Tom Ganser writes, “A 16 inch icicle hanging from our gas grill. Enough winter!”
Our thanks to Tom Ganser for sharing another interesting photo, which was submitted on February 21. One would guess that the icicle is probably not 16″ anymore.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
Hello, I am Nick Baldwin, a husband, father, and educator running for school board. My wife, Heather, and I have 2 children, 13 and 9, both of whom have attended school in the district since kindergarten. In our free time our family enjoys camping, fishing, building projects in the shop and cheering on the kids in their many sports, clubs and activities.
I graduated from Whitewater High School in 2000 and attended UW-Platteville from 2001 to 2005. In the Fall of 2005 I student-taught under Mike Wintz at Whitewater High School. In the Spring of 2006, I was hired at Waterford High School where I taught the remainder of that school year and all of the next. In the Fall of 2007, I started at Union Grove High School where I work to this day. In 2015, I became an adjunct professor at Gateway Technical College, teaching their dual-credit automotive and small engine classes at the high school level. I have a B.S. in Technology Education from UW-Platteville, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. I also hold automotive certifications from ASE, and a general-class amateur radio license from the FCC.
I’ve always worked to help our district in the best ways I knew how. In the past, I have served on the Whitewater High School Technology Education Advisory Board. During that time, another member of that board and I were able to crowd-source thousands of dollars of funding for a new CNC router and power miter saw to be donated to the high school shops. The tools are now an integral part of the curriculum and are used by clubs such as Ferradermis. Those tools are a testament to the wonderful support that our community has for our schools when they are in need.
I believe that the Whitewater community is unique in its ability and desire to support our schools. In the past several years I have witnessed an outpouring of support for our students and staff at monthly school board meetings. I know that we can come together to help our district raise our test scores, improve staff and student morale, provide parents and community members with clear, concise, and transparent communications, and grow the necessary curricula to best prepare our students for life after high school. Please consider voting for me, Nick Baldwin, April 1.
Editor’s note: The Whitewater Banner offered the School Board candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves to our readers. Responses will be published in the order they are received.
Eleven Whitewater Unified School District students have been selected for publication in this year’s edition of “Southern Lakes Anthology.”
The annual competition showcases original art and writing from 3rd-8th grade students across more than 30 school districts in southeastern Wisconsin. The theme for this year’s anthology was “The Power Of,” with students encouraged to explore the concept through creating poetry, prose, expository writing, illustrated writing, art, and cartoons.
WUSD Advanced Learning Specialist, Caroline Nelson, described introducing the competition saying, “I love seeing students’ enthusiasm as I reveal the annual SLA theme in classes each fall. They immediately begin brainstorming ideas and making connections to their lives. This year, students were able to apply the theme “The Power Of” to concepts such as self-worth, friendship, historical achievements of women, and chemistry. I look forward to celebrating our published authors and artists at the reception taking place this Spring.”
Over 90 WUSD students submitted their work for review, and after an initial round of district judging, 24 pieces advanced to the regional level. On January 29, WUSD educators Sara Brautigam, Caroline Nelson, and Kathy Retzke joined over 100 fellow judges to review more than 900 submissions and select the top entries for publication.
“We are thrilled to congratulate our incredible students whose work was chosen for publication in the 2024 Southern Lakes Anthology,” said WUSD Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “These students demonstrated creativity, dedication, and perseverance in crafting their pieces, often seeking feedback from peers and teachers to refine their work.”
Below is the list of published authors from WUSD:
3rd Grade: ● Josie Chaphalkar, Lincoln – “The Beauty of Nature” (Illustrated Writing) ● Evelyn Brockwell, Lakeview – “The Galaxy’s Strength” (Art) ● Charlie Pieper, Washington – “Molecules of Might” (Art) ● Sofia Cerillo, Washington – “I am Sofia”
5th Grade: ● Neema Kejo, Washington – “I Wish I…” (Poetry) ● Jamie Hoffman, Lakeview – “The Forest Life” (Art)
These students will be honored at a recognition reception at UW-Whitewater in May, celebrating their achievements alongside other published young authors and artists from the region.
In addition to the published selections, the following students had their work submitted for regional judging and earned honorable mention:
The League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Whitewater Area will participate in two fundraisers in the upcoming two weeks. Funds raised will support the LWV’s educational outreach efforts, and the events will provide an opportunity for the LWV to reach a wider audience.
The first fundraiser is a BINGO Night, hosted by the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties at The Real MacCoy’s, N1431 County Road N, Whitewater on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 6:00 pm. Ten percent from the sales of the BINGO cards and fifty percent of the cash raffle will go to the LWV.
The second fundraiser is Share Night, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Culver’s, 1414 W Main Street, Whitewater. LWV members will deliver food orders to cars and tables, and assist with keeping the restaurant area clean. Culver’s will donate 10% of the sales made during that time to the organization. LWV will also staff a booth at the event to share information about voter registration and the April 1, 2025 election.
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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. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
City of Whitewater Board of Canvass – Monday @ 8:30 a.m. The board will certify the election results from February 18. Where: City of Whitewater Municipal Building, Community Room, 312 W. Whitewater St.
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion and possible action related to the Territorial Oak and Discussion and possible action regarding landscaping guidelines. Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St *In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/605491661 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 605-491-661 United States: +1 (224) 501-3412 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Whitewater High School Library 534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin 6:00 p.m. ———————————————– 6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – CLOSED SESSION Agenda: …..to discuss employee contract and preliminary non-renewal notice. – URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81769707177?pwd=rdSFzAfIvJ5VmTaqYcNWagEtZq3Tsv.1 – Passcode: 915610 ———————————————– – Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 – Webinar ID: 817 6970 7177 – Passcode: 915610 ———————————————– Closed Session ———————————————– 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includesConsideration of Petition to Alter School District Boundaries – Milton School District, Transfer – EMLSS Coordinator to ADMINISTRATION – Associate Principal at the Middle School effective July 1, 2025, and Update on high school turf fields. – URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82261459987?pwd=aVZrWW12WHJIUmk3Zm9qTmkyb01jQT09 – Passcode: 141789 ———————————————- – Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 – Webinar ID: 822 6145 9987 – Passcode: 141789
City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Wednesday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes Executive session, followed by open session: Discussion and possible action on Pre 3 Offer to purchase vacant land located at/A444200001, Discussion and possible action LOI with the City of Whitewater and Walworth County Habitat for Humanity. ,Discussion and possible action of a development agreement with Arch Development. Whitewater Municipal Building, Cravath Community Room, 2nd Floor, 312 W Whitewater St In Person and Virtual Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88398099018?pwd=M1TbmIBJngLzV841c3jUfEAmgca3mU.1 Meeting ID: 883 9809 9018 Passcode: 950683 One tap mobile +13017158592,,88398099018#,,,,950683# US (Washington DC) +13052241968,,88398099018#,,,,950683# US Dial by your location 1 312 626 6799 US Meeting ID: 883 9809 9018 Passcode: 950683
On Saturday, February 22, the Boys’ Wrestling Team was represented by five individuals competing to advance to the WIAA State Individual State Wrestling Tournament in the Sectional Tournament hosted by Waupun. When the day ended, the boys were 12-4 with four of them punching their ticket to the Kohl Center this coming Thursday night.
Jasen Porras, Jarvis Porcaro, Connor Friend, and Traysen Thomason
Jarvis Porcaro started things off for the Whippets, winning the sectional championship, being the 3rd one to do so since 2007. Jarvis dominated his competition, wrestling extremely well all day. He started the day with a technical fall 19-2. He followed that up with a first period pin in :57. For the finals, Jarvis wrestled very well getting a takedown, which would have ended the match with a technical fall, but due to taking down two students back he was able to secure the pin.
Jasen Porras was our second student to reach the finals with a very strong day of wrestling. He started the day off with a strong victory over a young man that proved to be a tough opponent on top, but Jasen secured a second period pin. In the semifinals, Jasen weathered a little bit of a storm early but was able to just wrestle very smart and was able to secure a 8-2 decision. In the championship match, he ran into the number one student in the state and fell against a young man that proved he is worthy of the ranking. Jasen had to wrestle back to hold onto his 2nd place finish. This can be a tough task coming off a loss and the opponent coming off a win. Jasen controlled him early and secured a first period pin, thus holding onto 2nd place!
Connor Friend followed, bringing home the 2nd championship of the day. He started off with a very nice win against a student who was physically quite strong. Connor ended up getting a 3rd period pin. In the semifinals, Connor was taken down earlier which was maybe a little bit of a wakeup call as he ended up controlling the rest of the match and secured a 20-4 technical fall win. In the championship, Connor had a young man who had some nice height and length, but Connor was patient and took control early on his feet. Connor was able to secure the championship with a 9-1 major decision.
Traysen Thomason was next up for the Whippets. Traysen started the day strong with a 18-3 technical fall win. In the semi-finals, Traysen had a very good match, and with a little bit of a scramble that didn’t quite go his way he ended up dropping the match 7-4. This put him into the wrestle backs where he would need to piece together two wins to advance. His first match was against a familiar opponent from the last couple of weeks, and Traysen continued a strong game plan pinning his opponent in 1:05. This put Traysen one win from a state berth against a tall young man from Lake Country Lutheran. Traysen did very well, wrestling a smart match, and was able to secure his state berth with a 19-9 major decision.
Richi Kalra was our 5th competitor on the day. In both of his matches, he wrestled very well. In the first match he came out and got the opening takedown and then was in on a second, but the opponent made a throw as a counter, pinning Richi. In the wrestle back match, Richi had a familiar foe from Delavan. Richi wrestled extremely well on his feet, holding good position. Unfortunately, Richi saw his season end with the loss. Both of the opponents Richi lost to qualified, with the student from the first match winning the tournament and the student from the second match taking 3rd, so Richi went down and competed well against the best!
The four boys will all be competing on Thursday night, February 27, at 6:00 pm at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Article and Photo Submitted by John Schimming Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach jschimming@wwusd.org
Did you know that as of 2024, Wisconsin has had a tornado touch down in every month of the year? And severe weather can cost communities thousands of dollars in damage. Join expert storm chasers for a series of presentations to understand the weather forecast process and how to prepare for the upcoming severe weather season in order to protect yourself and your property.
All presentations are free. Join us on any or all dates. Registration is strongly encouraged but not required. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a custodial guardian.
Four Different Sessions in 2025
Session One – Why is my phone’s weather app always wrong? | Tuesday, February 25 at 6 pm
Session Two – Watches and Warnings: aren’t they all the same? | Tuesday, March 4 at 6 pm
Session Three – Why didn’t they issue warnings? | Tuesday, March 11 at 6 pm
Session Four – I lost a tree in my yard, it was a tornado, right? | Tuesday, March 18 at 6 pm
Questions? Contact Kari Borne at 262-472-1003 or bornek@uww.edu
On Friday night, February 21, Whitewater Girls’ Wrestling had three ladies competing in the Sectional hosted at Whitewater High School for their opportunity to place in the top 2 and advance to the WIAA State Wrestling Individual Wrestling Championships at the Kohl Center. To note, girls’ wrestling is all one division so it can be the smallest schools in the state vs. the largest schools in the state.
A’Lani Ross, Payton Taylor, Marianna Kubicz
Leading the way for the girls was Marianna Kubicz who wrestled her way into the championship match by starting off with a bye and then getting a strong first period pin after two great takedowns against her Janesville Craig foe. Marianna has been working hard on some technique on her feet and it showed in the semifinal match. In the championship, Marianna came out strong but ended up getting pinned. She did not have a wrestle back so she was able to hold onto her runner up finish and her ticket to Madison.
Payton Taylor was next up. Payton started the night off strong with a very nice first period pin against her Janesville Craig foe. She came out and got the early takedown and then showed her improvement over the course of the season, securing the pin. In the semi-finals, Payton dropped the match against a girl who really wrestles well. Payton was not out of the running for state just yet, but she would need to win her next match and then get some help and hope to get a wrestle back. She wrestled an outstanding match for 3rd as she just kept holding good position and wore her opponent down. Both girls were really tired, but Payton was able to dig deeper and secure the bronze medal with an 11-7 victory. Payton then got the help that she needed and the girl who had defeated her did win the championship, so Payton got a true second wrestle back to try to get to state. In this match she came out and got the opening takedown and was very close to turning the girl with just a slight movement of her body position but unfortunately went the wrong way and got pinned. This was Payton’s first year of wrestling, so with another year of experience that positioning will improve.
Closing out our girls competing was A’Lani Ross who had a difficult first round draw. Her opponent had taken 3rd at state as a freshman and was a state champion last year. This was unfortunate, as with the girls and division 1 boys if you lose your first round, you are eliminated. The Milton girl proved that she is one of the best in the state getting the first period takedown. A’Lani had a strong senior season and has nothing to be ashamed of; it was just unfortunate with the “luck of the draw.”
Sectional Runner-Up Marianna Kubicz
Marianna will be competing in Madison at the Kohl Center. Wrestling will begin at 2:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, February 27.
Article and Photos Submitted by John Schimming Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach jschimming@wwusd.org
The Whippet Swim Team finished out the season on some incredible swims at the State Meet on Friday, February 21st. Cruz Aranda started us off with a strong performance in the 200 Freestyle, finishing 14th with a time of 1:51.18. Cruz was then up in the 100 Freestyle where he swam a best time of 50.10! Myles Morse rocked his 500 Freestyle going right on his best time with a time 5:21.15. It was fun to watch his season and his high school swim career close out at the state meet!
Boys’ Swim Team Members
The relays really put on a show! In the 200 Freestyle Relay (Jack Hefty, Langdon Coburn, Mateo Bazeley, Cruz Aranda), those boys were chasing a school record and they got that school record and absolutely crushed it. The previous school record was set in 2019 with a time of 1:33.24. Each of them went out and went season best splits and broke the record by nearly 3 seconds. The school record now sits at 1:30.89! Jack Hefty led the way with a lifetime best 23.24; that time puts him 5th all-time on the Whippet Top 10 List. Langdon Coburn got under 23 seconds with a time of 22.97, Mateo Bazeley put up the fastest split with 22.19, and Cruz Aranda rounded us out with a time of 22.49.
Mateo Bazeley, Cruz Aranda, Langdon Coburn, and Jack Hefty
Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, Langdon Coburn, and Mateo Bazeley closed out the night with an 8th place finish in the 400 Freestyle Relay, dropping 7.28 seconds from last week’s sectional time with a 3:22.77. Cruz Aranda led the way with a time of 50.68, Jack Hefty posted a 50.71, Langdon Coburn went a 51.19, and Mateo brought it home with a 50.19. The boys won their heat and moved up 7 spots from their original 15th seed coming into the meet.
Congratulations to the Whippet Swim Team on a phenomenal season!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Sarah Reynolds Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu
