News

From April 15 – 20, 24 student members of Ferradermis and 9 adults traveled to Houston, Texas for the FIRST Championships featuring 600 top FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Teams from around the world. The 600 teams were divided into 8 fields, each named after a famous scientist, and each field played to determine a champion. The champion alliances from each field came together in a new playoff bracket to determine the world champion. The world champion alliance included perennial powerhouses MadTown Robotics from Madera, California and Jack-in-the-Bot from Mill Creek, Washington, as well as Maverick Robotics from Lafayette, Indiana and Iron Panthers from Burlingame, California. Playoff alliances were made up of 4 teams each, instead of the traditional 3, allowing the alliance captain to present a line-up card before each match, designating which 3 robots would play in that match.

Ferradermis played on the Galileo Field with 75 high school robotics teams representing 27 states and 6 other countries. The team went 7-3 in their 10 qualification matches, ending qualifications ranked #23 out of the 75 teams. This was the highest ranking that the Whitewater High School team has ever achieved at worlds, having also qualified for the event in Detroit in 2018 and 2019 and Houston in 2024. Ferradermis members had made a major change to their robot design and match strategy going into Houston, changing their bot from one that focused mainly on the coral game piece to one that focused on scoring the algae game piece, hoping that this would allow them to complement the strategies of the elite bots they would encounter.  Although the bot performed very well, Ferradermis was not selected as part of a playoff alliance.

One highlight of the trip was a new autonomous routine for the robot, developed over many trips to the practice field in Houston. This routine allowed the robot to score two game pieces in the autonomous period for the first time this season, placing a coral on the top level of the reef, removing an algae from the reef, and placing the algae in the barge. Another highlight was a newly formed scouting alliance with IronClad, a team from Bradley, Illinois that Ferradermis had worked closely with at last year’s Midwest Regional.

Students traveling to Houston were Team Captains Andrew O’Toole, Maddi LaHaie, and Emerson Dunham, Subteam Leads Chacha Binagi, Erison Dreskler, Rae Breisath, Ace Hudec, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, and Andrew Zimmermann, and team members Asher Downs, Emilie Bruns, Letty Trautman, Virginia Nelson, Nina Heim, Jayden Kehrer, Georgia Esch, Preston Miller, Carson Miller, Colby Long, Vivian Harris, Margaret Brown, Cooper Housel, Cyrus Hudec, and Sam Raupp. Team members assumed many of the same roles that they had at previous competitions including drive team, scout, ambassador, and media.

In addition to four full 12-hour days at the George R Brown Convention Center for the competition, the travelers were able to add in a little fun on the travel days at the beginning and end of the trip. Upon arriving in Texas, the team’s first stop was Space Center Houston where they were able to visit historic mission control and experience the moon landing as mission control experienced it in 1969. Before heading home, the team made a stop at the Downtown Houston Aquarium.

The spring and summer will continue to be busy for the team. On Saturday, May 10, the public is invited to attend the second annual STEAM Faire at Whitewater High School from 10:00 – 2:00. The WUSD Robotics Booster Club has arranged for a large variety of interactive exhibitors for young and old to enjoy. The event is great free family entertainment. There will also be a LEGO Build Competition for students sponsored by Lake Home Info. (Students must register and prepare their entries in advance.)

Ferradermis has two upcoming competitions. The team is one of 32 Wisconsin teams invited to compete in the inaugural State Championship event on June 13 – 14 in Sheboygan. Ferradermis currently ranks #6 out of the 70 teams in the state based on season points earned. They will then participate in the MROC Off-Season Competition at Mukwonago High School on July 26 – 27.

The team will be open to new members starting this summer. Please reach out to Laura Masbruch at lmasbruch@wwusd.org with questions.

Thank you to our season and worlds sponsors for making all of this possible!

• Rick Halverson
• Whitewater Unified School District
• LaGrange International Airport
• Regal Rexnord
• Borglin Family Foundation
• Anonymous 
• TDS Telecom
• In Memory of Howard P Nelson
• Intuitive Foundation
• Gene Haas Foundation
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Applied Material Solutions
• Provisur
• Lavelle
• 3M and FIRST
• Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club
• Whitewater Generating Station (NAES)
• McCullough’s LTC Pharmacy
• D.L.K. Enterprises, Inc.
• Generac
• Coperion
• Pentair
• The Heim Family
• I90 Enterprises
• HSI Rentals – Bob & Jill Freiermuth
• First Citizens State Bank
• Emil and Deb Weber
• J.B. Miller LLC
• The Coburn Company
• Weber Family
• Mary Beth Byrne
• Mark and Terrie Parenteau
• HEXPOL
• Doug Jones
• Wisconsin Oven Corporation
• Walmart
• MSOE
• Lori Heidenreich
• David and Alison Viemeister
• Jane Masbruch
• JP Cullen
• Brian Culver (Powermation)
• Stephanie Pfeil
• Anne & Lane Kuske
• Anonymous
• Naomi MacDonald
• Alex Geyer
• Sue Hilliger
• Gates Foundation
• Jim and Ellen Streib
• Inger Miles
• Becky Fry
• Melissa Jones
• Douglas Jones
• Conalee Laabs
• Pamela O’Neal
• Kikkoman Foods
• Dawn & Lyle Hunter
• Dalee Water Conditioning
• Cabinets & Design by Cozette
• Fort Community Credit Union
• Kristen Fletcher
• Ketterhagen Motors
• In Memory of Mary Jo Eakle
• Steve Sayhun
• PremierBank
• Janet Muzatko
• Charles & Renee Barr
• Anna Vo
• Suzanne Chenoweth
• Mark Masbruch
• Wentao Guo
• Jan Berezowitz
• Janet Olson
• Marjorie Stoneman
• Kathleen Dunham
• Elizabeth Mayer
• Gina Foucault
• Richard & Dianne Dunham
• Deidre Simon
• Kristine Zaballos
• Jenni Jacobs
• Reynolds Heating and Cooling
• Reflections of the Past
• La Piazza Pizzeria
• Jessica’s Family Restaurant
• Jerry Thalmann
• Paula Babb
• Emily Roe
• Sharon McCullough
• Jean Bruns
• Amanda Mazzaferro
• Justin Duffy
• Sheila Meehan Gailloreto
• Virginia Coburn
• American Legion Post No. 173
• Rodney & Tammie Lohff
• Mary Peiffer
• Whitewater Family Dentistry
• Jacqueline and Dean Fischer
• Matt Aschenbrener
• Rich & Josie Grosse
• Kevin Housel
• Kristin Fletcher
• Denise Mount
• Kate McNulty
• Toppers
• Rocky Rococos
• The Real MacCoys
• Dan Trieloff
• Gary & Naomi MacDonald
• Corey & Kelly Davis

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces the last show of this year’s Theatre/Dance season, “NO EXIT” by Jean Paul Sartre, adapted from the French by Paul Bowles. This production, directed by Robyn Accetta will run in the Hicklin Studio Theatre from April 25 – May 3. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222.  In Sartre’s existential play, Cradeau, Inez, and Estelle are sent to Hell but it is not what they expect. Instead of torture devices and punishment, they find themselves stuck together in a plain room, none of them wanting to admit their reason for damnation. You won’t want to miss this captivating adventure of three souls as they discover each other’s crimes and their eternal destiny in hell. When asked about the production, Accetta stated, “In our production of No Exit, we’ve reimagined Sartre’s existential purgatory through the lens of our modern digital culture—an always-on, never-quite-private space of curated identities and the desperate need to be seen, liked, and approved. ”Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) was a French philosopher, author, and playwright. He is best known for spearheading the existentialist movement. Sartre published a number of books and plays, as well as taking an interest in French politics. In 1967 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, but refused it stating, “a writer should not allow himself to be turned into an institution.” Showtimes for “NO EXIT” are April 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., April 27 at 2 p.m., May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m., and May 3 at 2 p.m. Act now to take advantage of half-price tickets for Saturday, April 26. The April 26 performance will also include a special talkback session featuring an interdisciplinary panel of faculty experts. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased in advance online at tickets.uww.edu, by calling (262) 472-2222 or at the Ticket Services office, 800 W. Main Street. They are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.. Adults are $18, those age 65+ are $16, and under age 18 are $13. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Hicklin Studio Theatre is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190.

Updated 4/23/25 @ 10:25 a.m. to add Board President Jen Kienbaum’s comments regarding superintendent search.

As was announced on The Whitewater Banner on March 21, Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty is resigning effective June 30 to accept the superintendency of a district in Pennsylvania. The school board has scheduled three focus groups in order to receive input that will help to inform their search for the new superintendent. Unfortunately, the Banner was not aware of the meeting on the 22nd. Remaining sessions are on Thursday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. and Friday, April 25, 12:00 p.m. The Zoom access is as follows: Here is the link to the Zoom meetings:

https://zoom.us/j/91902953403…

Meeting ID: 919 0295 3403

Passcode: 908035

The board has also announced a Meet & Greet session for the “Superintendent Candidate.” It is unclear whether this means that a single candidate has been identified. Update: Board President Jen Kienbaum told The Whitewater Banner “The board has not discussed and/or narrowed down names of candidates as of yet. Applications can be received up until April 30th. The board will narrow the candidates at the May 5th board meeting and conduct first round of interviews May 12th and 13th.”

Whitewater Arts Alliance Hosts 2025 Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP)
Exhibition and Workshop

The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is proud to announce the 2025
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) Exhibition, running from May 1-31, 2025, at
the Cultural Arts Center, located at 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI. This exhibition
provides artists from across Wisconsin with a platform to showcase their creativity,
enhance their skills and connect with others in the arts community.

WRAP offers a welcoming environment where artists can learn, share ideas, and find
inspiration. Regional winners will advance to a statewide exhibit, giving them an even
greater opportunity to showcase their talent. The exhibition will feature a variety of
artwork, including 3D sculptures, acrylics, oils, and collages. Supporting local artists
through programs like WRAP is central to WAA’s mission to foster a thriving arts
community.

Submissions Still Accepted
The final date for online entries for the WRAP exhibit is Sunday, April 20, 2025. Entries
can also be submitted in person during the artwork drop-off on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
For more details about submitting art, visit WRAP 2025 (May) — Whitewater Arts Alliance.

Special Watercolor Workshop
Artist and WRAP juror Tom Jewell will host a watercolor workshop titled “How to
Develop Composition in Your Paintings” on Saturday, May 3, from 9 am-12 pm. The
workshop will take place prior to the Awards Reception in the afternoon, providing an
excellent opportunity to develop new skills before the celebration.

During the workshop, Tom will share examples of composition techniques from his own
artwork and guide participants in creating cohesive compositions. Jewell says, “Good
composition is the backbone of any successful painting. In this workshop, I’ll not only
share techniques to create balanced and engaging compositions, but also help
participants bring their own ideas to life. Together, we’ll lay the groundwork for paintings
that truly resonate.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring ideas or photos to work from, as Tom will provide
personalized feedback to each participant. Refreshments will be provided. The cost for
those who do not have work in the WRAP Exhibit is $10 per person, which includes all
supplies and refreshments. The cost is free for those exhibiting work in the WRAP
exhibit as their entry fee includes workshop admission. Space is limited, so early
registration is encouraged. Visit whitewaterarts.org/wrap-2025 to reserve your spot.

Awards Reception
Later that day, join us from 12 pm-4 pm for the Awards Reception, where we’ll celebrate
the accomplishments of participating artists and bring the arts community together.

Exhibit Hours
The WRAP exhibit will be open to the public Thursdays through Sundays, from
12 pm-4 pm throughout May. Admission is free, and for those unable to attend in person,
the exhibit will also be available to view online.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance invites the entire community to experience the 2025
WRAP Exhibition and support the talented artists of Wisconsin. For more details about
the exhibition or workshop, visit whitewaterarts.org.

For more information, please contact:
Kim Adams, Gallery Director, Whitewater Arts Alliance
Phone: 608-201-2151
Email: wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterarts.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wwartsalliance
“Celebrating the Arts and Creating Community!”

Register today for our hands on course covering Stop the Bleed and First Aid! Registration links [open until May 5] are listed below.

Individual Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/WI/whitewater-wi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM2Mzc1MTQ=

Group Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/WI/whitewater-wi/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM2Mzc1NDc=

Greetings from UW-Whitewater Department of Theatre/Dance!

The last theatre production of the 2024/25 season is right around the corner, and we are pleased to offer volunteer opportunities! UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre/Dance is holding a production of NO EXIT in the Hicklin Studio Theatre on April 25, 26, 27 and May 1, 2, 3. We have volunteer spots open for ushers at the event. Ushers play a crucial role in creating a positive experience for our guests. This opportunity is open to all. 

Ushering is a great way to support UW-Whitewater students and the future of theatre and dance. Plus, you can see the show for free!

Duties of an usher include: greeting guests and guiding them to their seats, scanning tickets, and helping monitor in-house distractions. 

Ushers are expected to arrive one hour prior to the event in professional attire. View the link for more details or to sign up now.

Where to report: Ushers will come to the Hicklin Studio Theatre (down the ramp next to the Crossman Gallery) and report to the Audience Services Director (House Manager) once they arrive.

If you have any questions, please contact Jessica Turner, Director of Events and Marketing, at turnerj@uww.edu.

We hope to see you there!

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Remembrance of His Holiness Pope Francis

Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #257 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away on Mon., April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. The president of the United States has directed that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds in honor of Pope Francis until sunset on the day of his interment. “Pope Francis was not only an inspirational spiritual leader, but a champion for the environment, peace, the pursuit of unity through common ground, treating people with dignity, reducing poverty and greed, and shared responsibility through community,” said Gov. Evers. “His passing is a loss for followers of the Catholic faith and many people around the world. Consistent with the president’s order, Wisconsin will join in lowering the flags in honor of Pope Francis’ legacy and memory.”

Some months ago, the Whitewater Cinemas had reduced their hours to just weekends; however, now the theater is open every day except for Monday, with extra hours during the day. There’s a Tuesday special with $5 admission for all showings.

The Whitewater Banner provides a “helpful link” on our website to the cinemas’ website: helpful links/entertainment & fun/whitewatercinemas