movie Awards Season and Seniors in the Park will be presenting many nominated and winning films over the coming months!

“Maestro”

Tuesday, February 27, 1 p.m.

(Biography/Drama/History/Music/Romance)

2 hours, 9 minutes (2023)

A love story chronicling the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife/actress Felicia Cohn. Written, directed, and starring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan.

Many Golden Globe nominations and much Oscar buzz for this film. 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/