Editor’s note: The following is from Katy Katzman’s Facebook page and is shared with her permission.
After 26 years as Whitewater High School’s FFA advisor, Mr. Majors retired at the end of the school year, leaving a legacy that reaches far beyond agricultural education. He was there for the big moments, the little moments, and the countless ones behind the scenes.
Jake, Elizabeth, and Aaron were all proud members of FFA under Mr. Major’s leadership, and our family is grateful for the guidance, encouragement and opportunities he gave each of them.
In honor of his retirement and his years of service to our community, Katzman Farms is hosting a cereal drive for the Community Space July 11-18. For every box of cereal donated, Katzman Farms will donate one half gallon of KempCows whole milk. Milk is Mr. Majors’ favorite dairy product, and you can’t enjoy cereal without milk!
Cereal donations may be dropped off at the drive-up rear of The Community Space. 834 E. Milwaukee Street, during the following times:
Saturday, July 11 – 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 – 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 – 3:30 to 6:45 p.m. Saturday, July 18 – 8:30 to 11:45 a.m.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh announces spring 2026 graduates
The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s 152nd spring commencement celebrated the achievements of 1,100 students in two ceremonies May 16 inside Kolf Sports Center. Recognized for earning doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s or associate degrees, the new graduates joined the ranks of more than 100,000 UWO alumni.
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive at the Whitewater Public Library on Friday, July 17 between 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. It is open to the public.
Give the gift of life—donate blood and make a real difference in your community. Appointments are encouraged, walk-ins welcome.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
Above: Members of the AMA Whitewater case competition presentation team from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater celebrate their first-place finish at the 2026 AMA International Collegiate Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell Productions.
Above: AMA Whitewater’s case competition presentation team (left to right) Rafa Alvarez-Reyes, Fischer Hansen, Alexia Lewis, Alex Brokaw, Gaby Matamoros, and Brenden Lewandowski at the 2026 AMA International Collegiate Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell Productions.
Above: Members of AMA Whitewater gather at the 2026 AMA International Collegiate Conference in Chicago, Illinois, where the chapter earned first place in the Collegiate Case Competition along with multiple additional awards. Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell Productions.
Students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) American Marketing Association chapter (AMA Whitewater) earned international recognition, winning first-place in the AMA Collegiate Case Competition at the AMA International Collegiate Conference (ICC) in Chicago, Illinois from March 12-14.
The AMA Collegiate Case Competition is a year-long, national academic challenge that tasks marketing students with developing a comprehensive, research-backed marketing strategy for a real-world client. This year’s competition was co-sponsored by Major League Baseball and Deloitte Digital. Teams spent months conducting research, analyzing market conditions, and building a full strategic marketing plan before submitting a full report in December. Out of 110 teams internationally, AMA Whitewater advanced to the final 11 and was ultimately named the overall winner after presenting their work live to MLB and Deloitte executives at ICC.
The final presentation team included Brenden Lewandowski (Junior, Business Analytics BBA), Alex Brokaw (Junior, Marketing BBA), Alexia Lewis (Senior, Marketing BBA), Gaby Matamoros (Senior, Business Analytics BBA), and Fischer Hansen (Sophomore, Management BBA). The team delivered a 25-minute presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session with industry judges.
“Being a part of AMA Whitewater’s case team has taught me a lot about perseverance and hard work,” said Lewandowski. “This now being my third year, I understood what was ahead of me, a year-long project that ends in a fully memorized presentation in front of marketing professionals.”
“Ending my senior year with an experience like this is something I will carry with me forever,” said Matamoros. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude, pride, and emotion. This journey reminded me that growth happens when you step into spaces that scare you. What most people don’t see are the early mornings, late nights, constant revisions, and moments where we questioned if we were good enough. This journey pushed me further than I ever expected, not just academically or professionally, but personally.”
The presentation team was supported by a larger group of students who played a critical role in developing the written strategy and presentation materials. Rafa Alvarez-Reyes (Senior, Marketing BBA), Mallory Michalski (Senior, Human Resource Management BBA), Raina Rogne (Senior, Accounting BBA & Human Resource Management BBA), Celina Arteaga (Senior, Marketing BBA), Caitlyn Murphree (Senior, Marketing BBA & Management BBA), Ava Sterbin (Junior, Marketing BBA), Emily Morales (Senior, Accounting BBA), Victoria Catarella (Senior, Marketing BBA), Dakota Senkbiel (Senior, Marketing BBA), Ansh Dhingra (Senior, Marketing BBA), Spencer Wiersma (Senior, Marketing BBA), and Zane Bluhm (Junior, General Business BBA) are among, but not limited to, the larger team of contributors. The team was advised by Lauren Drury and Andy Dahl.
Lauren Drury, the lead advisor for the case team, said “The case, sponsored by Major League Baseball (MLB) and Deloitte Digital, required months of work. The team received the case brief in October, submitted a 40-page marketing plan in December, and advanced to finals in January. With just six weeks to prepare, the shortest timeline in the years I’ve known, they delivered a polished presentation and handled a live Q&A with VPs and Executives from MLB and Deloitte. Proud to advise this team and see their hard work pay off in such a big way!”
“It’s always fun to win anything, but winning the case competition really hits different,” said Alvarez-Reyes, former co-president of AMA Whitewater. “It’s probably the hardest thing we do in the chapter, but also the most worthwhile. You learn the most from it, and I’m glad it worked out for us this year.”
In addition to the case competition victory, AMA Whitewater also earned multiple accolades throughout the conference. The chapter took first place in the Marketing Week competition, recognizing a week-long series of themed programming and content created by the organization. The award-winning report was developed by co-presidents Alvarez-Reyes and Michalski.
The chapter also placed second in the Recruitment Video competition, with a video written, directed, and produced by Marek Lisiecki (Sophomore, Marketing BBA).
AMA Whitewater also excelled in individual events, sending twelve students to the final round of the Perfect Pitch Competition (out of 590+ competitors) and placing seven finalists in the Sales Competition (out of 168 competitors), further demonstrating the depth of talent within the chapter. Michael Van Offeren (Senior, Finance BBA) took second place in the Perfect Pitch Competition and 3rd place in the Sales Competition. Taylor Wojcinkski and Abby Zimmerman (Junior, Marketing BBA) earned 4th and 5th place in the sales competition, respectively.
This marks another milestone in AMA Whitewater’s continued success at the international level. The chapter is a 15-time consecutive International Chapter of the Year winner, solidifying its reputation as one of the top-performing collegiate AMA organizations in the country.
More About AMA Whitewater:
AMA Whitewater is a student run marketing organization residing within the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics. The club is one of the most decorated AMA collegiate chapters in the world, winning 21 total “International Chapter of the Year” titles, 15 of which have come consecutively. The club meets on Wednesday at 4 PM in Timmerman auditorium, and is always accepting new members. Anyone interested in joining AMA should contact Taylor Wojcinski (WojcinskTM25@uww.edu)
More about the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE):
Wisconsin’s largest business college, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics, is home to the #1 ranked online Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State, of single schools. The College of Business and Economics offers a rich breadth of co-curricular activities to enhance student development and learning outcomes. CoBE is in the top 1% of the world’s business schools, earning both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the UW-Whitewater College of Business & Economics.
For more than a half century, Drum Corps International, Marching Music’s Major League™, has been the leader in producing events for the world’s finest marching ensembles for musicians and performers of all ages. A non-profit entity was officially established in 1972, and today DCI supports numerous programs around the globe while sanctioning participating recognized drum corps, SoundSport® performance ensembles and DrumLine Battle™ teams performing in more than 80 competitive events that make up the annual Drum Corps International Tour.
For many years, Drum Corps International (DCI) has been returning with a great drum corps show at Perkins Stadium, 907 Schwager Drive on the UW-Whitewater campus. Whitewater holds a special place in DCI’s history, as this is where their first competition took place. This year they return on Saturday, July 11 with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. and the competition beginning at 5:45 p.m.
The lineup, subject to change, is as follows:
Reserved seating starts at $46.95. General admission tickets are $26.95. [Editor’s note: Ticket prices will increase on the day of the event, but It appears that general admission tickets are not for sale in advance.] Children under 3 do not need a ticket as long as they are sitting on a lap and not taking up another seat. Please purchase your tickets in advance! Cash will NOT be accepted at the box office on the day of the event.
All Sales are FINAL. No Refunds, No Exchanges, and No Raincheck. [In previous years when there was rain, an abbreviated program was presented in the Kachel Fieldhouse.]
Select the Event “Whitewater Classic – Madison Scouts 7/11/2026”
Select the Permit Type “WW Classic – Madison Scouts 2026 ($15 / Once)
Select “Add Vehicle” and complete the form. Then select “Add”
If you have any issues, contact the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Parking Services by calling (262)472-1011 from 7:30am – 4:30pm CT, Monday – Friday or by emailing parking@uww.edu. (opens in a new tab)
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week we present a new photo of an old object. Do you know where this object is located? You can find out if you come to the White Building, 402 W. Main Street, for the Whitewater Arts Alliance July exhibit celebrating America and Whitewater 250. Called “Living Democracy,” this special exhibit was curated by Carol Cartwright and Ellen Penwelll of the Whitewater Historical Society and Pat Blackmer of the Whitewater Landmarks Commission and the Walworth County Historical Society. It runs through July 26 and is open from 12:00-4:00 Thursdays through Sundays. Don’t miss it!
The Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit (KMSFSU) in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are proud to announce the new accessible kayak launch at Ottawa Lake. Designed to improve outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors of all abilities, the accessible launch provides a safer and more convenient way for individuals with mobility challenges to enjoy Ottawa Lake. The new launch complements the area’s accessible amenities and expands recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Ottawa Lake is adjacent to the Ottawa Lake Campground, which is the most visited campground in the KMSFSU and features an accessible cabin that is reserved consistently throughout the summer. As a non-motorized lake that is a popular destination for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, Ottawa Lake is an ideal location for this important accessibility improvement. The specialized launch is designed to provide greater stability and easier transfers, helping paddlers of varying mobility levels safely enter and exit their kayaks.
The approximately $40,000 project was made possible through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Friends Grant. The grant provides up to $20,000 in matching funds per property with the remaining project costs supported through donations, donated materials, volunteer labor, and community partnerships.
Anne Korman, President of the Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, shares, “The addition of this accessible launch on Ottawa Lake is another great example of how the Friends of KMSFSU works to provide improved amenities for the visitors of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Our ability to fund this improvement project using Knowles Nelson stewardship matching dollars allowed us to stretch our money further. Our goal is to provide a high quality outdoor recreational experience to all users of this beautiful state forest, and projects like this one are a perfect example of that.”
The project reflects the Friends group’s ongoing commitment to improving outdoor access while preserving the natural beauty of the KMSFSU. The Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting a greater appreciation of the cultural and natural history of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. Through partnerships with Wisconsin DNR staff, volunteers, and community supporters, the Friends group helps preserve, restore, and enhance the forest by supporting recreation, education, accessibility, and conservation projects.
“Providing greater access to Wisconsin’s public lands is an important part of our mission,” said DNR Deputy Superintendent Colton Kelly. “The accessible kayak launch is one of the latest improvements aimed at making the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit more welcoming and accessible for visitors of all abilities. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and financial support to make this project possible.”
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The public is invited to attend and celebrate the completion of the project during a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. at the new accessible kayak launch at Ottawa Lake.
Following the ceremony, attendees are encouraged to explore the new launch, meet members of the Friends group, learn more about upcoming projects, and enjoy light refreshments. Kayakers are also invited to bring their own kayaks and experience the new launch firsthand following the ceremony.
The Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit welcomes community members, outdoor enthusiasts, and local media to attend this special celebration recognizing another milestone in making Wisconsin’s public lands more accessible. To learn more about the Friends group, upcoming events, or membership, visit www.kmsufriends.org.
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at approximately 12:58 p.m., the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a report of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of HWY 12 and CTH P in the Town of Whitewater, Walworth County, WI. Callers reported that the occupants were injured and that the vehicles were obstructing traffic.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a Toyota Highlander was westbound on HWY 12 and a Ford Explorer was eastbound on HWY 12. Witness statements and the initial investigation determined that the Ford Explorer initiated a left turn to head north on CTH P, crossing into the path of the Toyota Highlander, causing a head-on collision.
The passenger in the Toyota Highlander, a resident of the Town of Whitewater, was pronounced deceased on scene despite lifesaving efforts by first responders. The driver of the Toyota, and all occupants of the Ford, were transported by ambulance to local hospitals.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating this crash. The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the City of Whitewater Fire/EMS Department, LaGrange Fire/EMS Department, Fort Atkinson EMS, Mercy MD-1, Whitewater Police Department, UW Whitewater Police Department, Whitewater Street Department, Walworth County District Attorney’s Office, Walworth County Medical Examiner’s Office, Nitardy Funeral Home, and Rhodes Towing.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences to all who are affected by this crash.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.
Three students from Whitewater Unified School District (Emma Schultz-Majkrzak, flute & Emma Kuzoff, clarinet & Karlee Luna, bassoon) were accepted to be a part of the Wisconsin All-Stars of Music performance tour in Hawaii! July 7 was their home performance at Verona Area High School before leaving for two performances in Hawaii under the direction of Dr. Corey Pompey, associate director of bands at UW-Madison. Congratulations to the students for their hard work and dedication to their instruments!!
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Justin Kamp, band teacher at Whitewater Middle School.
Fort Community Credit Union [FCCU] is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Common Cents Kids Camp, set to take place on Thursday, July 30 from 1:00 – 5:00 pm at the FCCU Home Mortgage Store at 732 Madison Ave in Fort Atkinson.
This engaging camp aims to empower children grades 2-5 with financial skills. Participants will learn the basics of money management, budgeting, and saving in a fun, interactive environment. The camp will be taught by FCCU’s Certified Financial Coaches using hands-on activities, games, and unique experiences to reinforce what is learned.
“One of the most important investments we can make is in our children,” said Whitney Townsend, Director of Business and Community Development at FCCU. “Through the Common Cents Kids Camp, we’re helping young people develop lifelong money management skills in a way that’s interactive, exciting, and age-appropriate.”
The camp is free and open to all kids in grades 2-5. Registration can be completed online by visiting link.fortcommunity.com/3Tc8hFc. Space is limited; register today to invest in your child’s financial wellness!
Join us for an unforgettable day of fun at FCCU’s Common Cents Kids Camp, where every child can discover the joy of saving!
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Fort Community Credit Union.
