News

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion regarding Arboretum signage, Discussion and update regarding tree tags, Discussion and possible approval of Territorial Tree Playground ideas, and Presentation and Discussion from Jaime Wiegel regarding the Whitewater Effigy Mounds.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Whitewater High School Library, 534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda: 221.1, Recruitment and Appointment of Administrators and Coordinators; 222.1, Administrator Contracts

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Monday @ 6:30 p.m. Closed session – 7:00 p.m. – Open Session
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
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6:30 p.m. via Zoom Online – CLOSED SESSION to consider the findings and conclusions of a personnel investigation concerning a specific previous support staff member and to discuss the conduct of a specific certified staff member.
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– Passcode: 454314
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 837 4542 5111
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Open Session
Agenda (Click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes 2024-2025 Calendar Approval.
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
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– Passcode: 452162
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 890 0805 3362
– Passcode: 452162

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
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 click the link below to join the webinar:
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Editor’s note: The following press release was received from The Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc.

The Friends of Lorine Niedecker, Inc. is dedicated to preserving and expanding the legacy of Lorine Niedecker, a preeminent 20th century Wisconsin poet. Our organization offers access to research archives and educational materials, and publishes The Solitary Plover, a semiannual newsletter, and What Region, a monograph series. More information about this organization can be found at https://lorineniedecker.org/

The Friends of Lorine Niedecker will host a reading by the poets published in the Winter 2024 Solitary Plover on Thursday, February 29 at 6:30 p.m. CST.

We invite you to join us for this virtual reading conducted on Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86490079677?pwd=qca05GzRcVegmGK6YarutYSa4VhkeU.1

Meeting ID: 864 9007 9677

Passcode: 520557

Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser

The agenda for the Whitewater Unified School District Legislative Breakfast was as follows:

1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

• A. Introduce Wisconsin State Legislators and Whitewater School Board Members – Larry Kachel, School Board President

2. DISTRICT UPDATE

• A. Welcome – Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent

3. SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIORITIES & PROPOSED LEGISLATION

• A. Mental Health Supports & Special Education Funding – Dr. Lanora Heim, Director of Pupil Services
• B. 2023 Senate Bill 973 – Dr. Lanora Heim, Director of Pupil Services
• C. Multilingual Services Funding – Melania Argueta Borchert, Multilingual Services Coordinator
• D. State Funding for Post-Secondary Options for Students – Brent Mansky, High School Principal

• E. ACT 20 Timeframe/Implementation – Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching and Learning

4. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Members of the Whitewater High School FIRST Robotics Competition Team Ferradermis advocated for their program to state officials at the Wisconsin State Capitol in hopes of expanding the team and the opportunities available to students.

Organized by FIRST, a global youth-serving nonprofit organization advancing STEM education in K-12 schools, the event featured several teams and groups with similar interests in promoting science and technology programs to lawmakers. 

Seven WHS students led meetings with senators and their representatives at the Capitol Rotunda to discuss the costs of supporting a program like theirs and how large the return on investment is for participants. In an interview, Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman, Ferradermis team captain, told WMTV-15 News that public speaking, community outreach, and building partnerships with sponsors are skills students could only learn and practice through the robotics program. 

“We have classes where we need to make presentations, but nothing prepares you for this level of outreach unless you’re actually doing it,” Cosette said.

The program costs approximately $70,000 annually, including the cost of the team’s robot-building supplies and transportation to competitions. This money is largely raised through grants and sponsorships, but by lobbying with lawmakers for more funding, Ferradermis is hoping to expand its team with more female participants. The team also aims to provide access to the program to underrepresented communities in Wisconsin. 

“This was such a great experience for the team,” said Laura Masbruch, Ferradermis team advisor and coach. “Our students spoke with actual state senators, some for 45 minutes, about this club that has really transformed for some into a passion. I’m proud of how the team represented WHS and our community, and all the hard work they continue to demonstrate in our program.”

To learn more about Ferradermis or to become a sponsor, please visit www.ferradermis.org. 

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Department of Theatre and Dance.

Set in the vibrant nightlife of 1940s Chicago, “Pal Joey” follows the captivating journey of Joey Evans, a charismatic yet flawed nightclub performer who is determined to make it big. 

With a dream in his heart and a knack for seduction, Joey embarks on a whirlwind adventure, navigating a treacherous web of romance, power struggles, and the pursuit of his own dreams.

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Book by John O’Hara
Directed by Bruce Cohen

“Pal Joey” will be performed by UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Barnett Theatre Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 29-March 2. Friday & Saturday, 2/23-24 @ 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 2/25 @ 2:00 p.m., Thursday & Friday, 2/29 – 3/1, 7:30 p.m., Saturday 3/2, 2:00 p.m.

“Pal Joey,” written in 1940, is one of many Rodgers and Hart musicals to run on Broadway. It tells the story of a young nightclub performer named Joey Evans with an ambitious dream of one day owning his own nightclub, and seemingly no limits to what he will do to achieve this desire. His large goals and manipulative tactics get suddenly entangled with lust and jealousy when he begins deceptively charming women and letting his selfishness blind him.

UW-Whitewater’s 2024 production encapsulates the show’s unique and complex character relationships and gives new life to a beloved 1940s classic.

This play contains themes and theatricalized depictions that some may find troubling. It is intended for adult audiences and mature sensibilities.

Sarah Keller from Whitewater, WI, a Music major, is one of many students involved in the outstanding production of “Pal Joey” at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Keller will play the role of Janet / Understudy Vera Simpson, as a part of the Cast.

“It has been a pleasure to work on the show,” said show director Bruce Cohen, an associate professor of theatre and dance. “It is the most dance-intensive musical that we’ve mounted in the seven years I’ve been here at UW-Whitewater. The students are having a blast.”

Cohen goes on to explain the careful thought that went into the selection process for a show of this nature.

“This show presents a higher degree of triple-threat – singing, dancing, and acting – performance skills than many contemporary shows. This is so important for our students to have experience with.”

Students involved in the show have expressed a strong sense of pride in their strongly-built community.

“I have found that this cast has a lot of theatre majors and non-theatre majors and through that experience, [it] makes the diversity of the cast and perspectives very eye-opening,” said Caitlyn Dickman, who plays the role of Linda English in the production. “Everyone has learned to grow together and become one as a family in bringing this story to life!”

Tickets are available in advance through Ticket Services.  Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for age 65+, $13 for under age 18. There is a $2 per ticket surcharge when purchased at the door.

UW-Whitewater’s Department of Theatre/Dance produces five shows per academic year. For more information, visit uww.edu/theatre.

It’s Movie Awards Season and Seniors in the Park will be presenting many nominated and winning films over the coming months!

“Maestro”

Tuesday, February 27, 1 p.m.

(Biography/Drama/History/Music/Romance)

2 hours, 9 minutes (2023)

A love story chronicling the lifelong relationship of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein and his wife/actress Felicia Cohn. Written, directed, and starring Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan.

Many Golden Globe nominations and much Oscar buzz for this film. 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

For the last of our “Gone but not Forgotten” series of images, we present the Territorial Oak, just recently lost to disease. At the foot of the photo is Ruth Engebretsen Dorr, who spearheaded a drive to place a marker for the tree in 1962.

The territorial oak was mentioned specifically in 1836 surveyor’s notes when the Whitewater area was surveyed prior to it being opened for sale from the U. S. Government. A large burr oak tree at the time, it was recognized as a local landmark as early as the 1930s.

Disease and age took its toll on the tree in recent years and it had to be cut down. But, the city will memorialize the tree in Starin Park and it will be truly “Gone but not Forgotten.”

Join us next week for more historic images from the Whitewater Historical Society.

(3341P, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and the BCSP Foundation proudly announce the annual awarding of scholarships to deserving students enrolled in collegiate programs aligned with the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) designation. These scholarships, known as Qualified Academic Program (QAP) Scholarships, support students pursuing degrees in the Safety, Health, and Environmental fields at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate levels. QAPs undergo rigorous evaluation by BCSP, ensuring alignment with the Associate Safety Professional (ASP) examination blueprint. Graduates of QAPs are eligible to pursue the Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP) credential, a vital step towards obtaining the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) certification. Notably, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health program holds dual accreditation from both QAP and ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), underscoring its commitment to excellence in safety education.

This year, two students from UW-Whitewater have won the BCSP QAP Scholarship! Christopher Gomez and James Groehler were 2 out of 40 students nationwide selected for this honor. Safety professor Alvaro Taveira (Ph.D., CSP, CPE) was delighted to hear this news and optimistic for their future. He said, “I am very proud of Chris and James for winning this prestigious scholarship. I have enjoyed working with them in class and know their work ethic and passion for the profession. These jobs are in high demand, and our program has an excellent placement rate, so I see a bright future ahead.” 

            The UW-Whitewater Occupational Environmental Safety and Health Department is housed in the College of Business and Economics (CoBE). Based on data from 2021, graduates from this program have a 97% job placement rate within six months post-graduation and a median starting salary of $70,000. 

            Christopher Gomez is extremely grateful for his education at UW-Whitewater and the opportunities CoBE and OESH have granted him. “One of my favorite resources is career services. I am learning to be a good interviewer, how to “sell myself,” and how to write a stellar resume. This has helped me become more confident in my professional abilities. The quality of my education in this program is unmatched. I particularly enjoy going into the field and being out in the safety world, experiencing things and learning hands-on.” 

Professor Taveira has been part of the UW-Whitewater OESH faculty for almost 25 years. During this time, he has seen many program graduates enjoy bright careers. He attributes much of this success to the internship opportunities available to the safety students. “CoBE allows students to find internships during their time, even multiple for some, to give the students real-world experience and to help them narrow down the industry they like the most before committing to a full-time position.” 

This holds true for scholarship winner James Groehler. He said, “My post-graduate plan is to continue working as a Site Safety Manager for Blattner Energy. Getting to travel across the United States and manage safety for our renewable energy construction projects has been a goal of mine since my first internship in renewable energy in the summer of my sophomore year.”

Congratulations to Christopher and James on the BCSP QAP Scholarship! We can’t wait to see you continue to shine in your future endeavors!

Read more about the scholarship and recipients here. 

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 and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. The Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health offers a  Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety (both face-to-face and online), a Master of Science in Environmental Safety and Health (100% online), and an MBA with an emphasis in environmental safety and health. These programs are also ABET-accredited and recognized as Qualified Academic Programs by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools, earning both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the League of Women Voters Whitewater Area.

The League of Women Voters Whitewater Area will hold a training session on voter registration education and assistance on Saturday, March 2, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m., in the Starin Park Senior Center in Whitewater, 504 West Starin Road. The training is open to League members and anyone in the general public interested in helping staff League voter registration assistance and information tables during the 2024 election cycle. You do not have to be a League member to help us with this important civic work!

The League’s former voter services chair, Julia Ross, who has years of voter registration experience, will provide the training and a brief introduction to Badger Books, which are electronic poll books to be used for the first time in Whitewater in the Spring Election on April 2nd.

If you have never assisted others with voter registration information or would just like to brush up on your skills, please attend! League voter service activities are fun and rewarding experiences. This year, the League will also have a presence in local high schools.

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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!

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Roberta’s Art Gallery.

EXHIBIT BASED ON BLACK EXCELLENCE, CULTURE, AND NOSTALGIA TO BE DISPLAYED AT ROBERTA’S ART GALLERY 

 Celebrate Black History Month at Roberta’s Art Gallery with “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression,” by UW-Whitewater’s Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) student organization. This exhibit, expressing Black nostalgia and important art influences in music, hair, art, and literature, opens Feb. 15 and will be on display until March 20. 

LIT is a Black and Brown-led independent nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen young minds by developing independent leadership skills to address social, racial, and economic justice. LIT engages in values-based issues, leadership development, public policy advocacy, electoral organizing, and direct action. Their exhibit, “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression,” is a comprehensive exploration of a curated selection of influential Black artists, musicians, poets, and writers whose profound contributions have significantly shaped Black and mainstream culture. “We hope that each visitor can fully immerse themselves in this enriching and thought-provoking experience and marvel at the diverse facets of Black culture presented before them,” says LIT President Honey Cawthorn. “We want viewers to understand the strength of the African American community.” Beyond art, “Embodiment of Ebony: A Fusion of Art & Expression” will also feature a special presentation on Black hair experiences, incorporating a dedicated Black hair salon.

The reception will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. where UW-Whitewater alumnus DeLon Blanks and current UW-Whitewater student and Barber Lee Barnes Jr. will join the audience in a panel discussion and Q&A surrounding Black culture and experience. The open house will begin at 7 p.m. and will include samples of Black inspired soul food.

Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center at 190 Hamilton Green Way, Whitewater, Wis. The gallery collaborates with campus departments, student organizations, and community artists in coordinating and sponsoring exhibits. Roberta’s Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Roberta’s Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday.

At Roberta’s Art Gallery, we pride ourselves in providing free and open exhibits to the public, and attending certain events can earn students class credit. If you are interested in being featured in the gallery, please contact us for a proposal request. Reach us at ucart@uww.edu or 262-472-3193. Visit our website for any questions or inquiries, and follow our Instagram @uww_rag. 

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