Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.
Whitewater High School has earned an Advanced Placement Pacesetter Award from the Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council (WAPAC) and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The Pacesetter Awards, unique to Wisconsin, are presented annually to districts throughout the state. This year, they recognize the top 142 out of over 500 high schools for student participation and achievement on Advanced Placement exams.
The Level 3 distinction is awarded to schools in which 10 percent or more of the student body took one or more AP exams, and 60 percent or more of those students earned scores of 3 or above on the exams.
“We are thrilled to receive this statewide recognition,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent. “The Pacesetter Award represents the amazing work that our staff and students put in each and every day at WHS. We are excited to celebrate this achievement as we continue to empower our students to achieve excellence.”
Whitewater High School offers 11 AP courses as part of a rigorous curriculum emphasizing academic excellence. The AP program allows students to participate in college-level coursework while they are still in high school, with the culminating AP exam earning college credit and placement.
UW-Whitewater hosted the Special Olympics Wisconsin summer games for the first time in June. About 1200 athletes competed in track and field events, soccer, tennis, cornhole, and powerlifting. 600 volunteers assisted in running the event.
Nicole Christensen, Senior Director of Sports for Special Olympics Wisconsin, told The Banner, “We are excited to return to Whitewater for the Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games. The event will be June 6-8, 2024. The games were held in Stevens Point for 4+ decades before we moved to Whitewater in 2023.”
Sharon Reigstad shared the following story on Facebook a couple weeks ago and gave The Banner permission to pass it on.
I had a chiropractic appointment this afternoon – when I just finished that I stopped at Arby’s on the way home to get something to eat because Ron was out of town. I get up to where I have to order and I know it’s almost impossible for me to hear but I know what I want. I tell the guy on the phone, “You can’t ask me any questions cause I can’t hear what you’re saying to me, so I’m gonna drive up to the window and we can finish the order.” All of a sudden the back door of the building opens. A nice man comes out and he said, “So do you read lips?” I told him yes, he said, “So then would you like to have your drink as part of your meal?” He finished taking my order. I drove up to the window and they gave me the order. I have never ever had this happen to me before; he was so nice and so kind. His name is Wicker!!
I was holding back the tears when I got to the window, so I even forgot what I ordered. It was so amazing!
Our thanks to Sharon Reigstad for allowing us to share her gratitude for a special kindness.
Editor’s note: This information from a Facebook post was submitted by Rhonda Kolander. The Banner regrets that we were unable to obtain clearer images.
New artist at the Tealux Cafe, 129 W. Center Street – James Thelen. Go check out his work!
Whitewater High School is the only school in Walworth County and the Rock Valley Athletic Conference with a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team. Ferradermis, FRC Team #6574, is seeking to build a sustainable and long-term funding solution and is reaching out to the community for assistance. The mission of Ferradermis is to prepare members for STEM and business careers, while challenging and inspiring them as students. Ferradermis also aims to build leadership skills, communication skills, and professionalism. The team has found a great deal of success in competition over the years, ranking statistically in the top 17% of 3,323 teams in the world for the 2023 season. However, the cost-intensive nature of robotics necessitates external funding beyond existing support.
Members of Ferradermis accept the Judges’ Award at a recent off-season competition held at Mukwonago High School in July. The regular FRC season runs from January through April, but the team is active year round.
Budgeting for Robotics
The team’s annual budget target is $64,000, which covers essential expenses and allows for participation in local and regional competitions. If the team qualifies for world championships as demonstrated in 2018 and 2019, the team needs to collect an additional $25,000 in as little as two weeks. While these numbers are high, the team has worked hard every year to collect donations and build long term relationships with sponsors.
The Whitewater Unified School District recently began contributing $14,000 yearly, a funding level similar to that of an athletic team. Unfortunately, other funding sources vary every year and are not guaranteed. Typically, students author and apply for competitive grants that account for about $12,000. An additional $24,000 is sourced from businesses, individuals, and organizations. Students, families, and mentors contribute another $10,000, while fundraising events raise an extra $4,000.
Ferradermis Expenses and Funding Sources for a Typical Year
Where do the Funds Go?
Ferradermis’s annual expenses primarily center on competition-related costs, including travel, accommodations, registration fees, and materials for building a new robot each year. The team is committed to ensuring that no student is barred from participation due to financial constraints, offering scholarships to those in need. However, this has led to an increasing fundraising burden as more students and families require support each year.
In addition to the high school program, in 2018 Ferradermis member Bennett Miles initiated the first FIRST Lego League (FLL) team at Lincoln Elementary School. FLL has since expanded across all district elementary schools and the middle school, guided by Val Troxel, Chris Nate, Sara Brautigam, Lisa Kaminski, and Kerry Ramsden. Ferradermis remains involved by providing student mentors, raising funds for LEGO Spike Prime robots, and chartering buses for FLL members to observe the high school team’s Wisconsin Regional competition in Milwaukee.
Ferradermis member Zoe Olson poses with members of the Lakeview Bricklayers FLL Team when they visited the Wisconsin FRC Regional in Milwaukee last March.Members of the Whitewater Middle School Iron Dragons FLL Team take practice runs with their Spike Prime robot at the Mukwonago FLL Regional last year.Developing and supporting a progression of robotics programs in the WUSD is a main outreach goal for Ferradermis.
The Ferradermis Fund
Recognizing the need for a more sustainable funding solution, Ferradermis has been collaborating with alumni Michael Borglin (WHS class of 2008) and Tim Walsh (WHS class of 2006). Both are computer science graduates and former students of Ferradermis Advisor Laura Masbruch at Whitewater High School. Now residing in California and working in technology, the two are using their unique skill sets to support Ferradermis. Borglin established the Borglin Family Foundation in 2021 and launched the Ferradermis Fund under the Whitewater Community Foundation soon after. The aim is to establish a $500,000 endowment (Ferradermis Fund), enabling the team to draw up to $25,000 annually from the fund’s interest indefinitely. Achieving this ambitious target requires involvement from the community and other alumni. The Borglin Family Foundation has pledged $70,000 over five years and has been matched by another anonymous alumni (WHS class of 2006). Borglin stated, “I always felt that learning by doing was the best way to learn, and that is why I support the Ferradermis team.”
Michael Borglin presents a check for $10,000 to Ferradermis Co-Captain Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman and Whitewater Community Foundation Co-President Roni Telfer as his 2023 contribution to the Ferradermis Fund.
Community Partnerships
In addition to hosting the Ferradermis Fund, the Whitewater Community Foundation has given Ferradermis access to manage its Google Ad Grant. This grant, available to nonprofits, provides $10,000 in ad credits each month that groups can use to draw attention to their programs. Walsh’s expertise in Google marketing guides the grant’s utilization. Additionally, a partnership with the Whitewater Advertising Association at UW-Whitewater is providing an advertising internship opportunity, contributing to the team’s growth and visibility while deepening community ties.
Why Ferradermis is Important to Whitewater and the Students
Ferradermis functions as a student operated small business. The overall team is divided into sub teams, half of which focus on business and outreach, while the other half focus on designing and building a robot. All students work under the guidance of a wide variety of volunteer adult mentors – programmers, metal workers, engineers, businesspeople, and more – building a network of professional contacts. These professional contacts support students in their future education and beyond to their careers.
Each year, The FRC game is revealed in January. At that point, the team must start from scratch to plan, design, build, wire, program, and test a brand-new robot in eight weeks before taking the competition field. This tight timeframe helps students develop time management skills.
FIRST focuses heavily on the concept of Gracious Professionalism, encouraging all teams to work together to make each other the best that they can be. Students develop many soft skills through FIRST as they interact, communicate, and build relationships with other teams from around the world as well as with their sponsors. Team members regularly practice public speaking for sponsors, judges, and community groups.
2023 Human Player Erison Dreksler discusses match strategy with the Ferradermis Alliance partners before a match in Rockford this summer.The Ferradermis robot #6574 takes the field in competition at the R2OC off-season event in Rockford in July.Learning to work closely with teams from around the world is a skill central to success in FIRST Robotics.
Outreach and the promotion of STEM education are valued heavily by FIRST. You will often find Ferradermis at other schools, the public library, and community events demonstrating the robot and giving younger students a chance at the controls. Ferradermis also values its relationship with the technology and engineering program at Whitewater High School, working with staff members to purchase new equipment and arrange the donation of used equipment, all in an effort to improve the shop for both WHS students in tech ed courses and the team.
Mentors and students work together to learn to use the CNC milling machine recently donated to the school metal shop.A line of students waits for their chance to drive the Ferradermis robot at Lincoln Elementary School’s STEAM Night in May.Ferradermis works to promote STEM education throughout the WUSD.
Ferradermis is active and still growing. Thirty-two WHS graduates from the classes of 2021 and 2022 participated on the team for at least one season. Of these students, 68% are pursuing STEM fields with 38% studying engineering. Two from this group have already returned as mentors.
How to Donate
To support Ferradermis, donations can be made to the Ferradermis Fund through the Whitewater Community Foundation’s website or by contacting Bonnie Miller at info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org. Those interested in learning more about Ferradermis or robotics within the Whitewater Unified School District can contact ferradermis@gmail.com, visit www.ferradermis.org, or call 262-472-8159.
Article Submitted by Michael Borglin and Laura Masbruch Photos Courtesy of Laura Masbruch and Rich Grosse lmasbruch@wwusd.org
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Update: Clarification made that the board agenda for the July 13 meeting did not allow for voting by that body, although the council’s agenda did.
The City of Whitewater Common Council (“council”) and the Whitewater Unified School District School Board (“board”) will meet tonight at 6 p.m. with the hope of concluding a nearly six month effort to reach a new agreement for the operation of the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center (“WAFC”). The bodies last met on July 13, and by the conclusion of the nearly 100 minute meeting there seemed to be growing consensus, but there were substantial frustrations expressed along the way by both officials and the public.
Representatives of the council and board have been meeting, whether as full bodies or in a subcommittee, since March 2. From the beginning of the July meeting it was evident that the groups had different ideas regarding the purpose of the session. The council’s agenda allowed for discussion and possible action on the proposals offered by the city and the district, and Council President James Allen indicated that everyone was prepared to stay as long as necessary to hopefully conclude negotiations. Board President Larry Kachel, however, soon made clear that the board would not be taking any votes. In fact the board’s agenda did not allow for action on the proposals.
Although there were several points of contention, the primary potential deal breaker was the district’s plan to reduce its annual contribution towards operating expenses to $78,000 versus the city’s request for $178,000. The city planned to contribute $250,000 annually in addition to covering any operating deficits. The district offered to take full responsibility for capital expenses on the building after $100,000 annual contributions from the city and the district. All contributions would be subject to a 3% annual escalation factor. The city continued to maintain that it would be unable to operate the facility without the full district operating expense payment.
The public comment period at mid-meeting allowed Jeff Knight and Steve Ryan, among others, to express their disappointment that they were unable to congratulate the representatives on completing their months-long work, as they had planned to do.
A restroom break seemed to clear the air, and ultimately the suggestion was made that the city might be willing to increase its annual capital improvement payment to $200,000 in exchange for the district meeting the $178,000 annual operating expense request. The council voted unanimously to request staff to provide a new financial analysis based on that proposal, and though the board took no vote, members appeared to be willing to consider the proposal at their next meeting on August 14.
It may be anticipated that tonight’s audience will likely include some citizens hoping to provide their representatives with postponed appreciation and congratulations on achieving a new agreement that will keep “Whitewater’s jewel” open for recreation, education, and fitness for the next six years.
The Whitewater Cross Country teams are conducting their annual water softener salt fundraiser and would like you to be a buyer! The CC athletes will stack your order wherever you see fit, including your basement provided you are home during our delivery window and request that level of service.
There is a two bag minimum order required and orders are due on Wednesday, August 30th. All orders must be prepaid. Delivery will take place on Friday, September 8th from 3:30-6:00 p.m. Use this link to access the flyer.
Thank you to Dalee Water Conditioning for supplying the salt for this year’s fundraiser!
Place an order with any member of the CC team or email Coach Chad Carstens at ccarstens@wwusd.org
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory for a number of counties, including Jefferson, Rock, and Walworth, for Sunday. On Saturday the advisory was set for 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., but this morning it was moved back to 11 a.m. Whitewater’s heat index is predicted to reach 99 degrees F.
WHITEWATER, WI (08/16/2023)– The following students conducted research at UW-Whitewater during the 2022-2023 school year.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Alex Abplanalp who is majoring in Psychology, presented “Research Compliance Administrator” while mentored and supervised by Donna Kempf while participating in the following program(s): Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Elbee-Fae Ascherl who is majoring in Women’s and Gender Studies – Bachelor of Arts, presented “Trans-forming Healthcare: Developing Inclusive Healthcare Environments” while mentored and supervised by Stephanie Selvick while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day, National Conference on Undergraduate Research, and Fall Undergraduate Research Day. Ascherl won the Research in the Rotunda 2023 award for this project.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Danielle Klais who is majoring in Environmental Science – Bachelor of Arts, presented “Evaluating methods for determining thermokarst lake extent changes over the period 2001 – 2020” while mentored and supervised by Rocio Duchesne while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day, Fall Undergraduate Research Grant, and Spring Undergraduate Research Grant.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Michaela Nitka who is majoring in Geography, presented “Paleontology of Faunas from Initial Transgression to Deep Marine, Cretaceous (Albian) of Central Texas” while mentored and supervised by Rex Hanger while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day and Spring Undergraduate Research Grant.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Connor Rohde who is majoring in Chemistry – Bachelor of Science, presented “Carbon Capture by Icelandic Basalts: A Potential Way to Address Global Climate Change” while mentored and supervised by Pajukti Bhattacharyya while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Evan Schepp who is majoring in Environmental Science, presented “The Mesoscale Conditions that Contributed to the development of the Morton, Texas Tornado on 23 May 2022” while mentored and supervised by John Frye while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day, Fall Undergraduate Research Grant, and Fall Undergraduate Research Day.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Carter Waelchli who is majoring in Theatre Education, presented “It’s not like a Video Game:” Grounded and the influences of its Sound Design.” while mentored and supervised by Ruth Conrad-Proulx while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day and Group Grant.
53190 Whitewater, WI: Jon Zheng who is majoring in Biology – Bachelor of Science, presented “Phylogenetic Diversification of Mpox and Related Poxviridae” while mentored and supervised by Robert Kuzoff while participating in the following program(s): Spring Undergraduate Research Day, National Conference on Undergraduate Research, Fall Undergraduate Research Grant, and Fall Undergraduate Research Day. Zheng won the Birch and Aspen award for this project.
The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) offers a variety of programs aimed to connect students with faculty mentors and provide them with enriching research opportunities. This can be in the form of working alongside a mentor as a student researcher, or creating independent, student-led projects with a mentor’s help.
Undergraduate students from all majors are able to apply and participate in the various programs, grants, and opportunities that the URP offers, and many take part in undergraduate research every year. URP supports inquiry-driven research scholarship and creative activity, and provides grants, research fellowships, and travel support to undergraduate students and faculty mentors.
“The Undergraduate Research Program is a high-impact practice that gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge outside of the classroom and dive deeper into their field of interest,” said Ana Caballero Mengibar, director of the Undergraduate Research Program. “It stimulates critical thinking, helps to improve communication and problem solving skills, and advances both individual and collective knowledge. Students participating in the Undergraduate Research Program have higher levels of acceptance rates to graduate school, increased graduation rates, and they are more likely to find jobs upon graduation.”
To find information about the Undergraduate Research Program, visit https://www.uww.edu/urp.
Updated at 10:50 a.m. on 8/21 to confirm time of the library meeting. Updated at 7:50 p.m. on 8/21 to add City Community Lakes meeting on Saturday.
Joint Meeting with City of Whitewater Common Council and Whitewater Unified School District – Monday @ 6 p.m. Agenda City of Whitewater Municipal Building – Community Room 312 West Whitewater St. This will be an IN PERSON and a VIRTUAL MEETING. Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84831526958?pwd=Q1FsNG43TjhtWW1hUHNOY0RZZGVYdz09 Passcode: 280540 Or dial 1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 848 3152 6958 Passcode: 280540
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Agenda includes closed session interview of EMS Lieutenant candidate followed by open session. City of Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room- First Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. Please join meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/195294189 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 195-294-189 United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes WAFC Membership Fee Discussion/Approval and Starin Park’s Treyton’s Field Of Dreams Deck Expansions Discussion And Approval. City of Whitewater Municipal Building Cravath Lakefront Room- 2nd Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. or Virtual Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86135525968?pwd=ZXZ4ZDk1NC8rZDFMd2R6K1J6NkZyZz09 Meeting ID: 861 3552 5968 Passcode: 839644 Or dial 1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 861 3552 5968 Passcode: 839644
City of Whitewater Community Lakes Meeting – Saturday @ 11:00 a.m. Guest: Heidi Bunk, Lakes Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. WHERE: City of Whitewater Municipal Building, Common Council Chambers Room, 312 W. Whitewater St. Councilmembers and DNR will walk over to Cravath Lake to continue the meeting. A quorum of the Common Council will be present. This notice is given to inform the public that no formal action will be taken at this meeting. The meeting is open to the public.
