Celebrate kindness and inclusivity with stories and art activities for children during Spring Break! Families are invited to the “Embracing Our Differences” program on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy stories, work on a collaborative mural project that will be displayed in the library and create your own watercolor painting. A snack will be served.
The event will be presented with the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and Be Kind Whitewater — a non-partisan group that promotes kindness and civility for the betterment of our community and region.
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on March 6 recognized area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship. Shown above are, from left to right: honorees Korynne Kutz, Fort Atkinson High School, and Mallorri Buonincontro, Cambridge High School; Nancy Olson, DAR chapter regent; honoree Carley Boudreau, Whitewater High School, winner of the chapter essay award; and honoree Haley Woessner, Palmyra-Eagle High School. Honorees Piper Crabtree, Jefferson High School, and Leola Becker, Lake Mills High School, were unable to attend the reception.
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship. The 126-year-old organization held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 6, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson. Named “Good Citizens” were Carley Boudreau, Whitewater High School; Korynne Kutz, Fort Atkinson High School; Haley Woessner, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Mallorri Buonincontro, Cambridge High School; Piper Crabtree, Jefferson High School; and Leola Becker, Lake Mills High School.
“NSDAR (The National Society DAR) began recognizing Good Citizens in 1934; perhaps a great-great-great-grandparent of yours was so honored,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming attendees. “The first school our chapter honored was Fort Atkinson. Our chapter now recognizes seven schools with over 90 students being selected.”
She noted that no scholarships were awarded in those early days. Today, one is given to the chapter’s essay winner. “More important, I think, are the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism, values that stay with you the rest of your lives,” Olson said. DAR member Mary Narkis led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. After introducing herself and her guests, each student was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR Secretary Vicki Schicker and Historian Penny White.
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) on March 6 recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship. Pictured above is honoree Carley Boudreau, Whitewater High School, center, flanked by DAR Secretary Vicky Schicker, left, and DAR Historian Penny White. Boudreau also was the winner of the chapter’s essay contest.
Carley Boudreau Carley Boudreau was the winner in the DAR chapter’s 2024 essay contest and received a monetary gift. She read her essay, titled “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” In it, Boudreau noted that everyone is given a different starting point in life, but service to others is important as he or she climbs the rungs. Whether large or small, each person’s American dream builds a ladder toward success. “Taking a step down from my ladder has and will never be a waste,” she said. “This is because getting others to the top of their ladders, no matter how big or small, is another step up on my own. “Alone, we are strong, but as a community together, the impact can only grow as this strength multiplies,” Boudreau noted.
As president of Whitewater High School’s National Honor Society, Boudreau said, she has seen firsthand the effects a community can have on its citizens. “Together, we’ve impacted our community in ways I could not do alone. Our goals, the peak of our ladder, is found in helping others up their own. This is something I feel so fortunate to be a part of … not just a community, but a community committed to serving others,” she said. The senior said that community service is part of Americans’ identity. “You help the people, helping the community, strengthening our American identity. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be attainable for all and absolutely are with the help of a community,” she concluded.
In addition to National Honor Society, Boudreau is president of Model United Nations and active in Forensics, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council and Lead Dogs. She is varsity captain of the girls’ soccer team and has participated in cross-country.
After graduation, she plans to study international relations at either the American University in Washington D.C. or University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Korynne Kutz
Korynne Kutz is class president on the Student Senate and vice president of National Honor Society at Fort Atkinson High School. Also this year, she has been involved in Latinx Club, Debate, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC), Students Tutor Students and Link Crew. Kutz was captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, participated in track and field and served as boys’ soccer team manager last year.
This fall, she plans to attend UW-Madison to major in finance investments and banking.
Haley Woessner
At Palmyra-Eagle High School, Haley Woessner has been active in Student Council, Varsity Dance Team, National Honor Society, Band, Math Meet and Hope Squad, serving in many leadership positions. She has been manager of the cross-country team, has assisted teaching dance classes, was a delegate to Badger Girls State, was captain of the Varsity Cross-Country Team and served on Prom Committee.
After graduation, Woessner plans to attend Northern Michigan University to study theater entertainment arts and elementary education.
Mallorri Buonincontro
At Cambridge High School, Mallorri Buonincontro is senior class officer and she served as class secretary in grades 9-11. President of the National Honor Society, she is active in Eco Club, Flight Crew, the school musical and Solo and Ensemble. She also has served on the Homecoming and prom courts. In addition, Buonincontro has participated in track and field throughout high school, gymnastics the past three years, basketball as a freshman and volleyball as an underclassman.
In the fall, she plans to attend Wheaton College in Illinois to study Christian Formation and Ministry and then Biblical and Theological Studies.
Piper Crabtree
During her senior year at Jefferson High School, Piper Crabtree has been involved in National Honor Society, Eagle Crew, Drama Club, Forensics, Student Council, Rotary Interact, Hope Squad and J-Club. She also is serving as Art Club secretary and secretary of Tri-M (Modern Music Masters). Crabtree is senior representative on the Band Council and also has participated in Jazz 1, Steel Drum, One-Act Plays, musicals, Drama Club, Forensics, AFS, FBLA/DECA, track and field and tennis.
This fall, she plans to study elementary education at either St. Norbert College or UW- Whitewater.
Leola Becker
While at Lake Mills High School, Leola Becker has been active in Spanish Club, Drama Club, Lariat, Link Crew, yearbook, the fall musical, choir, Jazz Band and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has been president of Show Choir and representative-at-large on Student Council, as well as has participated in Solo & Ensemble all four years of high school. In addition, Becker has served on the Homecoming Court and as prom queen, and was manager of the boys’ basketball team.
After graduation, she plans to attend Carroll University to double-major in music therapy and psychology. Crabtree and Becker were unable to attend the DAR reception.
About the award, DAR Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree. Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.
Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941. Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.
Virginia Coburn points out part of her collection of Fiesta Ware at a previous Whitewater Collects.
The Whitewater Historical Society’s Whitewater Collects event is being held this Sunday, March 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont Street, (Whitewater Street behind the arch.) Over a dozen Whitewater area collectors will be displaying collections that range from Native American Copper Artifacts to Pez Dispensers to Doc Martin shoes and many more antiques and collectibles. This is an annual event, but every year there are new and different collections on display. And, Carol Miller of Bailey’s Honor Auctions and Estate Services, LLC, will provide evaluations of up to two items to the public.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Wind Advisory from 7 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday. There is also chance of 1-2″ of snow.
Carol McCormick writes, “Juvenile bald eagle on the left while mom takes the lower branch. Ice is leaving the lake on Trippe so there might be scouting for early fish meals. Always a sight to see!” [Submitted by Carol McCormick on March 13.]
Our thanks to Carol McCormick for yet another wonderful wildlife photo.
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Whitewater residents, make your voices heard! Early voting for the upcoming election will be available at the City of Whitewater Municipal Building from Tuesday, March 18, 2025 through Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Editor’s note: The above announcement was made on the City of Whitewater Facebook page. Be certain to bring your photo ID. Same day registration is also available for those who will have resided at their address for at least 28 days by Election Day.
The City of Whitewater Fire Department (WFD) received a report of smoke in the area of Fremont Street and North Street on March 17 at 3:12 p.m. WFD Personnel arrived on scene two minutes from the time of dispatch and reported a working fire in a detached garage at 234 W. North Street. The press release indicates that the “aggressive offensive attack…limited the damage to the building of origin, preventing the fire from spreading to three nearby dwellings. The cause of the fire was found to be maintenance being conducted on one of the vehicles in the garage. A battery charger connected to a vehicle is suspected to have contributed to the initial vehicle fire. The fire spread to another vehicle in the garage, and the structural components of the garage itself.”
There were no injuries. The residents of the home were not there at the time. A vigilant neighbor placed the 911 call.
Per the press release, the Lauderdale-LaGrange Fire Department and the City of Whitewater Police Department assisted WFD.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.
Suzanne Chenoweth is a WUL Hometown Hero, and was nominated by both Lisa Huempfner and DeAnna Brunner “For the work Suzanne does as an unsung hero to help the community, whether it be mentoring and assisting a family in need, reading for Book Buddies, serving on the board of Bethel House, volunteering at Lincoln School in the garden, or serving on her church council and playing in the handbell choir.”
Both Lisa and DeAnna are grateful for her work and dedication to helping people in Whitewater.
DeAnna Brunner (left) and Lisa Huempfner (right) nominated Hometown Hero Suzanne Chenoweth (center)
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
Dear Whitewater constituents – family and friends,
I grew up attending the Whitewater Unified School District, as have several of my close and extended family members. Their children, and my three children, continue the same path. I have family who attend ALL academic buildings of the school district. Family employed by the district and family without children who take pride in contributing to the district and being part of the Whippet culture. As a University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Warhawk, I am the associate director of pre-college programs – working with college, high school, and middle school students as a supervisor, administrator, and instructor.
On safety, since day one of my first term, I have advocated for increased safety in our schools to multiple school board members over the years. With your support, the board overwhelmingly agreed to approve the upcoming facilities referendum which includes measures in securing the lives of our children. I am proud and grateful of the Board’s leadership – pursuing to improve a safe learning environment for our teachers to teach, and for our children to learn.
My first Whitewater memories were of living with multiple family members and then moving to a mobile home in Twin Oaks. I clearly remember sleeping on the floor early on. The majority of years I grew up in the Town of Lima, and I now have my own five bedroom home.
I always strive to guarantee opportunity and more for our youth, as what has ensured my continuing success. I do this by using my personal and vacation days to go advocate and/or securing more funding from our State and Federal legislators, such as the $300,000 Department of Justice grant for the City of Whitewater, supporting the expansion of the Trades, applying for Statewide and international recognitions, and helping to lead the annual International Children’s Day which is on its fourth year due to the commitment and support of the community and local organizations.
As a candidate, it is my principle to run as myself and not under a campaign entity. As an individual, we are limited to an aggregate amount of $2,500 to utilize in campaign activity which includes the sum of contributions and expenditures. I will not be influenced by outside money or large self-interest groups who may not always have the best intentions.
If given the opportunity to continue serving on the board, as the youngest candidate, I promise to reject board member compensation again and happily serve. With pending work, continuing in this position will allow me to secure more funding for Whitewater. The place that has allowed my family and I to live the American Dream.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you.
My family
Here I was growing up in Twin Oaks. All the kiddos in the picture live in Whitewater. Three have their own children in the school district, and one works for the school district.
Education: University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Bachelor of Business Administration International Emphasis Economics Minor Cum Laude
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Master of Business Administration Finance Emphasis GPA: 3.908 / 4.0
Board Accomplishments: Started the International Children’s Day event through the City of Whitewater, and I have been on the planning committee since (one year was pre-Board).
Secured two visits from the Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee to serve a Mobile Consul at the Whitewater High School (one year was pre-Board).
Assisted securing $2,000 grant funding from the Mexican government through scholarship.
Invited Governor Evers to visit one of our schools for him to see first-hand the contributions of our teachers and staff; he listened to feedback and was impressed with the integration of the multilingual and science of reading curriculum.
Offered lobbying consultation on approaching the Office of U.S. Senator Baldwin, who advocated for grant funding for the City of Whitewater.
Spearheaded the creation of the Whitewater Unified School District Finance Committee
Building community trust through my reputation, between city staff and the Latino population.
Honorable Mention: Honored to help advocate for the Reese Brantmeier Project where possible, in revitalizing the tennis courts at Washington Elementary. Reference: https://www.reesebrantmeierproject.com/supporters
Local Community Service: League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area Member Kiwanis Breakfast Club Member Conexiones Latinas Social Media Coordinator, supported by Fort Healthcare Polar Plunge Participant, raising more than $1,000 twice
As a Senior Financial Specialist, helped secure close to 2 million dollars for the University and the creation of a financial form when submitting to the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Associate Director of Pre-College Programs, collaborated and continue to converse with representatives of Foxconn to better connect and prepare our Wisconsin students for a successful future.
Location:
Early Voting Times:
Tuesday, March 18 – 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Spread the word and ensure your vote counts! 
