Editor’s note: The following announcement was provided by Karen Tordera.
WHS junior, A’lani Ross, performed at the Overture Center in Madison with the Wisconsin School Music Association Honors Choir on Thursday evening, October 26. A’lani was chosen last February to perform in the Honors Treble Choir under the direction of Dr. Julie Skadsem. The concert was held in Overture Hall along with the Honor Mixed Choir. Congratulations to A’lani on a fantastic performance!
Editor’s note: The following invitation was submitted by Kris McMenamin, USMC Veteran, Coordinator Military & Veteran Students Services
We would like to invite members from the community to join us for UW-Whitewater Veteran’s Day Ceremony will be held on Friday, November 10th at 11:00 a.m. at the James R. Connor University Center’s Old Main Ballroom (275). Visitors from the community will be able to park in Lot 12 without the need for a parking pass on the day of the ceremony. Speakers will include UW-Whitewater’s Chancellor, Dr. Corey King and Wisconsin VFW Jr. Vice Commander Ty Letto. The ceremony is scheduled for approximately one hour.
If there are any questions, readers can contact UW-W Veteran services at (262) 472-5236 or send an email to mcmenamk@uww.edu
Please join us for a Farewell Reception for Stacey Lunsford, Library Director, on Friday, November 10th, 2023 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, 431 West Center Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that there are a lot of fun activities surrounding Halloween and encourages everyone to prioritize safety. Children and youth look forward to Trick or Treating, and we want everyone to enjoy the festivities. Below are some Halloween safety tips.
Trick or Treaters
• Do not Trick or Treat alone.
• An adult should accompany kids under 12 years old.
• Trick or Treat at lit houses. Do not approach a dark residence.
• Look both ways before crossing a road, and do not run.
• Carry flashlights or glow sticks to be more visible.
• Fasten reflective tape to candy bags and costumes.
• Take a cellphone and call 9-1-1 if you see anything suspicious.
• Do not enter any residence. Remain outside.
• Wait to eat any treats until after an adult checks them for safety.
Do not eat any treats that are not in factory-sealed packaging.
Drivers
• Drive slow and watch your surroundings. Turn your headlights on.
• Take extra time to check for kids at intersections and when entering and exiting driveways.
• Avoid using electronic devices; focus on driving.
• Do not drink and drive. If you drink, get a sober ride home.
We wish everyone a safe and fun Halloween!
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by M. Harris from Pixabay.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, our area may experience the first snow of the season on Tuesday. Although it’s indicated that the heaviest and most widespread snowfall will occur during the morning hours, including the morning drive to work and school, the total accumulation is projected to only range from a trace to 2″.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Erwin from Pixabay.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Rock County Public Works Director Duane M. Jorgenson notified The Banner that the pavement markings on County N were completed on the afternoon of October 30 and the road would be reopened. Sure enough, as shown in the above photo, the “road closed” signs have been removed.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation website still indicates that the reconstruction of Highway 12 between Whitewater and Fort Atkinson will be completed by November 3. Is it possible that all roads leading to/from Whitewater will be open by the end of the week? At one point this summer there were detours affecting three roads.
Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Whitewater Unites Lives.
Camden Harlan is a WUL hometown hero and has been nominated by Kim Simes for “her leadership and work as a member of Whitewater Pride and her caring and support of all students at Whitewater High School, including the LGBTQ+ students via the Gay Straight Alliance.”
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
Editor’s note: The following invitation was submitted by Shannon Frye.
Whitewater Area Regional Ministries (WARM) and First United Methodist Church (FUMC) is thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for youth in grades 7 to 12 to embark on a transformative journey of service, learning, and adventure in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. We cordially invite students in the area to join us as we promote the value of community engagement, personal growth, and lifelong friendships through our Youth Community Service and Mission Trip.
Event Details:
– Date: June 8-15
– Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
– Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7 to 12
– Deadline: November 10
WARM hosts an annual service trip for local students by partnering with Youthworks. YouthWorks provides Christ-centered mission trips for thousands of teenagers and Adult Leaders in communities across the U.S. and beyond. Together we are committed to providing students with the tools, experiences, and opportunities to grow into responsible, compassionate, and globally-aware individuals. Our Youth Community Service Trip to North Carolina is designed to empower students, instilling in them a sense of civic responsibility, a passion for community service and an opportunity for students to keep their relationship with God. Youthworks trips are multi-denominational.
All are welcome!
Key Highlights of the Community Service Trip:
1. **Hands-On Service:** Participants will engage in meaningful community service projects, such as work with children and elderly, community beautification projects, serving and preparing meals at local soup kitchens, and assisting local organizations. We will partner with Youthworks to meet the needs of this rural community. Through their efforts, they will witness the direct impact they can make on the lives of others.
2. **Cultural Immersion:** North Carolina’s rich history and diverse culture provide a unique backdrop for cultural exploration. Students will have the chance to immerse themselves in local traditions, food, and customs.
3. **Personal Growth:** The trip is not just about serving others but also about self-discovery. Our expertly designed leadership and personal development activities will encourage students to grow, gain confidence, and discover their potential.
4. **Team Building:** Working side by side with their peers and local community members, students will develop crucial teamwork and communication skills that will serve them well in future endeavors.
5. **Lifelong Friendships:** Sharing this unique experience with like-minded individuals can lead to the formation of lasting friendships and an expanded network of support.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please reach out to Shannon Frye at warmprimetime@gmail.com by November 10th for more information about cost and fundraising opportunities. We look forward to welcoming students on this unforgettable journey of service and self-discovery in North Carolina.
The Whitewater Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Teams competed well against the state’s best athletes on Saturday, October 28th at the Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The conditions were the coolest they were all season hovering in the mid 30’s with overcast skies and the course in great shape despite all the heavy rainfall leading up to the event.
The boys’ team raced first, and all seven runners were doing their jobs and establishing position early to begin preparing to endure the discomfort that eventually would set in. Jack Hefty ran a really great tactical race and put himself in a medal position for much of the race (top 10) but lost one of his spikes just over halfway into the race. This caused him to lose a few places by the finish; he ran an incredible race overall to place 13th in 16:28. This was his best place and time of all the three years he has competed at the state meet. Miles Nickelsburg moved up nicely in the back half of the course and eventually caught his teammate Nate Holden. He continued to motor to the finish line in 91st with a time of 17:47, the second-best time of his career. Nate was out strong and in the top 40 at the mile mark. Battling through a cold, he mustered everything he could for the team and placed 95th overall with a big improvement over his previous year’s state meet performance. Nate’s time was 17:48. Xavier Zei had a solid day in his first state meet race placing 126th with a time of 18:32. A year ago Xavier wasn’t even running under 20:00 minutes. Onyx Thompson ran a strong race only 14 seconds off his lifetime best and placed 143rd with a time of 19:30. Quincy Boudreau and Andrew O’Toole had nice efforts to place 142nd and 151st overall with times of 20:14 and 20:29. The boys’ team placed 14th overall with 311 points out of 16 in the event.
The girls were up next and did not disappoint. They came to race, and it showed from the get-go. From the early indicators, we were in a battle with Clinton with only a few points separating the two teams at each mile checkpoint. Clinton was the sectional champion in our sectional one week earlier by a fairly large margin. Mady Hefty once again led the team and placed 93rd with an overall time of 21:37. She completed a really nice comeback after an injury that derailed her season for a few weeks as we approached the championship phase of the season. Athena Soto wasn’t far behind and placed 101st in 21:52 in her third-best time of the season. Her improvement overall from last year to this year was huge in the team’s growth. Nola was moving up well in the later stages of the race and at the finish placed 116th in 22:16. Carley Boudreau rebounded well from a tougher sectional race a week earlier. Given the course conditions and terrain, this was far and away her best race of the season. Her previous PR was 22:10 on a flatter and faster course, and today she ran 22:17 and was 126th overall. Ema Aranda ran her lifetime best on the biggest stage and placed 144th in 24:10. Her previous best was last weekend when she helped the team qualify for state. Silvia Harris ran her second-best time of the season to stop the clock in 25:02, good enough for 147th. Isabella Aranda ran her second-best time of the season and placed 150th in 25:27. However, relative to the PR she set earlier in the season, this was the best effort she put together on race day. When the dust settled, Whitewater beat sectional champion Clinton from a week earlier and placed 15th with 393 points.
Coach Carstens added, “Overall both teams performed very well! There is so much to be proud of and incredible memories were made that will stick with these athletes as long as they live. They served the Whitewater community very well and should be proud of all they have accomplished. These two teams were able to rewrite history and qualify for state in the same year, a feat that has not been done in this town since 1996! Great job, Whippets!”
Full Results: https://live.pttiming.com/xc-ptt.html?mid=5912
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Photos courtesy of Bob Mischka and Jeff Hefty
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
River Falls, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s cross country team finished second while the Warhawk women were third in the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships in River Falls Saturday. Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) paced the men winning the individual title. The UWW women registered the second-best finish in program history.
Patzka made a move mid-race and held off last year’s champion Ethan Gregg (UWL) to claim the individual title after crossing the line in 24:20.5. He is the sixth Warhawk to become a WIAC Individual Champion joining David Fassbender (2021), Gary Garcia (2004), Tom Hoffman (1968, 1967, 1966), Bud Duex (1965) and Phil Nordfren (1964) in the program record books. [Per WIAC, “Patzka topped the field of 91 runners, completing the 8,000-meter course in 24:20.5. He becomes the second Warhawk in the last three seasons to win the individual title.”]
Patzka led a contingent of seven Warhawks to earn All-WIAC honors, the most in program history. Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) posted a time of 24:49.3 to finish fifth and join Patzka with First Team honors. UWW runners garnering Second Team recognition included Dan Anderson (Eau Claire, Wis./McDonell) who finished ninth with a time of 25:00.6 and Craig Hundley (Grayslake, IL/North) who crossed the line 12th with a time of 25:06.9. Chris Allen (Downers Grove, Ill./North) (15th, 25:13.7), Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee) (18th, 25:25.9) and Tucker Johnson (Poynette, Wis./Poynette) (20th, 25:32.7) earned Honorable Mention honors.
Krause is the first UWW runner since Tom Hoffman in the late 1960s to earn All-WIAC honors four times.
Nick Hardin (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall) (25:37.6), Alex Metko (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) (25:56.9), Jonah Block (Whitefish Bay, Wis./Whitefish Bay) (26:24.7) and Keegan Bratt (Waukesha, WI/West) (26:28.3) also represented UW-Whitewater in the men’s 8k race Saturday.
UW-La Crosse won the men’s team title with 22 points followed by UWW (41), UW-Stout (117), UW-Platteville (123), UW-Oshkosh (142), UW-Eau Claire (143), UW-Stevens Point (147) and UW-River Falls (260)
WOMEN’S RECAP
The Warhawk women’s third-place finish is the second-best in program history (1990, second place) and is the first time UWW has finished with bronze at the conference championship meet.
Katie Erb (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) was the first Warhawk to cross the finish line posting a time of 22:54.7 for 16th. Ari De La Cerda (Milwaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) was right behind in 17th with a time of 22:57.3. The pair earned Honorable Mention All-WIAC honors for their performances Saturday.
UWW’s Jocelyn Ramirez (Jefferson, WI) (23:22.9), Payton Scoggin (Kenosha, Wis./Indian Trails) (23:26.2), Abbey Wedwick (Westby, WI) (23:27.6), Paige Fassbender (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) (23:29.9) and Renee Forystek (Waukesha, WI/North) (23:41.3) all finished among the top 38. Also representing the Warhawk women were Marlee Nichols (Burlington, WI) (24:43.0), Miranda McNally (Downers Grove, Ill./North) (25:01.9), Emma Shingledecker (New Berlin, Wis./West) (25:58.0), Abby Motz (New Berlin, WI/Eisenhower) (26:02.0) and Kristan Larson (Rio, Wis./Rio) (26:14.0) in the field of 87 runners.
UW-La Crosse won the women’s team title with 29 points followed by UW-Eau Claire (46), UWW (115), UW-Stout (115), UW-Oshkosh (120), UW-Stevens Point (176), UW-Platteville (183) and UW-River Falls (207).