Michelle Abraca and Marina Linos will be joining Brooke Mason, Aidyn Amundson, Mayte Navejas, and Andrea Alcala in attending Badger Girls State in 2023! Badger Girls State is a program designed to develop leadership skills in high school students and train future stateswomen in the science of government. The program will be held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh from June 18-23. Participants are chosen for their interest in the American Government and their outstanding qualities of leadership, character, cooperativeness, dependability, and participation in extracurricular activities. Thank you to Patrick Taylor and the Breakfast Kiwanis Club for sponsoring Michelle and Marina! Congratulations!
Submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz Whitewater High School Counselor (M-Z)
Assistant Professor Andrea Romero, left, and biology major Noel Schmitz react as the counter on a motion detecting trail camera indicates some 3,000 images, but they know many will be wind-blown debris and perhaps a few joggers. Two UW-Whitewater students and their professor, who are contributing wildlife images to the Smithsonian Snapshot USA project, collected trail cameras on the campus nature preserve on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, the final day of the project. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
For Andrea Romero, the rainforests of Costa Rica have become almost a second home. She has been conducting research on the wildlife ecosystem in the Central American country for nearly two decades.
Lately, her focus has been on scavenging — how rainforest creatures use the carcasses of dead animals to maintain the circle of life in their habitat. This fall, she will turn her attention to the ecosystem cycle in a very different climate — the deserts of the Middle East — thanks to a prestigious honor she has won.
Romero, an associate professor in the departments of biology, environmental science, and women’s and gender studies at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, will be a Fulbright Scholar for the 2023-2024 academic year. Romero will spend five months in Jordan, conducting research and establishing a partnership between undergraduate students at UW-Whitewater and Jordanian university students to further the project.
“We will combine my expertise in the rainforests with the expertise of Jordanian scholars and students in desert habitat and ecology, and create an integrative, collaborative project on biodiversity conservation and scavenging research,”
Romero said.
A mouse scampers off the sleeve of biology major and Research Apprenticeship Program participant Annan Afah, who aspires to go to medical school. Behind him are, from left, Anna Catlin, a student photographer for the College of Letters and Sciences, environmental sciences major Brittany Goebel, also a RAP student, and Andrea Romero, assistant professor of geography, geology and environmental sciences as well as biological sciences. Eight mice that were live-trapped earlier in the semester for a study on their feeding states were returned to their home habitat off of a woodland trail in the campus prairie restoration area on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017. Romero worked with students in RAP, which gives undergraduates an opportunity to work with faculty on research in the students’ area of study. Romero said mice are an important organism. “They’re everywhere,” she said. “They serve as food for a lot of other organisms in forests and prairies. It is important to understand how their populations change and what can affect their populations.” (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
A lifelong passion and pursuit of knowledge
Romero, who spent her early years living in Venezuela, her father’s native country, has been fascinated by animals and wildlife since she was a child.
“I remember going on a trip with my dad and seeing freshwater dolphins. I thought they were the coolest thing in the world, and I wanted to know everything about them.”
She began studying tropical rainforests as an undergraduate student at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Her initial focus centered on the impact that humans have on the animal population and the rainforest ecology.
“The effect of humans on the landscape can affect really important things the forests provide for us,” Romero said.
More recently, she began looking at scavenging, to understand its role in providing nutrients to other creatures and to the soil. Most of the existing research on scavenging, conducted in North America and Europe, found that vertebrates such as mammals, birds and reptiles were consuming the carcasses. Romero expected that would likely be the case in Costa Rica’s rainforests, too.
But when she left dead mice on the rainforest floor and monitored the area with trail cameras, insects were the first on the scene and made quick work of the remains. Most disappeared within 24 hours. In some cases, ants were the culprits. In other cases, small mounds of dirt appeared where the mice had been placed. She dug one up and discovered that beetles had found the carcasses, prepared them with a special solution, and buried them — to preserve them as a quick meal for their babies when they hatched.
“It was a huge surprise,” Romero said.
Through the Fulbright project, Romero hopes to find out how the heat of the desert affects the scavenging environment. She also plans to spend time in Costa Rica, mentoring students of color in conducting biological research.
Making an impact at UW-Whitewater
Romero, who earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Kansas, came to UW-Whitewater as a postdoctoral fellow in 2014 and is now a tenured professor. She teaches classes in her three departments, mentors students and works with them in her research lab.
“She brings her expertise in diversity and inclusion into her biology classes, and she brings her STEM expertise into her women’s and gender studies classes. That kind of cross-pollination is very special and increasingly necessary in our world today,” Kleinfeld said.
She said Romero has developed courses that emphasize conservation biology as well as field research skills, and she seeks out underrepresented students to work in her lab and accompany her on projects in Costa Rica.
“We’re lucky to have her,” Kleinfeld said.
Romero is enthusiastic about the students she works with.
“The best thing about UW-Whitewater is our students. I love how curious they are and how interested they are.”
A big advantage of the campus is its size, she said.
“We are undergraduate-focused. You will get attention, experience and time with your professors. In environmental science and biology, you will be out in the field collecting samples and getting real-life experience.”
Wesley Abramson of Whitewater is included in the Dean’s List for the Fall Semester, 2022. He attends the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business.
Students in the Leeds School of Business who have completed at least 12 credit hours of CU Boulder coursework for a letter grade in any single semester with a term GPA of 3.600 or better are included on the dean’s list and receive a notation on their transcript.
At long last, the Bassett House Ladies and Young Ladies Tea Party is Back!
The Whitewater Federation of Women’s Clubs (WFWC) is thrilled to announce that its Ladies and Young Ladies Tea Party is back after the long COVID hiatus. The tea will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Whitewater’s historic Bassett House. We will have two seatings. First Seating from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., and Second Seating from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. All ladies over six years old are welcome. Delicious refreshments, tea, and lemonade will be served in the charming ambiance of one of Whitewater’s loveliest old homes. This is a wonderful spring tradition that you won’t want to miss.
All proceeds will go to help preserve the Bassett House, one of Whitewater’s oldest and most historic homes.
Ticket prices are $30 for an adult and a child; $10 for additional children; and $25 for a single adult. Make checks out to the WFWC and mail them to Linda Robinson at 957 W. Highland Street/Whitewater, WI 53190. Alternatively, you may use Venmo: Whitewater Federation. In either case, please indicate the number of adults attending, the number of children attending, and First or Second Seating. Space is limited, so buy your tickets soon. The ticket purchase deadline is April 17.
All proceeds will go to the Bassett House Preservation Fund, which the WFWC will use to ensure the preservation of the Bassett House. The Bassett House is located at 708 W. Main Street in Whitewater.
Master Gardener, Ruth Flescher, will be at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. to present “Let’s Talk Tomatoes.” The public is invited to attend and learn about how to choose tomato varieties and grow them successfully from transplant until the season is done.
The presentation will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. There is no cost or registration. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530.
Whitewater High School Band, Choir, and Bell Choir Students performed at the Wisconsin School Music Association’s District Solo/Ensemble Festival at East Troy High School on March 11. Students performed for a judge, and then received comments and a rating. Congratulations to students who will be advancing to State at UW-Whitewater in April!
Dante Baker – Marimba Solo Anders Clarksen – Alto Sax Solo Isabelle Dieter – Tenor Sax Solo Taiya Kolb – Alto Sax Solo Alex Martin – Bari Sax Solo Kay Mikos – Bari Sax Solo Brooke Mason – Alto Solo Marina Linos – Alto Solo Skylar Staebler – Vocal Jazz Improvisation Solo Anderson Waelchli – Vocal Jazz Improvisation Solo Ayden Clark and Anderson Waelchli – Vocal Duet Skylar Staebler – Musical Theatre Anderson Waelchli – Musical Theatre
Music Masters Ensemble (Brooke Mason, Alex Clarksen, Meridyth Cashion, Payton Bunger, Anders Clarksen, Marina Linos, Joshua Kirley, Skylar Staebler, Anderson Waelchli, Alex Sullivan, Lauren Rollette) – Madrigal Ensemble
Music Masters Ensemble (Brooke Mason, Alex Clarksen, Meridyth Cashion, Payton Bunger, Anders Clarksen, Marina Linos, Joshua Kirley, Skylar Staebler, Anderson Waelchli, Alex Sullivan, Lauren Rollette) – Mixed Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Chord of the Rings (Matt Zingsheim, Alex Clarksen, Sam Nickelsburg, Payton Bunger, David Enns, Joshua Kirley, Anderson Waelchli) – Contemporary A Cappella
Photo credits: Sam Averill and Karen Tordera Article submitted by Karen Tordera
Nicole Sedmak from Whitewater was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Honors List for the 2023 Winter Quarter. Sedmak is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Undergraduate students who have earned a GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) for this quarter are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,700 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business and nursing. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m. Agenda Cravath Lakefront Room – 2nd Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/375724789 You can also dial in using your phone. Access Code: 375-724-789 United States: 1 (408) 650-3123 Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install
Editor’s note: The following announcement was received from Jeffery Knight.
Cheri Zimdars, Guy Ledwell, Jeff Knight, and Geoff Hale are forming a Save the Pool Committee for the Whitewater Fitness and Aquatic Center (WFAC) to educate the public on its exceptional value and commitment to fitness and health in the Whitewater community.
In light of this, the Save the Pool Committee will be hosting an organizational meeting on Wednesday,April 5th, 2023 at 6 p.m. The group has changed venues for this meeting and it will now be held at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont Street. Additionally, there will be “Save the Aquatic Center” signs distributed at the meeting for those interested in expressing their support.
To remain connected to the public and continue its mission, the Save the Pool Committee has created a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SavethePoolCommitteeWW/. If you wish to support this cause, the group encourages you to follow and share the Facebook page for updates and further information on this issue.
WHS student selected for the Wisconsin Senate Scholar program from the 11th Senate District
Whitewater High School is proud to announce that Skylar Staebler from Whitewater High School represented the 11th State Senate District at last week’s 2023 Wisconsin Senate Scholar program session.
One student from each of Wisconsin’s 33 Senate Districts participates in this intensive, week-long program at the State Capitol in January, February, and March sessions. Skylar, daughter of Keith and Tammy Staebler of Whitewater, participated in the March 12-17 session.
Senate Scholars with the Senate Majority Leader
Senate Scholars at the Governor’s Mansion
The Senate Scholar program has a rigorous curriculum. First, the students get to participate actively in many facets of the legislative process. Next, they meet with legislative support agencies, the Governor’s staff, a Supreme Court Justice, the media, lobbyists, and University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty members. The students then put their knowledge into action. Scholars staff the session under the direction of the Senate Sergeant at Arms’ office when the Senate is on the floor. The week’s events culminate in a Senate Scholar committee hearing on a bill that the students have drafted.
Ms. Staebler would like to thank WI State Senator Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), his staff, and the Whitewater American Legion for supporting this outstanding program.
Skylar is an active member of the National Honor Society, the WHS Drama Club, Model United Nations, Forensics, the Kindness Club, and the Student Council. On top of this, she participates in wrestling and track. Congratulations, Skylar! We are so very proud of you!
Respectfully Submitted by Mr. Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School
