News

On Saturday, March 8th, students from Whitewater High School participated in the Wisconsin School Music Association [WSMA] District Solo/Ensemble Festival at Jefferson High School. Students performed in both instrumental and vocal events throughout the day. Congratulations to all WHS students who performed! Special congratulations to the WHS students who received at 1* rating in one or more events which qualifies them for the WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival which will be held on April 26 on the UW-Whitewater campus. We wish you all the best!

Dante Baker – Marimba Solo
Isabella Cohen, Jay Downs, Taiya Kolb, and Xavier Ortiz – Saxophone Quartet
Ben Crone – Marimba Solo
Esteban Diaz-Gallegos – Alto Saxophone Solo
Lucy Troxel – Clarinet Solo
Sami Van Daele – Marimba Solo
Willow Vogelzang – Flute Solo

A’lani Ross – Musical Theater & Alto Solo
Charlotte Hajewski – Musical Theater & Soprano Solo
Samuel Nickelsburg – Musical Theater & Tenor Solo
Ava Van Daele – Musical Theater & Alto Solo
Alexander Clarksen – Musical Theater & Tenor Solo
Willow Vogelzang – Musical Theater & Soprano Solo
Ian Agen – Musical Theater & Tenor Solo
Chacha Binagi – Baritone Solo
Ameera Lin – Alto Solo
Payton Bunger – Baritone Solo
Alex Clarksen & Alex Sullivan – Tenor/Soprano Duet
Vivian Harris – Alto Solo
Ava Van Daele & A’lani Ross – Soprano/Alto Duet
Alex Sullivan – Soprano Solo
Ava Van Daele – Alto Solo

Chord of the Rings members Ian Agen, Chacha Binagi, Alex Clarksen, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, David Enns, Samuel Nickelsburg, Josh Nygren (Cruz Aranda)- Contemporary A Cappella

Music Masters Ensemble members Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, Isabella Cohen, David Enns, Charlotte Hajewski, Samuel Nickelsburg Harry Ritchie, A’lani Ross, Alex Sullivan, Ava Van Daele, Willow Vogelzang (Hayleigh Pond) – Madrigal Ensemble

Music Masters Ensemble members Chacha Binagi, Payton Bunger, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, Isabella Cohen, David Enns, Charlotte Hajewski, Samuel Nickelsburg Harry Ritchie, A’lani Ross, Alex Sullivan, Ava Van Daele, Willow Vogelzang (Hayleigh Pond) – Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Article and Photos Submitted by Sam Averill
Whitewater High School Band Director
saverill@wwusd.org

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office anticipates the following as of their Thursday afternoon update:

• A strong low pressure system will move through the Midwest Friday-Saturday, bringing gusty non-thunderstorm winds & chances for severe thunderstorms
• Peak potential for showers, thunderstorms, and possible severe weather is between 8 PM Friday – 12 AM Saturday. Greatest potential is over far south-central and southwestern Wisconsin, with lower confidence further northeast
• Primary hazard in any Friday evening severe storms is damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 MPH. While far secondary to the damaging wind threat, a brief, isolated tornado can’t be entirely ruled out
• The strongest non-thunderstorm wind gusts are expected Saturday afternoon, when Wind Advisories are possible over parts of the area

As shown on the map below, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will soon be closing US Highway 12 from County P to WIS 20/WIS 67 for road construction. The County P intersection is at the easternmost stoplight on our bypass. Access to local residences and businesses will be maintained. Brad Bowe, the project manager with JT Engineering, told The Banner that, “The current plan would be to close US 12 on Friday, March 28^th to local traffic only. This would allow for some equipment to mobilize in and start work on the culverts under US 12 on Monday the 31st.”

Last summer a long segment of US Highway 12 approaching Elkhorn was closed for road construction for a number of months, causing many drivers to use a detour that included County Hwy H out of LaGrange. That will not be an option this time. Drivers heading to Elkhorn will likely find that the new detour won’t add too much time to their trip.

Whitewater’s Coolest Annual Event Returns in 2025

Special Olympics Wisconsin debuts 2025 Polar Plunge campaign February through March

Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) supporters from across southern Wisconsin will be Leapin’ for a Reason in Whitewater Saturday, March 15, for the 2025 Polar Plunge® for Special Olympics Wisconsin, presented by Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin and US Venture.

The Whitewater Polar Plunge® kicks off at the Whitewater Aquatic Center (580 S. Elizabeth St., Whitewater) with an Opening Ceremony at noon followed by nonstop plunging into the Aquatic Center’s pool. The day will include live music, photo moments with Chilly Bear, an open swimming event, cardboard boat races, and plenty of fun memories while raising funds for Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes. Unique to Whitewater, the zero-entry pool also provides an inclusive opportunity for people with accessibility concerns to still participate.

This year’s Polar Plunge® features two great ways to get involved:

1. Polar Plunger: The traditional way to plunge—jump into icy waters and bask in your generous glory! Those opting out of an in-person event can make their own adventure via Alternative Plunge.
2. Polar Pledger: Less daring individuals can still get involved without getting wet.

Plungers who raise the minimum $100 will receive the official Polar Plunge® long-sleeve shirt with unique design for 2025. Those raising more can earn additional incentives.

Whitewater is one of eight Polar Plunge® locations spanning seven Saturdays across the state. Other events this winter include Wisconsin Rapids, Oshkosh, Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, Milwaukee, and Chippewa Falls.

More information, including registration and an updated schedule of events, can be found at PlungeWI.org. Pre-registrations are highly encouraged, but on-site day-of registration will also be available.

The Polar Plunge® is Special Olympics Wisconsin’s largest annual grassroots fundraiser—all funds raised for this unique winter tradition go directly to Special Olympics Wisconsin, helping thousands of statewide SOWI athletes train and compete at the state, national, and international level. The event also supports year-round health and wellness programs, leadership development, and Unified Champion School initiatives that enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID).

The Whitewater Polar Plunge® is sponsored by US Venture, Generac, Fort Community Credit Union, Hexpol, and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin.

For more information about the Special Olympics Wisconsin movement, visit SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.

Congratulations to the WHS Forensics Team for advancing to the state competition for public speaking. All 8 team members qualified in their individual categories at the District 11 competition in Evansville, Monday night. 

Members include Makayla Bazeley and Carley Boudreau for expository speaking, Grace Coleman in solo monologue, humorous, Lucy Davis and Skyler Hogan in poetry, Maya Davis for oratory, Emily Schmidt in special occasion presentation, and Atreya Wilson for impromptu speech. The state tournament will take place in Madison on April 12. Congratulations to all!

Article and Top Photo Courtesy of Jim McCulloch
Whitewater High School Forensics Coach
jMcCulloch@wwusd.org
Additional Photo Courtesy of Tom Ganser

The WHS Math Team traveled to Delavan-Darien High School on March 11th to compete in the Rock Valley Conference Math Meet. The Whippets landed in 5th place overall, with sophomore Cyrus Hudec winning 10th place in the individual JV standings and senior Andrew O’Toole winning 1st place among all Varsity competitors. 

Congratulations to all of our great Mathletes on a job well done!

Article and Photos Submitted by Eric Kendall
Whitewater High School Math Team Advisor
mkendall@wwusd.org

Congratulations to the Whitewater High School Battle of the Books team, “The Final Brain Cell,” comprised of Vivian Harris, Virginia Nelson, and Letty Trautman, who finished 3rd in the state of Wisconsin!

In a local playoff for who would represent the school in the state competition, the “Book Bashers” team of Emilie Bruns, Nina Heim, and Caitlin Alford fell to “The Final Brain Cell” by one point.

46 schools competed at the state level this year. Each team had to read 20 books and be prepared to answer questions on them to achieve this awesome level!

Article and Photos Courtesy of Kathy Retzke
Whitewater Unified School District Library Media Specialist
kretzke@wwusd.org

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Internet Crimes
Against Children (ICAC) Task Force today announced that Samuel Pieper, a former correctional officer for the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, was charged on Friday, March 7 with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of trafficking
of a child. [According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Mr. Pieper, age 40, resides at 161 S. Maple Lane, Whitewater. Cash bond was set and signed at $250,000.]

On March 6, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mr. Pieper’s residence. The warrant was the result of tips provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) involving suspected exploitation of children where money amounts were being transferred to suspected minors in exchange for videos or images in June and July of 2024. Mr. Pieper was taken into custody at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Pieper was booked in the Walworth County Jail and transported to the Rock County Jail. Mr. Pieper resigned his position as a correctional officer at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on March 6, 2025. As in any criminal proceeding, Mr. Pieper is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

There are no known local victims at this time. If you or anyone you know may have any information to assist in this investigation, please call the ICAC Task Force at (608) 266-1671.

This investigation is being led by the ICAC Task Force at DOJ and is being prosecuted by the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is assisted by the Whitewater Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and Wisconsin DOJ Crime Response Specialists.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.

League of Women Voters Book Club Discussion, Part II

The League of Women Voters of Whitewater Area’s Book Club is pleased to announce the second of three discussions of the book James: A Novel by Percival Everett, on Thursday, March 20, starting at 6:30 PM.  The discussion will be held at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street, in Whitewater, where copies of the book are still available. Call 262-269-9101 to hold a copy.

The 2024 National Book Award winner and finalist for the Booker Prize, James: A Novel by Percival Everett, is a re-imaging of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The League invites anyone in Walworth and Jefferson counties to join us in the discussions of the book.

Thank you to all who joined us for the Whitewater League’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) book discussion last month covering Part I of Percival Everett’s James: A Novel. Whitewater High School reading teacher, Tara McKenzie-Peotter, led seventeen of us through a stimulating conversation that provided new insights into the pre-Civil War South.  It is not too late to join our next discussion on March 20 to continue the examination of Part II with Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School history teacher, with an emphasis on the teaching of this historical period through concepts such as cake walks, minstrel shows and slave narratives.

Part III discussion will be held Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 pm led by UW-Whitewater professor Dr. Tamara Lindsey, with an emphasis on topics such as emancipation, liberation, freedom, and social construction theory.

Please call Deb Gamble at 262-853-1946 with any questions. The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area welcomes all community members to join us in these meaningful discussions.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.