Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our first 2026 Hunter Safety Education Course on April 18, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and April 19, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at the Edgerton Conservation Club, 900 Stoughton Road, Edgerton, WI 53534. There will be an in-person introductory session on April 1, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, 200 East U.S. Highway 14, Janesville, WI 53545. Students need to attend all sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1973, is required to complete a Hunter Safety Education Course to legally hunt in Wisconsin. Students must be at least 12 years of age.
Hunter Safety Education Course
Session 1: April 1, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. @ Rock County Sheriff’s Office Session 2: April 18, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club Session 3: April 19, from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. @ Edgerton Conservation Club
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information.
The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Michael Borgwardt at michael.borgwardt@co.rock.wi.us.
Editor’s note: The Rock County Sheriff’s Department has previously informed The Banner that Rock County residency is not required in order to participate in their classes.
Emma Allamian, a Communication Sciences and Disorders MS major from Whitewater, WI, was recognized on February 5-6 at the 2026 Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology [SLP] and Audiology Association (WSHA) annual convention in Pewaukee.
Allamian earned second place in the Knowledge Bowl Competition
The convention is a gathering of speech-language pathologists, audiologists and speech, language and hearing scientists in Wisconsin.
Five students from UW-Whitewater’s communication sciences and disorders undergraduate and graduate programs won awards and/or presented at the convention.
Professor Lynn Gilbertson, associate professor Michael Hammer, and assistant professor Cody Busch served as mentors to the students on their presentations.
UW-Whitewater’s communication sciences and disorders program, housed in the College of Education and Professional Studies, includes undergraduate and graduate programs. The department also operates the UW-Whitewater Center for Communicative Disorders. For more information, visit uww.edu/coeps/comdis.
The first Whitewater High School Model UN Banquet took place at Fanatico’s restaurant. During the 2025-26 Model UN season, the team attended three Model UN conferences: the Madison Model United Nations, Arrowhead High School Model United Nations, and the four-day Model United Nations Conference at the University of Chicago.
Students are asking questions to Dr. Paul Poast, from the University of Chicago, whose work has been featured in several major news outlets, including the New York Times and The Atlantic. (L-R) Madelyn Taylor, Camdyn Avila, Dr. Paul Poast, Ameera Lin, Cyrus HudecWHS MUNUC Advisors with former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp. (L-R) Mr. Gregory Stewart, Ms. Liberty Cunningham, US Senator Heidi Heitkamp, and Ms. Maddy Blain
Model United Nations (MUN) at the high school level is an educational simulation where students role-play as diplomats to research, debate, and resolve international issues. Its purpose is to improve critical thinking, public speaking, negotiation, and leadership skills, while promoting global citizenship and understanding of the UN’s role in international relations.
At a Model United Nations conference, students gain in-depth knowledge of foreign policies, international law, and complex global challenges. Students act as ambassadors representing specific countries, requiring them to defend policies and perspectives that may differ from their own.
(L-R) Bastian Portales, Melody Smith, Madelyn Taylor, Emma Schultz-Majkrzak, Ameera LinHolding up T-Shirts from the Model United Nations banquet: (L-R) Bastian Portales, Melody Smith, Ameera Lin, Emma Schultz-Majkrzak, Madelyn Taylor
Model UN provides a platform for students to engage with global issues, learn about the United Nations, and develop skills necessary for future careers in law, government, and business.
Some of the award winners include:
Maya Davis – Best Delegate
Melody Smith – Best Position Paper
Camdyn Avila – Most Improved Delegate
Emma Schultz-Majkrzak – Most Improved Delegate
Kyan Fajardo – Rising Delegate
Bastian Portales – Rising Delegate
Cyrus Hudec – Future MUN Leader
Ameera Lin – Best Debater
Madelyn Taylor – Active Participation
Juliana Cortez – Active Participation
Serina Soto – Active Participation
Jesse Kezong – Active Participation
Best Delegate -Maya Davis Speaking at MADMUN
Whitewater High School Model UN Advisors Maddy Blain, Liberty Cunningham, and Gregory Stewart would like to thank WHS Principal Brent Mansky, Athletic/Activities Director Michael Dowden, WHS Secretary Ms. Becky Skindingsrude, Nelson’s Bus Service, and the parents for their support of this program.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart Whitewater High School Model UN Advisor gstewart@wwusd.org
Live Life Spiritual Direction invites individuals around the world to join Cultivating Peace Within, a heartfelt virtual event dedicated to nurturing inner peace and uplifting collective well-being. This free online experience will take place Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm CT via Zoom.
In a time when stress, division, and uncertainty seem to dominate headlines, there remains a growing movement of people committed to nurturing harmony, compassion, and peace. Cultivating Peace Within offers a supportive space for participants to explore these qualities through reflective discussion and meditation — guided by seasoned spiritual facilitator Denise Maple of Live Life Spiritual Direction.
“Peace begins within each one of us,” said Denise Maple, founder of Live Life Spiritual Direction. “When we strengthen our inner calm and presence, we raise the vibrational field of the planet. This gathering is a chance to deepen our connection to peace, together.” Numerous studies show that peace meditations lower violent crime in the intended area.
The one-hour session will feature:
A welcoming group conversation on how inner peace impacts our lives and communities
Guided meditation to anchor participants in mindful presence
Practical insights for integrating peace into daily living
An inclusive, heart-centered atmosphere designed for all backgrounds and experience levels
This event is part of Live Life Spiritual Direction’s and the Wellness Collective’s ongoing commitment to wellness, mindful living, and authentic connection. Past events from the organizations have focused on collective well-being, meditation, and inner transformation — empowering individuals to become more conscious co-creators of peace in their lives and the world.
For more information, please contact Denise Maple at 262-724-0064 or denise@livelifespiritual.com
About Live Life Spiritual Direction Live Life Spiritual Direction is where soul-centered wisdom meets practical, grounded guidance. Led by Denise Maple a mind-body-spirit coach who serves as a spiritual life coach, bioe ergetic testing practitioner, Reiki Master, and holistic business coach—this work is rooted in the belief that you deserve to live authentically, vibrantly, and in alignment with who you truly are. Denise welcomes clients at her cozy office on Main Street in Whitewater, Wisconsin, as well as virtually.
Denise founded Live Life Spiritual Direction to help people move beyond merely surviving and step into a life where they can thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Her approach blends deep spiritual training with over 30 years of business leadership and teaching experience.
As a former Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Illinois, honored as a Teacher Rated as Excellent by Students and a Dean’s Impact Award recipient, Denise brings a rare blend of heart, intuition, and grounded expertise. She serves as a compassionate guide to help you unearth and live the Song of Your Soul—so you can expand into your fullest potential with clarity, joy, and confidence.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office indicates that the Whitewater area is at a “slight risk” of seeing 1+” hail this evening, primarily before 7 p.m.
Storms will continue after 7 PM and evolve into congealed clusters that will diminish the hail threat late in the evening.
Storms will diminish and move out between 11 PM and 1 AM Wednesday.
From Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 8, 26 members of Ferradermis put their new 2026 robot CEO (Chief Excavation Officer) to the test on the field at Lakeland University. Lakeland played host to 33 Wisconsin teams for the first ever Wisconsin District Event. Over the course of the last year, Wisconsin has transitioned from a “regional” model of competition to a “district” model of competition. In essence, this means that Wisconsin FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Teams will now play in-state to a State Championship with teams earning a berth to the Houston World Championships via their performance at State. This transition was possible because of the growing popularity of the program in the state; Wisconsin is now home to 72 FRC teams.
The team gathers for a photo after receiving the Innovation in Control Award
The 2026 FRC game, like the FLL and FTC games from the fall, is based on an archeology theme. In the case of the FRC game, Rebuilt, the game brings back field elements and game pieces reminiscent of games played over the last 25 years of FIRST. The only game piece this year is a bright yellow solid foam ball called fuel, just like the yellow whiffle balls from Ferradermis’ rookie year in 2017. There are 504 pieces of fuel on the field at any one ti
me, leading to complete chaos and the likelihood that robots will go “fuel surfing” by ending up entirely beached on top of multiple pieces of fuel. Alliance partners often have to give each other’s robot a nudge to get their robots off the top of the fuel field.
The performance of CEO improved greatly over the course of the event as the pit crew including sophomore Jayden Kehrer, lead programmer Ace Hudec, and mentor Quinn McKenzie continued to make slight adjustments to electrical, mechanical, and coding aspects of the robot between matches. The robot relies heavily on computer vision through use of a Limelight camera to spot April Tags (like QR codes) on the field to automatically calculate the angle of its shots.
Getting InspectedTaking the FieldFerradermis Shoots Fuel During a Match
The drive team, consisting of Driver Mason Genung, Operator Erison Dreksler, Human Player Vivian Harris, Technician Owen Taylor, and Drive Coach Mark Zimmermann, led the robot onto the field for 2 practice matches and each of its 12 qualification matches. District events are designed to be smaller and run on a compacted schedule, leaving much less time between matches. At the end of qualifications, the Ferradermis robot ranked #13.
The scouting team including Emilie Bruns, Mily Zeferino-Hernandez, and Preston Miller worked diligently in the stands throughout qualifications with their scouting alliance partners Red Raider Robotics from Sheboygan North and CORE from Waukesha. The trio of teams had decided to band together to test out a new scouting app. Thank you to mentor Kevin Housel for helping Head Scouts Rae Breisath, Georgia Esch, and Zoey Ambrose learn the ins and outs of the new system. Ferradermis students cycled through hour-long scouting shifts, with each student following a particular robot in a match and entering data into the app. Students also paired up to do pit scouting, interviewing other teams in the pits about the capabilities of their robots.
Scouting AlliancePit ScoutingAlliance Selections
Alliance selections for the playoffs took place immediately after the last qualification match, and, armed with their scouting data, Ferradermis was represented on the field by Breisath, Ambrose, and Genung. The team was invited to join the #8 seeded alliance with the RoboCats from River Falls and Saber Robotics from Franklin. The *alliance was defeated in the double-elimination playoff bracket first by the eventual champion alliance led by BadgerBots from Middleton and then by the #4 seed led by Ripon Robotics.
On Saturday, the Impact Presentation Team of Al Nelson, Sam Raupp, and Cooper Housel met with a panel of judges to share a 7-minute presentation and do a 5-minute Q & A session. These students outlined all of the work that Ferradermis does to support younger students in STEM and to help create other FRC teams in the state, highlighting the over 1,500 hours of outreach that team members have logged just since June.
The Impact TeamLeadership Award NomineesWoodie Flowers Award Nominee
Also on Saturday, team FIRST Leadership Award nominees Raupp and Harris sat for their interviews with a panel of judges. The Leadership Award is the only individual student award in FIRST, and candidates need to learn to highlight their personal contributions rather than talk about what the team has accomplished.
On Sunday morning, after the mentor parade, Zimmermann was welcomed to the field as the team’s Woodie Flowers Award nominee for outstanding mentor. As is FIRST tradition, previous Woodie Flowers Finalist Award Winners, including Ferradermis Advisor Laura Masbruch, created a high-five line for the nominees. This year’s winner for the state will be announced at the State Championship event.
During Sunday’s opening ceremonies, 13 team members including Chacha Binagi, Asher Downs, and Colby Long volunteered to be part of the FIRST Wisconsin Team Choir to sing the national anthem. Also helping where they could and filling volunteer roles at the event were Alex Fletcher, Charlotte Trautman, and Frankie DiFiore who helped with field reset during Friday night’s practice matches. On Sunday, the tournament host again reached out to the team for volunteers and Trautman, DiFiore, and Carson Miller stepped up for a full day of field reset duties while Paxton Wilson and Julian Rennells helped queue robots for matches. Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman volunteered as an ambassador, giving tours to VIPs visiting the event. Housel served as the team’s media representative. Thank you to mentors Kat Dunham, Tori Breisath, and Matt Doherty for volunteering their time to help support students in the stands and in the pit. We also loved seeing Ferradermis alumni now working with other teams: Reilly Aschenbrener with Graffiti from Greendale, Jacob Lee and Rosie Aschenbrener with the Mukwonago Bears, and Peter Portwine with UPS from Milwaukee.
FIRST Team ChoirFIRST Wisconsin Senior PhotoVolunteering for Field Reset
Ferradermis is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary season in FIRST, and students planned some celebrations to highlight the milestone. After researching and finding that diamonds are a representation of the 10th anniversary, team members ordered tiaras to wear at the event. However, they wanted to share the fun with the other teams at the event marking the same milestone. The team delivered tiaras to Red Raider, Warriorbots from Muskego, and FE Freedom Engineers along with 10th anniversary cards signed by the team. In addition, the team created a series of 3D printed pit awards to be given to other teams. Teams were recognized for forging a friendship with iron-skinned Ferradermis (an award in the shape of an anvil), being the most helpful, having the best mascot, and putting safety first, among other things.
10th Anniversary Teams with tiarasDelivering the Forged Friendship Award to BEAST from Brookfield
Throughout the event, students in the pits need to be prepared to speak with roving pairs of judges that will stop by and ask questions about the team and the robot. Wildermuth-Breitzman and Safety Captain Nina Heim remained in the pit for all three days of the event, ready to discuss whatever questions the judges had. The judges were particularly interested in speaking with Hudec about the team’s control system. Under the guidance of programming mentor Andy McKenzie, the programmers have implemented a custom button board each of the last two seasons. As a result of these conversations, the team was announced as the winners of the Innovation in Control Award sponsored by nVent. This award recognizes teams with unique and effective control systems—software, electrical, or mechanical—that enhance machine performance.
Talking with a team of judgesThe Kohler Design CenterThe Kohler Art Center
Ferradermis will play in their second district event in La Crosse from April 2 – 4. The Seven Rivers District Event in La Crosse will be the fourth and final qualifying event for Wisconsin teams. All teams will play in two of the four competitions. State qualification berths will be finalized after the La Crosse event.
On the way to the event, the team took time to tour the Kohler Design Center and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor lmasbruch@wwusd.org
“The Matrix” will be featured at Wisconsin Makers’ Movie Night on Wednesday, March 11. The public is invited to attend the free showing of the film at 7 p.m. at the community makerspace, located at 200 E. Clay St. in Whitewater.
Free popcorn will be served. Pizza, soda and water will be available for $1.
Before and after the film, attendees are welcome to tour the makerspace to see what it has to offer.
The 1999 action/sci-fi film is the first installment in the Matrix film series. It stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano. The film depicts a dystopian future in which humanity is unknowingly trapped inside the Matrix, a simulated reality created by intelligent machines. The plot follows the computer hacker Neo, who is recruited by Morpheus into a rebellion against the machines.
The film will be shown on the makerspace’s 15-foot-wide movie screen with 500-watt surround-sound.
Located at the corner of Wisconsin and East Clay streets, Wisconsin Makers is a community workshop with members from Jefferson, Walworth, Rock and Waukesha counties and beyond. It houses machine, welding/fabrication, electronics, automotive, 3-D printing, laser engraving and woodworking shops. It also offers ceramics, metal art, quilting, fabric arts, matting/framing and more.
The building is accessible, and has off-street parking, Wi-Fi, and many other amenities.
For more information about Movie Night or the makerspace, contact Chris Spangler at (920) 728-2960.
Members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty will present free lectures in Whitewater and Janesville this spring. Lectures will be held in March and April and are open to all. Historians, scientists, artists, as well as some students, will share their expertise and craft in engaging talks that encourage lifelong learning for all.
In the Our Stories. Our Future. series, UW-Whitewater shares the unique and bold stories of its people — students, faculty, and staff — both historical and contemporary.
“We are coming together to celebrate our collective Warhawk story to help build the university’s future,” says Matt Vick, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. “It’s a bright narrative with plenty of pages yet to be written. This spring we join with the UWW Foundation on their campaign and present our talented faculty, staff and students as they share their experiences on campus and off.”
Lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series are held in Olm Fellowship Hall at Fairhaven Senior Services, 435 West Starin Road, Whitewater. Visit uww.edu/ce/fairhaven for more information and descriptions of each lecture.
Public lectures held in the Cedar Crest Lecture Series will take place in the Clubhouse at Cedar Crest, Inc., 1702 South River Road, Janesville. Visit uww.edu/ce/cedar-crest for lecture descriptions and updates.
Free parking is available at both locations and registration is not required.
Patrons needing accommodations should contact UW-Whitewater Continuing Education (at least two weeks before the date of the lecture). Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA.
Please contact Kari Borne at bornek@uww.edu or 262-472-1003 for further information.
UW-Whitewater’s Continuing Education has hosted lectures in the Fairhaven Lecture Series in Whitewater since 1983. The Cedar Crest Lecture Series in Janesville was established in 2020.
Lectures scheduled for Mondays at 3 p.m. at Fairhaven Senior Services in Whitewater:
March 9
From Quakers to Warhawks: The History of Intercollegiate Athletics at UW-Whitewater
Presented by Angela Kelm, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Tom Fick, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information (Retired)
March 16
On Campus Housing Through the Decades: The Evolution from Dorms to Residence Halls
Presented by Terry Tumbarello, Executive Director, University Housing
March 30
Past Plays, Present Lights: How Design Shapes Our Experience of Theatre
Presented by Matthew Imhoff, Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance
April 6
Chasing Storms: Documenting the Extreme Weather Travel Study Course
Presented by John Frye, Associate Professor, Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, Sabrina Wolf, Environmental Science Major, and Peyton Walz, Journalism Major
April 13
A Royal History: The UW-Whitewater Student Newspaper
Presented by Keith Zukas, Professor, Journalism
April 20
Stories from the Front: Letters Home from Whitewater’s WWII Soldiers
Presented by Jennifer Motszko, Head of Archives and Library Associate Director
April 27
Then & Now: The Student Experience at Rock and Whitewater
Presented by Kristin Fillhouer, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
Lectures scheduled for Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at Cedar Crest Retirement Community in Janesville:
March 10
Rooted in Tradition, Leading the Future: UW–Whitewater’s Journey in Teacher Education
Lana Collet-Klingenberg, Dean, College of Education and Professional Studies
March 17
Not Your Mother’s Art History
Ashley Dimmig, Director, Crossman Gallery
March 31
50 Years of Women’s and Gender Studies at UWW: From Challenging Androcentrism to Intersectional Advocacy
Ashley Barnes-Gilbert, Assistant Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies
April 7
Chasing Storms: Documenting the Extreme Weather Travel Study Course
John Frye, Associate Professor, Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, Sabrina Wolf, Environmental Science Major, and Peyton Walz, Journalism Major
April 14
A Royal History: The UW-Whitewater Student Newspaper
Keith Zukas, Professor, Journalism
April 21
Then & Now: The Student Experience at Rock and Whitewater
Kristin Fillhouer, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
About Continuing Education
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Department of Continuing Education is committed to meeting lifelong learning needs by offering a variety of classes, workshops and trainings that respond to the evolving personal and professional interests of adult learners. Working closely with UW-Whitewater’s School of Graduate Studies and Department of Camps and Conferences, we connect talented faculty, staff, and students from the university with residents of the region for hands-on, high-level engagement on relevant topics.
EVENTS THIS WEEK! Join us at a pop-up event tomorrow and/or Wednesday! The planning team will be prepared to talk about Whitewater Forward, listen to your thoughts and ideas, and provide materials to share with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues!
TOMORROW! | Tuesday, March 10 | 4:00p to 5:30p | University Center (190 Hamilton Green Way) Editor’s note: There is a fee for parking on the campus; click here for information.
Wednesday, March 11 | 11:00a to 1:30p | Innovation Center (1221 Innovation Drive)
NEW POLL ON THE WEBSITE!
This month’s poll brings the focus to housing in Whitewater. Take a moment and visit theproject websitetoday to submit your answers to the new monthly poll, share your ideas or concerns on the interactive map, and learn about upcoming events you can attend!
Can’t make it to the events this week? Join us in April for the Design Workshop! More information is on the project website.
Thank you for your commitment to the future of Whitewater!
