News

Trio Honored by NCWIT at MSOE

Three Whitewater High School Computer Science Students were honored at the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards Ceremony at the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Sunday, May 7. Senior Jazmin Cederberg was honored as a Wisconsin State Winner, while Freshman Ace Hudec and Senior Dayna Carlson were honored with Wisconsin Honorable Mentions.

Ace Hudec and Jazmin Cederberg (Dayna Carlson was unable to attend the ceremony)

The three-hour formal program included guest speakers from industry, Q & A with a panel including college students currently studying computer science related majors, and a motivational speech from the National Director of the Aspirations program. 153 students from across the state of Wisconsin were honored as either winners, honorable mention, or rising stars.

Ace Hudec
Jazmin Cederberg

A major focus of the program is to provide access to scholarships, internships, and connections with IT professionals for female and non-binary students who are pursuing their interests in computer science.

All three honorees have studied computer science at WHS and have been involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition Team Ferradermis as programmers. Both Jazmin and Dayna intend to continue their study of computer science at UW schools next fall.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

Greater Whitewater Comm. Hosting Young Auditorium Director Jay Craggs as Speaker

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Greater Whitewater Committee.

The Greater Whitewater Committee (GWC) is set to host Young Auditorium Director, Jay Craggs, as guest speaker at its May monthly meeting. Craggs will be discussing his future goals for UW-Whitewater’s Young Auditorium. 

“I am very excited about the reopening of Young Auditorium this fall. The season events are coming together nicely and will be shared publicly this June in our 23-24 season reveal.” said Craggs. “Our whole team is energized and eager to reconnect with friends and supporters both old and new – and to see this incredible arts venue back in action!”

The GWC’s upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 11th at 7 a.m. at 841 Brewhouse: 841 E Milwaukee St, Whitewater, WI. The public is welcome to attend this meeting to hear more about one of Whitewater’s finest venues. If interested in attending, RSVP is required. To reserve your spot, contact Jeff Knight at jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com or 920.728.0662 by Monday, May 8th. 

“We are happy to see the Young Auditorium is starting to move forward,” said GWC President Jeff Knight. “The auditorium is one of Whitewater’s biggest attractions, and we look forward to hearing about its future.” 

Jay Craggs has been Young Auditorium Director since December of 2022. He has served UW-Whitewater for more than 25 years in various roles including assistant director for facilities at the University Center, technical director for Young Auditorium, and as a music and communication instructor. Craggs received his master’s degree in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from Columbia College, and his bachelors in music education from UW-Whitewater, and studied guitar and composition with guitarist Jack Grassel and bassist Richard Davis.

Additionally, Craggs has an extensive musical background. As a guitarist and composer, Jay has performed for many audiences across America. He has shared the stage, opened for, or recorded with many jazz, rock, and entertainment notables. His remarkable career offers great opportunities for the University to grow the Young Auditorium. To learn more about Craggs visit: https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/music/stringmain/jay-craggs-bio. 

About the GWC The GWC is an action-oriented group committed to working with citizens, elected officials, and policy makers to identify, craft, and implement a pro-business agenda. Its goals are to advance the economic, educational, and social policies required to energize and secure the Whitewater area’s economic future, as well as protect Whitewater’s quality of life.

Flags to Half-Staff in Respect for the Victims of Violence in Allen, Texas

Editor’s note: The following proclamation was made by the president on May 7.

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on May 6, 2023, in Allen, Texas, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, May 11, 2023. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Whitewater Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

Whitewater man sentenced; 8 years prison for July 2020 crime

Per fox6newsnow.com,

WHITEWATER, Wis. – A Walworth County judge sentenced Christopher Czerpak on Wednesday, May 3 to eight years in prison and an additional eight years of extended supervision in connection with a July 2020 incident in Whitewater. 

Czerpak pleaded guilty in December to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal damage to property, and second-degree recklessly endangering safety. Three other charges against Czerpak were dismissed and read into the court record for the purposes of sentencing. 

Case details

Walworth County sheriff’s officials said on July 20, 2020, Whitewater police were attempting to locate Czerpak, who allegedly made statements to his estranged wife about killing her and himself with a gun.

Early Monday, around 4 a.m., the wife called 911 to report a man had broken into her apartment. While she hid in the basement, the man left — unsuccessful in locating her. Police investigated and found fresh damage from a break-in at the apartment, along with a live round of ammunition at the scene, sheriff’s officials said. The search continued for the then-32-year-old.

Around 5:30 a.m., deputies and police spotted a man, identified as Czerpak, matching the description of the apartment burglar, and attempted to speak with him. However, sheriff’s officials said he ran and “at one point, pointed a handgun at law enforcement officers.” Deputies then shot him “in an attempt to stop the imminent deadly threat.” Sheriff’s officials said a loaded handgun was found in his possession.

Czerpak was immediately treated at the scene and taken to a trauma center.

Editor’s note: Article and photo from fox6newsnow.com

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive – Saturday, May 13

Have you marked your calendar?
The #StampOutHunger food drive is just around the corner!
The need for food assistance is still more important than ever! Help your local community food pantries by leaving donations of non perishable food items in a bag by your mailbox on Saturday, May 13th! Your letter carrier will do the rest! It’s that easy!

Flags to Half-Staff on Sunday to Honor Fallen Firefighters

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #197 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, as a mark of respect for the firefighters of Wisconsin who have given their lives in the line of duty.

“Every day in communities throughout our state, Wisconsin firefighters bravely put their lives on the line to protect the health and safety of others,” said Gov. Evers.

“Honoring those firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty is a responsibility we share as a state and nation, and I am proud to recognize these fallen heroes and share our deepest condolences with their families, friends, colleagues, and loved ones on these occasions throughout the year.”

Executive Order #197 orders the flags to be flown at half-staff on Sun., May 7, 2023, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service during National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Previously, National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend had been held in October, but beginning in 2023, was moved from October to May by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation. 

In Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. 995.225(1) still designates each week annually during which October 9 falls as Fire Prevention Week and designates the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. To that end, Executive Order #197 also orders the flags be lowered on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, in honor of Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.

Lauren Hayes Elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music

Lauren Hayes has been elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) by the Honours Committee. Associateship is awarded to alumni of the Academy who have distinguished themselves in the music profession and made a significant contribution in their particular field. Lauren will receive this honor from Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the Governing Body, at a ceremony in the Duke’s Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London on
May 9. In addition to being a 2018 Tanglewood Fellow, Lauren has distinguished herself by performances with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony’s Music NOW series, Burnt Sugar: The Arkestra Chamber, performing with a variety of orchestras in the United States and in Europe and has performed in all three venues at Carnegie Hall.

Local UW-W Student Shares Experience at Children’s Day

Editor’s Note: The following was written by Ka’lea Calhoun, a University of Whitewater-Wisconsin student, and shared with Whitewater Unites Lives for the Whitewater Banner.

For my final culture project, I volunteered at the international student’s day at Lincoln elementary school. This is by far the most beautiful experience I have experienced through the university so far. It was so high in culture that I was starstruck. To begin the day, I arrived fairly early and assisted with setting up the face painting area. I met many wonderful people in the town who worked in positions in the city and within the schools. As the day began, I saw many people of  Latino background running tables for their culture. One table that stood out to me most for the culture was the table that was selling authentic Mexican food. It was so amazing to see how different their authentic foods were from our Americanized ones. The food items they had available were nachos, tostadas, and elote [“Mexican street corn.”] There was also live Hispanic music being performed which was definitely an experience. The children from the elementary school played drums, sang songs, and even played in a mariachi band.

Ka’lea Calhoun helps with face-painting at International Children’s Day.

At the face painting station, I encountered many young children of Hispanic background and some who were not. Those that were of Hispanic background were such a teaching lesson for me. Some of the children I had spoken to spoke both English and Spanish fluently but some of the children spoke strictly Spanish. It was beautiful. For the end of the program, I assisted with the flag making table. At this table children and adults were welcome to come and color a flag of their choice to represent any country they chose. From this table I learned to identify flags of different countries.

Overall, this event was so beneficial. It was full of resources for all students including those from diverse backgrounds. There were free books in the room, scholarships, art projects directed for youth, face painting, music, food, and overall good vibes. The city of Whitewater should be proud for having such a diverse program for students so young. If this is not an annual event, it indeed should be. I am honored to have been a part of the International students’ day. Gracias profesora.

—-By Ka’lea Calhoun

Flags to Half-staff Sat. to Honor Recently Identified WWII Pilot

 
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #196 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., May 6, 2023, in honor of Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, who lost his life in World War II and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial. 

“We are glad to be able to welcome First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms home and that he can finally be laid to rest in his home state,” said Gov. Evers. “First Lieutenant Harms gave his life fighting for the values and freedoms we hold dear, and the state will forever remember his courageous service and sacrifice.” 

On Aug. 1, 1943, Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms, a native of Grafton, a pilot of a B-24 bomber in World War II, and a member of the 329th Bombardment Squadron, 93rdBombardment Group, 8th Air Force, was killed by enemy anti-aircraft fire during Operation TIDAL WAVE near Ploesti, Romania. First Lieutenant Harms’ remains were not identified following the war and were buried in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploesti, Romania, and were later interred at Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. In 2017, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began exhuming unknown remains believed to be associated with Operation TIDAL WAVE for analysis and identification. Thanks to the efforts of his family and the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, First Lieutenant Harms’ remains have been positively identified. First Lieutenant Harms was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.

Army Air Forces First Lieutenant Roy Coulson Harms will be buried with full military honors in Grafton, on Sat., May 6, 2023.

Common Council Approves Development Proposals; Landfill May Become a Solar Farm

Editor’s note: The following news release was received from the City of Whitewater.

At the Common Council Meeting on May 2, 2023, the City of Whitewater Common Council approved multiple proposals that will bring jobs, add tax base, and generate revenue for the City of Whitewater.

The Common Council approved an Option Agreement to enter into a lease agreement with Clear Path Energy, LLC for redevelopment of the former landfill at the north end of Jefferson Street. The redevelopment and construction of a solar array will produce energy to be fed into the existing grid or channeled privately to large users including the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Unified School District, and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The City of Whitewater will generate a lease payment and a payment in lieu of taxes from the solar array. As an additional social benefit, the City allows for the sustainable reuse of a blighted property.

Kristen Fish-Peterson of Redevelopment Resources, who has been assisting the City and the Community Development Authority (CDA), shares, “When there is an opportunity to reenergize an unproductive property, taking it from a parcel that is simply existing and not generating any public benefit (other than the fact that it formerly served the public), it is an opportunity worth pursuing.”

The Common Council also approved a lease agreement with Cellco Partnership for tower and ground space to erect, operate, and maintain communication facilities at the Southwest Water Tower located at 797 Indian Mound Parkway, generating a revenue stream for the City of Whitewater.

An Offer to Purchase and Development Agreement submitted by Becker & Bolton, LLC was approved by the Common Council for development of a vacant parcel of land located at 501 North Prospect Drive in the Whitewater Business Park. The proposed project consists of phased construction of multiple buildings to provide leasable spaces for local business tenants for purposes of commercial/light industrial use.

John Weidl, Whitewater city manager, shares, “In addition to pursuing options to turn a non-revenue generating landfill into something that supports clean energy and reduced energy costs, our elected and appointed officials are working with staff to ensure a viable pathway for the creation of jobs within our community. The approved industrial project will add tens of thousands of available square footage for lease in addition to providing an opportunity for job creation in our community.”