UW-Whitewater Basketball: FINAL FOUR BOUND — Warhawk Men Punch Ticket to Fort Wayne
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball is still dancing as they knocked off sixth-ranked Oswego State 77-74 in Ashland, Virginia Saturday evening. The Warhawks’ Cinderella season will continue in Fort Wayne, Indiana in the Final Four. UWW will play the second of the two semifinals Thursday, March 16 against Mount Union (OH). Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.
The Warhawks (25-7) will take on the Purple Raiders (29-2) who defeated UW-Oshkosh 78-67 Saturday. The first semifinal, slated for a 4:30 p.m. tipoff March 16, features Christopher Newport (VA) (28-3) and Swarthmore (PA) (28-3). More information regarding tickets and live coverage will be provided soon.
History was on UW-Whitewater’s side Saturday. The Warhawks have won every Elite 8 game they’ve played in – advancing to the Final Four in 2014, 2012, 1989, 1984 and 1983. UWW went on to win the national title in four of those seasons (2014, 2012, 1989, 1984). Pat Miller was part of three of the program’s four national titles — hoisting the trophy as a player and twice as the head coach.
The Warhawks held the lead for the majority of the first half. A 6-0 run for Oswego State to close the period sent the teams into the locker room with UW-Whitewater facing a 34-30 deficit.
UWW narrowed the gap and eventually knotted the game at 39 on a Carter Capstran (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) triple with 17:24 on the clock. From that point, UW-Whitewater rattled off 12 of the next 17 to open up a seven-point advantage, 51-44, with just under 13 to play.
The Warhawks’ lead ballooned into double digits where it hovered for the nearly nine minutes. With under five minutes to go, UWW enjoyed a 70-60 advantage. Oswego State whittled away eventually pulling to within three, 74-71 with just over a minute left.
Miles Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Howards Grove) hit a pair from the free throw line with 26 seconds on the clock to push the lead to five, but a foul was called on a three-point attempt for Oswego. Knocking down all three, the gap was cut to two, 76-74 with 14 seconds to play.
A foul on the inbounds sent UWW to the line but a missed pair gave Oswego a chance trailing by two. A jumper in the paint bounced high off the rim and Jameer Barker (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine’s) skied in for the rebound. He was fouled on the rebound with 1.4 seconds on the clock.
Barker drained the first of the pair and missed the second with time expiring before either team gained complete possession.
Barnstable led UWW with 23 points on 7-13 from the floor, 3-5 from downtown and a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. Capstran registered a double-double with 21 points on 9-15 from the field and 15 boards. Delvin Barnstable (Sheboygan, Wis./Sheboygan Lutheran) added 12 points and 10 boards while Barker dished out a game-high five assists.
By Angela Kelm Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Birmingham, Ala. — UW-Whitewater Track and Field: Men 8th, Women 23rd as Three Warhawks Earn All-America Honors Saturday
Three University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s track and field athletes captured All-America honors at the 2023 NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Ala. Saturday. The Warhawk men finished eighth in the final team standings marking the program’s 10th top 10 finish at the indoor championships since 2010. The Warhawk women were 23rd with 10 points from Gracie Holland’s (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) individual title in the pole vault.
Sophomore distance runner Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) claimed his second All-America honor of the indoor championship with a fourth-place finish in the 3,000. A day after capturing the national title in the 5,000 in championship record time, Patzka competed in a race where the top nine finishers all bested the previous championship record. His time of 8:05.50 was shy of the top three by .21 seconds.
Fellow distance runner Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee) posted a personal record in the mile run. He crossed the line in 4:07.76 to secure All-America honors for the second consecutive track season — he finished fourth in the 1,500-meter run outdoors a year ago.
Two Warhawks represented UW-Whitewater in the men’s triple jump Saturday. Shelvin Garrett became a two-time indoor All-American with a leap of 14.85 meters (48-8.75) for fifth place. Garrett claimed bronze last season. Teammate Brayden Zettle (Monroe, Wis./Monroe) registered a distance of 14.41 meters (47-3.5) to finish 13th.
Shinhoster claims second straight 184 pound national title at 2023 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships courtesy of Kodiak Creative
By Angela Kelm Asst. Sports Director for Sports Information
Roanoke, Va. — Jaritt Shinhoster Claims Second Consecutive National Title at 184 Pounds
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) successfully defended his national title to claim the crown at 184 pounds once again at the 2023 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Roanoke, Virginia.
In a rematch of the 2022 national championship bout, Shinhoster defeated Shane Liegel of Loras College by 9-2 decision Saturday evening to secure the title for the second consecutive season. The title bout was the rubber match between the two brawlers, as the pair had each registered a win against the other this season. Shinhoster was a perfect 4-0 at the national championships this season. After opening with a fall, he posted back-to-back major decisions to advance to the title bout.
Shinhoster is the third back-to-back champion in program history joining Rob Llorca from 1990 and 1991 at 158 pounds and fellow 184-pounder Jordan Newman who secured titles in 2017 and 2018. Overall, he is the fifth wrestler to win a national title as a Warhawk.
The fifth-year senior has recorded a phenomenal career as Warhawk. His 33 wins this season is the most in his five years (including a shortened season due to the pandemic) as he wrapped up the season at 33-2. For his storied career, Shinhoster is 112-15 with 57 pins, 9 technical falls and 28 major decisions. With a streak of five consecutive pins through regionals and into the first round of the national tournament this season, it is no surprise that Shinhoster has a fall-rate nearing 50-percent for his career.
SATURDAY MORNING SESSION RECAP University of Wisconsin-Whitewater brawler Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) has advanced to the title bout at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The senior will defend his 2022 national title against Loras’ Shane Liegel in the Saturday evening session slated to begin with the parade of All-Americans at 6:30 pm ET.
The 184 title bout will be a rematch of the 2022 national championship. Shinhoster defeated then top-ranked Liegel by major decision 13-5. This season, the brawlers have met twice. Liegel won in sudden victory in the title bout of the Concordia Wisconsin Open back in November. That loss marked Shinhoster’s first of the season – his lone other came to a Division I opponent in the annual Midlands Championships where he finished as the runner-up against all Division I competition. Shinhoster took the second meeting this season by decision, 4-0, in a dual against Loras in January.
Shinhoster defeated Donovan Corn of Luther College by 12-0 major decision in Saturday morning’s semifinal.
Shinhoster is 32-2 on the season with half of his victories coming by fall. He three technical falls and seven major decision for a total of 26 bonus point wins of his 32 victories.
Attached photo: Shinhoster claims second straight 184 pound national title at 2023 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships courtesy of Kodiak Creative
Editor’s note: The following was posted to the city website.
Over the past few months some of you may have been experiencing brownish colored water in your home at times. I would like to explain why you have experienced this issue.
As you know, the City of Whitewater installed a new water tower just south of the Highway 12 bypass. Adjacent to the new tower is one of five water wells within our system. During the construction of the new tower, this well stayed in service to pump water into the water distribution system. However, during the construction of the water tower we began to notice the well pump was starting to lose some pumping capacity. The decision was made to take the well offline to perform an inspection, which verified iron was blocking the suction screen and some of the well casing had begun to go soft and develop holes. Arrangements were made to repair the well pump motor, clean the suction screen, and replace the well casing. The project was expedited to get the well back in service as soon as possible.
Before the new water tower the water in the water mains typically traveled in one direction from the well toward the water tower in Starin Park. With the new water tower online and the well out of service, water in the water mains had to reverse and flow toward the new water tower in order to fill it when needed and then flow back to serve homes. This back and forth action, of the water in the water mains, caused some dislodging of minerals that formed on the inside of the pipes. The mineral buildup is very typical and is not hazardous or harmful.
Some residents who notified us about their concerns allowed us into their homes. We removed their water meter and flushed the lateral for a number of minutes until the water was clear. This seemed to have worked with positive results.
With the well back in operation now, we will use this well as much as possible to fill the new water tower to avoid the back and forth turbulence of the water in the water mains. Additionally, we will do a directional hydrant flushing in the areas that have been impacted during our normal hydrant flushing scheduled for April. If the need warrants us to do flushing sooner or again after April, we will. Also planned for this year is the installation of a new water main connecting the new water tower to a dead end watermain to the east. This watermain will loop the water system and help with the water quality and supplying water to the water tower.
Please continue to contact the Water Utility (262-473-0560) if you are experiencing any water quality issues, and we will do our best to respond in a timely matter. We apologize for the inconvenience you may have experienced in the last few months.
Christian Patzka crushed the meet record in the 5,000.
Gracie Holland secured gold in the pole vault. Photos courtesy of Benjamin Verge
By Angela Kelm Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Birmingham, Ala. — Warhawks Gracie Holland and Christian Patzka Claim National Titles at Indoor Track & Field Championships
Sophomores Gracie Holland (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) and Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) claimed individual national titles on the first day of competition in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday. Holland secured gold in the pole vault while Patzka crushed the meet record in the 5,000.
Holland matched her career-best, which is also the best in Division III this season, with a height of 4.00 meters (13-1.5) in the pole vault Friday. That mark is among the top ten recorded in championship meet history. Holland is the first Warhawk to claim the indoor national title in the event and fourth to win an individual title in the history of the UWW women’s program. She is now a two-time indoor All-American in the event after finishing fifth a year ago.
Patzka crushed the 29-year-old championship meet record in the 5,000 Friday. Crossing the line in 13:47.01, he shattered Dan Mayer’s clocking of 13:53.17 from 1994. Patzka is now a two-time indoor All-American in the event after finishing fourth in 2022. He’ll be back in action Saturday competing in the 3,000-meter run.
Patzka’s distance teammates Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) and Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee) joined him in action Friday. Sophomore Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion) posted a time of 14:23.20 in the 5,000 to finish just outside the top eight. Krause posted a career-best 4:08.17 to time qualify for the finals in the mile.
Sophomore Tina Shelton (Janesville, Wis./Parker) had to start her 60-meter prelim twice after a fellow sprinter false started. Her clocking of 7.67 was 12th in the prelims of the event. She added a personal record of 25.06 in the 200 Friday evening to finish 17th.
Marlon Cystrunk (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) was also in action on day one. The sophomore registered a time 8.39 in the 60 hurdles for 19th in the prelims of the event.
Jaritt Shinhoster at 2023 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships courtesy of Kodiak Creative
Angela Kelm Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Roanoke, Va. — Warhawk Senior Jaritt Shinhoster Continues Path to Defend 184 Pound Title
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) punched his ticket into the semifinals of the 2023 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships to secure All-America honors for the third time in his career. Jake Burford (Crown Point, Ind./Crown Point) and Dominik Mallinder (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) were also in action in the opening day of nationals in Roanoke, Va. Friday.
Shinhoster, the defending national champion at 184 pounds made quick work of his first bout on the day. Pinning Isaac Cory of Penn College of Technology in just 40 seconds, he registered his fifth consecutive fall. Shinhoster went the distance in his quarterfinal bout but still picked up the bonus win defeating Mahlic Sallah of Roanoke College by major decision 12-0. Top-ranked Shinhoster will face fifth-ranked Donovan Corn of Luther College tomorrow morning.
Burford had a tough draw at 149 pounds opening with the second-ranked wrestler from Johnson & Wales, Hayden Brown. The senior bounced back from a first-round fall to defeat Daniel Uribe of Wabash by 9-6 decision. In his first bout of the evening session Friday, Burford topped Chris Perry of Trinity (CT) before falling to eighth-ranked Chase Sumner of Ohio Northern. Burford, the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion and Upper Midwest Regional runner-up, ends the season with a 32-9 mark after making his third trip to the national championship.
Mallinder had a phenomenal freshman campaign for the Warhawks. The 2023 WIAC champion, Mallinder qualified for his first trip to nationals with the Upper Midwest Regional crown. Despite going 0-2 Friday, Mallinder’s 31 wins in his first season competing collegiate speak for themselves.
The 2023 DIII Championship will conclude with a morning and evening session Saturday.
Remember to “spring forward” this Sunday morning. Once again in the past year there have been calls for eliminating daylight savings time. Polling shows that a majority of Americans detest the practice: 62% would prefer to end it, according to a March, 2023 poll by YouGov, but respondents were divided between those (50%) who would like to have permanent daylight time (DST) and those (31%) preferring permanent standard time. Last year on March 15, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021 by unanimous consent. It would make DST permanent. However, the bill died in the House amid renewed debate over whether year-round DST was the safest, healthiest, and most economical option for the country.
As Daylight Savings begins, it is a perfect time to “spring ahead to safety” and tackle a few critical emergency preparedness updates for the coming spring season.
Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: All residences are required to have both types of detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Now is a good time to replace the batteries in your detectors and push the test buttons to be sure they’re working properly. Replace your detectors every five years.
Emergency Go Bags: Be sure to have a basic emergency kit in your home with supplies, food and water to last you and your family for at least three days. Other items like a battery powered radio, flashlights, additional batteries, and first aid kit should also be included. For more information, please visit https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
Emergency NOAA Weather Radio: Spring brings the threat of tornadoes. Make sure you have an emergency weather radio. It’s like having a tornado siren in your home. When it goes off, go to a safe place. Remember, the outdoor warning sirens are only intended for people to hear outdoors.
National Weather Service Wireless Emergency Alerts: Wireless Emergency Alerts are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier. Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service. No signup is required. Alerts are sent automatically to WEA-capable phones during an emergency. For more information, please visit https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea
Loosely based on Steven Spielberg’s childhood growing up in post-World War II Arizona, from age 7 to 18. A young, impressionable Sammy Fableman explores how the power of movies helps us see the truth about ourselves and others. Nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Film, Screenplay, Music, Actress and Actor.
Starring Michelle Williams, Judd Hirsch, Paul Dano and Seth Rogan.
Jameer Barker rises up for a jumper in the first half against Johns Hopkins (courtesy of Dane Sheehan)
Update: In a hard fought game where they were rarely ahead but usually not far behind, UW-W’s women lost to Trinity (CT) by 63-56. See the sports section for details on this game.
By Angela Kelm Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
Ashland, Va. — Still Dancing … Warhawk Men Advance to Elite 8 | Box Score
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team continues their journey in the postseason after defeating Johns Hopkins 83-82 in overtime in an instant classic.
Tipoff for the Elite 8 game in Ashland, Va. Is slated for 6 pm CT Saturday. The Warhawks seem to be at home on the road this season at 12-1 in away games. Update 3/11 @ 3:40 p.m.: They will face Oswego State, which earned its first trip ever to the Elite 8 by ending Randolph Macon’s 64 home-game winning streak on Friday evening, 74-63. The game may be viewed online here.
The game was close throughout as you’d expect a quarterfinal game to be. Still the Warhawks held the lead for the majority of the contest. The tide seemed to turn a bit at the 7:41 mark in the second half when JHU knocked down a triple from the wing to claim their first lead of the half since the opening minute.
From that point, the teams traded small runs until the Blue Jays went up five with just over a minute in regulation remaining. Forced to foul with just 41 seconds left, Johns Hopkins made one of two but hauled in the offensive board. A quick foul led to a pair of missed free throws and this time Trevon Chislom secured the rebound.
Miles Barnstable got the ball up the court quickly and created space with a step back move knocking down the three-pointer with 29 seconds on the clock. Head Coach Pat Miller immediately signaled for the timeout.
Seven seconds ticked off clock after the inbounds until UWW was whistled for the foul. Dropping in one of two, UW-Whitewater capitalized on the Blue Jays’ poor free throw shooting down the stretch. Barnstable missed a triple, but Carter Capstran cleaned up the offensive glass to cut the deficit in half and pull the Warhawks within two, 73-71, with 11 seconds remaining.
Delvin Barnstable fouled JHU with barely any time coming off the clock and once again Johns Hopkins only hit one of the pair. Chislom pulled down the board and outleted to Miles Barnstable who went coast-to-coast for the layup to make it 74-73 with eight seconds to go.
Following the next UWW foul, the Blue Jays made the second of the double bonus giving the Warhawks less than three seconds to go the length of the court trailing by two.
JHU pressured the near guards forcing the inbounder to heave the ball near the sideline at midcourt. Capstran acted as a receiver, hauling in the catch inbounds and tossing it toward the three-point line before falling out of play. Delvin Barnstable did a fantastic job coming back for the ball and his hustle paid off as JHU was called for a foul on the catch.
With just three-tenths of a second left, Barnstable’s first free throw bounced off the rim, hit the backboard and dropped through. He drained the next one to send the game into overtime. The Barnstables combined for 26 points in the second half for UWW.
The majority of points scored in the five-minute overtime came from the charity stripe. The Warhawks won that battle hitting 6-8 in overtime compared to 3-4 for JHU. Still the Blue Jays captured the lead late after back-to-back buckets from turnovers gave Johns Hopkins an 82-81 lead with 12 seconds to go.
Jameer Barker drew a shooting foul with six seconds on the clock to head to the line. He knocked down both to give UWW the lead. A last chance heave for Johns Hopkins was no good as the Warhawks keep dancing in the NCAA Tournament.
Barker posted 19 bolstered by 6-8 from the free throw line including the final two that sealed the win. Both Barnstables posted 17 each as Delvin notched a double-double with 12 boards. Chislom and Capstran rounded out the double figure scorers with 13 each.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library.
The public is invited to celebrate International Pi Day at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. Pi is a mathematical constant that is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159. The decimal representation never ends, nor enters a permanently repeating pattern. There will be a contest to see who can recite the most digits of pi, various fun pi activities and games, and pie to eat.
The event will be held in the library’s Community Room located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. This family-friendly event is for all ages, and there is no cost or registration to participate. For additional information, visit the library’s website at www.whitewaterlibrary.org or call 262-473-0530 with questions.
Shinhoster claims second straight 184 pound national title at 2023 NCAA DIII Wrestling Championships courtesy of Kodiak Creative
By Angela Kelm Asst. Sports Director for Sports Information
Roanoke, Va. — Jaritt Shinhoster Claims Second Consecutive National Title at 184 Pounds
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater senior Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) successfully defended his national title to claim the crown at 184 pounds once again at the 2023 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Roanoke, Virginia.
In a rematch of the 2022 national championship bout, Shinhoster defeated Shane Liegel of Loras College by 9-2 decision Saturday evening to secure the title for the second consecutive season. The title bout was the rubber match between the two brawlers, as the pair had each registered a win against the other this season. Shinhoster was a perfect 4-0 at the national championships this season. After opening with a fall, he posted back-to-back major decisions to advance to the title bout.
Shinhoster is the third back-to-back champion in program history joining Rob Llorca from 1990 and 1991 at 158 pounds and fellow 184-pounder Jordan Newman who secured titles in 2017 and 2018. Overall, he is the fifth wrestler to win a national title as a Warhawk.
The fifth-year senior has recorded a phenomenal career as Warhawk. His 33 wins this season is the most in his five years (including a shortened season due to the pandemic) as he wrapped up the season at 33-2. For his storied career, Shinhoster is 112-15 with 57 pins, 9 technical falls and 28 major decisions. With a streak of five consecutive pins through regionals and into the first round of the national tournament this season, it is no surprise that Shinhoster has a fall-rate nearing 50-percent for his career.
SATURDAY MORNING SESSION RECAP University of Wisconsin-Whitewater brawler Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) has advanced to the title bout at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. The senior will defend his 2022 national title against Loras’ Shane Liegel in the Saturday evening session slated to begin with the parade of All-Americans at 6:30 pm ET.
The 184 title bout will be a rematch of the 2022 national championship. Shinhoster defeated then top-ranked Liegel by major decision 13-5. This season, the brawlers have met twice. Liegel won in sudden victory in the title bout of the Concordia Wisconsin Open back in November. That loss marked Shinhoster’s first of the season – his lone other came to a Division I opponent in the annual Midlands Championships where he finished as the runner-up against all Division I competition. Shinhoster took the second meeting this season by decision, 4-0, in a dual against Loras in January.
Shinhoster defeated Donovan Corn of Luther College by 12-0 major decision in Saturday morning’s semifinal.
Shinhoster is 32-2 on the season with half of his victories coming by fall. He three technical falls and seven major decision for a total of 26 bonus point wins of his 32 victories.
Nancy Olson presenting certificate to Kindyl Kilar
Olson, Kilar and Val Cole
Whitewater High School senior – Kindyl Kilar – won a $400 scholarship through the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter Good Citizen Program on March 6. Kindyl received a check and certificate from DAR Chaplain Val Cole and DAR Good Citizens Chair, Nancy Olson. Congratulations Kindyl!
Editor’s note: The above announcement was submitted byPamela Sonmor-Wintz, WHS counselor and scholarship coordinator. Update @ 11 a.m. on 3/10/23: The announcement below was submitted by Chris Spangler for the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the DAR.
DAR recognizes area schools’ ‘Good Citizens’
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship.
The organization held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 2, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.
Honorees included Mariah Luebke, Fort Atkinson High School; Matthew Buchholz, Jefferson High School; Madalyn Buonincontro, Cambridge High School; Natalie Gordhamer, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Kindyl Kilar, Whitewater High School; and Jeremiah Legel, Lake Mills High School.
During the program, each student introduced him/herself and his/her guests and was presented a certificate of recognition.
Kilar is the chapter’s Good Citizen winner, and her essay on citizenship advances to compete at the state level. As she was in Boston and unable to attend the luncheon, DAR Chaplain Valerie Cole read Kilar’s essay, titled “Positive Actions Lead to Positive Change: How Will the Essential Actions of a Good Citizen — Dependability, Service, Leadership and Patriotism — Meet the Challenges that America Faces in this Decade?”
“After reading Kindyl’s letters of recommendation, her personal story and her essay, I can’t help but be amazed at the dynamic and caring individual she is,” said DAR chapter Regent Nancy Olson. “From her leadership roles in school and church, she embodies all the qualities of a good citizen.”
Kilar received a certificate and scholarship in a presentation at her school on Monday, March 6.
Olson also welcomed the honorees and their guests. Registrar Jessica Punzel led the Pledge of Allegiance and Cole offered the blessing. Treasurer Mary Narkis and Secretary Vicki Schicker presented the awards.
Mariah Luebke
Mariah Luebke is the daughter of Kim and Justin Luebke. Throughout her years at Fort Atkinson High School, she has maintained an A average, taking advanced-placement courses such as AP computer science, AP Psychology, AP Statistics and AP Environmental Science. She has been treasurer of FFA and is its current president, and in the fall has served as football team manager. Luebke also is a member of National Honor Society, treasurer of the Spanish National Honor Society and a student aid.
Outside of school, she is the mascot, Pork Chop Jones,” for Jones Dairy Farm; works in housekeeping at Holiday Inn Express; and in the past worked at Goodwill of South-Central Wisconsin and the Common House.
Following graduation, she plans to study agribusiness management at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with the goal of owning her own business selling crops to her community.
Kindyl Kilar
Kindyl Kilar is the daughter of Mary and Mike Kilar. Throughout her years at Whitewater High School, she has maintained an all-A average while taking honors and AP courses. Her high school activities include Spanish Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Student Council, HOPE squad, National Honor Society, yearbook staff, Kindness Club and Rock Valley Conference leadership conferences. She plays the flute and violin and sings in the church choir.
Outside of school, Kilar volunteers at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Vacation Bible School and helps with youth basketball. A Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship nominee, she has been elected to Homecoming Court, and was named All-State Volleyball for two years, All-Conference Basketball for two years, an All-Conference Track and All-State Finisher, Most Valuable Player in volleyball and Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year. She was captain of the volleyball team, an MVP in track and a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation nominee.
Upon graduation, Kilar will attend Florida International University in Miami, where she plans to play collegiate volleyball. She hopes to enter the medical field.
Matthew Buchholz
Matthew Buchholz is the son of Dean and Kimberly Buchholz of Jefferson. Throughout his last three years at Jefferson High School, he has earned an A in all his courses, which include AP Calculus, AP European History, AP Physics and AP Human Geography. He also is very involved in music, playing in the Concert and Symphonic bands, Jazz Ensemble and Steel Drum Band, and singing in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
He has played football and tennis, is in the Music Honors Society and was on Student Council for two years. In addition, he was part of the Eagle Theater Council, Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society.
As a member of the Theater and Drama Club, Buchholz has performed in one-act plays that went to state, and he held the leading role in “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Outside of school, Buchholz has volunteered at the Boys and Girls in Christ (BASIC) Thanksgiving Dinner each year. During the summer, he works on the grounds crew for the School District of Jefferson. A member of his church’s youth group, Chapel Students, he volunteers to work tech during church services; plays the piano, guitar and ukulele; and takes private vocal lessons.
Matthew has four colleges he is considering to attend after graduation — Ripon College, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Northern Iowa and Viterbo University — with the plan of becoming a vocal music teacher.
Natalie Gordhamer
Natalie Gordhamer, is the daughter of Deb and Gary Gordhamer. During the past three years at Palmyra-Eagle High School, she has achieved high academic success, taking advanced courses including AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus, AP Psychology and AP U.S. History. She also has been involved in band.
Outside of the classroom, Gordhamer has been in National Honor Society, serving as historian. Last summer, she was a delegate to Badger Girls State.
Gordhamer has been a member of Girl Scouts for 12 years, volunteering at a day camp teaching outdoor skills. She earned her Junior Aide badge and Silver Award, the latter by building three little free libraries.
After graduation, she plans to attend Minnesota State University in Mankato, with the goal of becoming a librarian.
Madalyn Buonincontro
During the past three years at Cambridge High School, Madalyn Buonincontro has maintained an A average while taking four years of Spanish, English, social studies and math. She took AP English Literature and AP Government and Politics, as well as many music courses including varsity, show and concert choirs.
Her high school activities include volleyball; National Honor Society, of which she is president; school musicals and the peer mentoring program. She is the Class of 2023 secretary.
Outside of school, she is involved in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Daycare and serves as a Sunday School teacher. She volunteers at an elementary school on Wednesday mornings and has volunteered at Mount Carmel family camp for the past two summers.
After high school, Buonincontro plans to attend Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., to major in elementary education.
Jeremiah Legel
While at Lake Mills High School, Jeremiah Legel, son of Craig and Kari Legel, has been involved in cross-country, basketball, track, Interact Club, Link Crew and National Honor Society, of which he serves as president. He has earned his academic letter and academic medallion.
A singer and songwriter, Legel is an active volunteer at his church and at school, and is employed at Timber Creek Pizza Co. He also is involved in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Next fall, Legel will be attending Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. His career path is as yet undecided.
Legal was presented the Good Citizen award at his school, as he was unable to attend the March 2 luncheon.
About the Good Citizen award
Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.
Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.
The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of DAR began its Good Citizens program in the late 1930s with one school … Fort Atkinson. Since then, it has recognized 86-plus students.
About DAR
Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years, the release noted.
The Eli Pierce Chapter, founded in Whitewater in 1941, was very active but never as large. The two chapters merged in 1992, and today, members reside in Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.
