The MADMUN (Madison Model United Nations) XIII Conference was held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Monona Grove High School. Nineteen schools and over 300 students participated in the conference.
Whitewater High School had many new Model UN members learning the feel for the club at this conference. But, on the contrary, we had some repeat members that used their past experiences to have an outstanding performance at MADMUN. Some even left with awards: Maria Verduzco and Emmanuella Mbifi won an Honorable mention in their respective committees.
MADMUN Honorable Mention Recipients(L-R) Emmanuella Mbifi and Maria Verduzco
Overall, Whitewater High School did an incredible job at MADMUN XIII, and all of Model UN is excited for their next MUNUC (Model United Nations at the University of Chicago) conference that will take place in Chicago during the month of February.
Article and Photos Submitted by Josie Treder, Model UN Press Secretary Model UN at Whitewater High School is Advised by Mr. Greg Stewart gstewart@wwusd.org
Plan and Architectural Review Commission Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes Public Hearing For Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed 4 Family Residence Apartment Complex To Be Located At N. Tratt St. Parcel ID#/05-15-3233-018 (Physical Address To Be Determined At A Later Date) For Joseph Esther/Or Assigns and Public Hearing Regarding Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed Auto Repair Service With Rental Of Box Trucks And Trailers Located At 1002 S Janesville Street, Parcel ID#/WUP 00341 For Big Deal LLC. (Lee Loveall). City of Whitewater Municipal Building 312 W. Whitewater St. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://meet.goto.com/281060381 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (312) 757-3121 Access Code: 281-060-381
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Draft Starin Park Water Tower Structural Analysis Report. Cravath Conference Room Municipal Building – 2 Floor 312 W Whitewater St
City of Whitewater Community Development AuthorityBoard of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m. Agenda includes Discussion regarding Economic Development Director Timeline, Discussion regarding Starin Road Site – Development Concept, and closed session (followed by open session) regarding Potential sale of Business Park lot located on the corner of Prospect and Endeavor to David & Goliath. Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor 312 W. Whitewater St. This will be an IN‐PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. You are invited to a Zoom webinar. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89300240370?pwd=clI4eTRSS0wvMGEvVW16TkZLeHA5dz09 Passcode: 575484 Or Telephone: Dial: 1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 893 0024 0370 Passcode: 575484
Editor’s note: The CDA phone-in number was updated on 12/12/22.
Editor’s note: The following article is from the uww.edu website. The link was provided to us by Jennifer Rulon, who wrote, “I wanted to share the article written for the UWW Commencement for December 2022. I will return to Whitewater to share my story at the graduation in a couple of weeks. I said in the article, “I was a Whippet before I was a Warhawk.”
Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos submitted
Jennifer Rulon lives thousands of miles from Whitewater. But the city — and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus — are still very close to her heart.
Rulon, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology in 1993, has embarked on a series of accomplishments and pivotal life moments in various areas of the U.S. and beyond since she earned her undergraduate degree.
She will share her inspiring story as commencement speaker for UW-Whitewater’s December 2022 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.
Rulon’s Whitewater roots run deep and were established at a young age. Her family moved from Detroit to Whitewater when she was in her earliest years of elementary school. Her love for the community ultimately prompted her to attend the local university after graduating from high school.
“I was a Whippet before I was a Warhawk. When it came time to applying to colleges, my mom and I talked it out, and they said, ‘Why don’t you apply to Whitewater and see what happens?’”
The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
From a young age, Rulon knew she wanted to work with marine life. While Whitewater is far from any setting where whales, sea lions or dolphins swim, the campus only continued to instill within her that innate love and fascination.
She was involved with Upham Geeks, a biology club, where she was able to enjoy the company of like-minded classmates. The club’s advisor, Dr. Sable, led the group in a number of interesting activities — including the fine art of snacking on dried bugs.
“I worked in the admissions office, and I played intramural sports every other day, whether it was flag football, inner tube water polo or softball. I was always involved in sports somehow or I was working on campus.”
After graduating nearly three decades ago, she has pursued additional education, including a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Rulon also has achieved goals during three monumental life moments.
Her first milestone required a bold step — one she was ready and willing to take. She landed a job working as a marine animal trainer and behaviorist at SeaWorld. She had to leave Whitewater, Wisconsin, and the Midwest to realize the dream she’d held for so long.
“People said, ‘Oh, you’re going to have to move if you want this kind of job.’ And I said, ‘That’s OK. I want this dream.’”
While at SeaWorld, she became a triathlon coach, started her own company — JenRulon.com — and built a triathlon team called Rulon Racing.
Rulon competed in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2017.
In 2010, she was ready to leave SeaWorld and begin her next adventure — one that would test her endurance physically, intellectually and emotionally. A friend sent her a Walt Disney quote that comforted and encouraged her: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” With strength, determination and perseverance, over time she became a 15-time Ironman Triathlete and qualified to participate in the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2017.
Rulon speaking at a TEDx talk in 2016.
Through her brand JenRulon.com, she shares her inspiring messages to people from all walks of life. Her wisdom has been published and shared in disparate publications and venues, including the TEDx stage, Triathlete Magazine, Runners World and The New York Times.
Rulon in Costa Rica, where she now lives.
Now, Rulon is in the beginning stages of her third monumental life moment — one that allows her to go back to her innate love of oceanic life — establishing roots as a resident in another country: Costa Rica.
“I observed it, and I fell in love — I fell in love with the country, I fell in love with the people, I fell in love with the ocean. I’m just ‘in the now.’ I’ve been here nearly a year, and I absolutely love it here.”
Whitewater might be far geographically, but — in a full-circle moment — she realizes how her time on campus is put to good work in her new setting.
“I ride my bike all over the place here, just like I did on the Whitewater campus. I rode my bike everywhere when I went to school there, whether it was to and from my classes or to work. I really loved that campus.”
For all of her accomplishments, Rulon also readily points out the overflowing encouragement she received in Whitewater was worth its weight in gold.
“I did have professors and I had co-workers in the admissions office who believed in me. They believed who I was going to become. That was powerful.”
For more information on UW-Whitewater’s commencement ceremonies, visit the commencement website at uww.edu/commencement.
On December 4 at the Prairie Village Community Center, the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area presented their “Making Democracy Work” award to Patrick Singer and Lynn Binnie. Both Patrick and Lynn served on the City of Whitewater Common Council for 14 years, with Patrick having retired in 2021 and Lynn in 2022. Unfortunately Patrick was unable to attend the presentation due to family illness. Photos below are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
The award read as follows: WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area is affiliated with the LWV of the United States (LWVUS), the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement in America and in Whitewater, Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the League is a nonpartisan political organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League’s Making Democracy Work Award honors community members that exemplify the League’s mission; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League collaborates with LWVUS and other organizations to achieve mutual goals, increase civic participation, create lasting change in the community, and, above all, signify to others that the League of Women Voters “Makes Democracy Work;”
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the LWV of the Whitewater Area has chosen LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER as the recipients of the 2022 Making Democracy Work Award for their civility and influential leadership as members and past presidents of the Whitewater Common Council and for their years of service on many community boards and committees.
NOW THEREFORE, we members of the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area, urge all residents of Whitewater, Wisconsin to pay great tribute and respect to LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER for all they represent and have accomplished on behalf of their fellow citizens.”
Ellen Penwell, Co-President of LWV – Whitewater area welcoming the audience (Tom Ganser photos)
Jim Winship shares message from former City Manager Cameron Clapper and his own remarks
Ellen Penwell presenting award to Lynn Binnie, with current Common Council members Carol McCormick, Brienne Brown looking on
Carol McCormick and Brienne Brown accepting award on behalf of Patrick Singer
Carol McCormick speaking of her Common Council tenure with Patrick and Lynn
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by The Whitewater Landmarks Commission.
The City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission has designated the Converse House at 161 N. Fremont Street, currently owned by John and Mary Seiser as a Local Landmark. The mission of the commission is the preservation of the city’s architecturally, culturally and historically significant properties.
The Converse House received the designation at a public hearing on December 8th. Located on Fremont Street, pioneer settler, Frederick J. Starin designed and built the single family residence for his daughter Margaret and her husband E.D. Converse. The building of the Italianate style house, believed to have begun in 1868 and completed in 1869 was designed as a rectangular, cream brick two story building. It is one of the few remaining examples of the Italianate style with arched openings in the city of Whitewater. A front porch was added to the home in the late 1880’s.
The present owners have recaptured the Victorian feeling with their exquisite decorating and collection of antiques typical of the time period.
The house is potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is the 27th Local Landmark in the City of Whitewater.
Update: In addition to the public forums on campus shown with each candidate’s information, there also is an opportunity for the remaining four candidates to meet with members of the community at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W. Main Street. Those dates and times are shown below.
Lynn D. Akey – December 6, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
John D. Chenoweth – December 7, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Corey A. King – December 8, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Mrinal Mugdh Varma – December 13, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Paul D. Plotkowski – December 14, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Further information regarding the forums is available here.
The candidates will also participate in separate campus public forums, offering opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to interact directly with them. The schedule for each forum is shown below.
The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:
Lynn D. Akey Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning, Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN Curriculum vitae In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall Live stream:
John D. Chenoweth Interim Chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Whitewater, WI Curriculum vitae In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall Live stream: See link here
Corey A. King Vice Chancellor for University Inclusivity and Student Affairs, UW-Green Bay Green Bay, WI Curriculum vitae In person: 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall Live stream: See link here.
Paul D. Plotkowski Dean and Professor, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Grand Valley State University Grand Rapids, MI Curriculum vitae In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall Live stream: See link here.
Mrinal Mugdh Varma Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL Curriculum vitae In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall Live stream: See link here.
After reviewing campus feedback, Rothman and the Special Regent Committee, comprised of Regents Bogost, Ashok Rai, Jill Underly, and Kyle Weatherly and chaired by Regent Vice President Bogost, will interview the finalists and recommend a single successful candidate to the Board of Regents, which must approve the appointment.
The person selected through this process will be UW-Whitewater’s 18th chancellor.
For more information about the five candidates, the public conversations, and the search process, see the UW-Whitewater chancellor search page: https://www.uww.edu/chancellor-search. For more information about UW-Whitewater, go to its homepage: https://www.uww.edu/.
The Dance Factory and Lake Geneva Symphony present Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet, The Nutcracker, written in 1892, on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets ($30-35) are available here.
EMMANUEL RAMIREZ. Born and raised in Mexico, Emmanuel is a dance teacher, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Universidad de Guadalajara and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Drama from Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Mexico. Emmanuel has danced for various professional companies throughout Mexico, such as Compañía de Danza Clasica y Neoclasica de Jalisco, Compañía de Danza Clásica de Quintana Roo, Danza UNAM, Atelier Ballet Teatro Contemporaneo and Guadalajara en Movimiento, where he danced choreography pieces of Mark Godden, Nazira Yakubova, Katia Garza, Rosario Murillo, Dalirys Valladares, Sergio Vicencio, Arcadio Carbonell, Diego Vazquez, Raul Fernandez, among others. Emmanuel moved to Chicago in 2016 where he’s performed annually in both Ballet Legere’s and Ruth Page’s Nutcracker and danced as a company member of Elements Contemporary Ballet. As a Teacher, he has worked for Maywood Fine Arts, Ballet Legere, Dance On Broadway, The Rooted Space, Kenwood Ballet School, and Chicago Public Schools. As an actor he played the role Iago from Othelo for Repertorio Latino Theater Company, Sharks’ ensemble in West Side Story at Marriott Theater, and Ramon in Zorro the Musical at Musical Theater Works. He recently earned his Pilates Certification through Kinetic Axis studying under Steven Winterstein and is certified nationally through the Pilates Method Alliance.
NICOLE VOLPE. A Chicagoland local, Nicole has had an eclectic performance career. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 2016 with a degree in Psychology, she returned home to Chicagoland to study at Lou Conte Dance Studio’s Scholarship Program. Before launching her career as a freelance dancer, she also trained at Ruth Page, Hubbard Street Professional Program, and ABT Summer Intensives, among others. In Chicago, she had the opportunity to dance as a season soloist with Mandala South Asian Arts, Ballerina #1 on FOX’s Empire, with Alma Dance School in their productions of Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tina Hansen’s Nutcracker in 2019. Most recently, she had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble and Mistress alternate in Drury Lane Theater’s production of Evita. She is now living in Boston, MA with her husband and three cats, where she runs Nicole Marie Photography. She continues to dance in Boston, and is excited to be dancing with City Ballet of Boston, collaborating with Harvard Ballet Company, and exploring her own choreographic work with the thriving Boston dance community. She is thrilled to be returning to dance with The Dance Factory’s Nutcracker!
Editor’s note: The following announcement was posted by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on December 9.
Deans Hayes, Goza to retire in 2023
Eileen M. Hayes [From UW-W website]
Eileen M. Hayes, dean of the College of Arts and Communication, and Franklin Goza, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, will retire from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater next year, they announced.
“It has been an honor to work with Dean Hayes and Dean Goza. Their commitment to the university and our mission of transforming lives is something I have been able to observe on a daily basis,” said Robin Fox, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Over the years, I’ve seen their strong support of their colleges, administrative teams, faculty and staff, their commitment to shared governance and their focus on students through offering high-quality, rigorous programs. Their retirements are well deserved and I wish them the very best. On a personal note, I will miss their thoughtful counsel, which I have often turned to for guidance.”
Hayes joined the Warhawk family in August of 2017.
“Dean Hayes, a noted scholar of Black music and LGBTQ community formation, has an impressive vitae. Of special note is her role in the College Music Society, which is the largest professional music society for the multi-disciplines,” Fox said. “She is the immediate past-president of the organization. This level of leadership is significant and helps to continue to elevate UW-Whitewater and the College of Arts and Communication on a national level.”
In a message to the college, Hayes remarked, “As I have said on numerous occasions, it is a pleasure to join you in furthering the education of our students. We have a marvelous faculty, academic staff, and university staff; the list of accomplishments of Music, Art and Design, Communication, Theatre/Dance, and Media Arts and Game Development is long. Daily, I marvel at my good fortune at having had the opportunity to work with you.”
Franklin Goza [From UW-W website]
Goza began his leadership role at UW-Whitewater as associate dean in August of 2013, and was hired as dean in June of 2019.
“Dean Goza’s work at UW-Whitewater has resulted in new majors, minors, certificates and emphases,” Fox said. “I would also draw attention to his support for the development of two new departments under his leadership — Computer Science and World Languages and Cultures. This type of support for the members of the college is just one example of Dean Goza’s strong and responsive leadership.”
In a message to the college, Goza remarked, “I want to thank all of you for everything that you do to make this a great college. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you and to serve as one of the college leaders during the past 10 years. It is truly a bittersweet moment for me as I thoroughly enjoy what I do, especially being able to interact on a regular basis with such dedicated and inspirational individuals like you.”
Hayes’ retirement is effective March 13, and Goza will retire June 30.
The national search for the College of Letters and Sciences dean has already begun and the national search for the dean of the College of Arts and Communication will be launched early in the spring semester.
Many caregivers have mixed feelings about holidays. They may have happy memories of the past, but they also may worry about the extra demands that holidays make on their time and energy.
Here are some ways to balance holiday-related activities while taking care of yourself and a loved one with dementia:
Safety first. Be sure holiday decorations are secured, cords are not loose and traffic areas are clear.
Simplify, simplify, simplify! Your everyday life requires much time and energy. Don’t add a lot of stress. Think of simple pleasures like taking a walk or taking a drive to view decorations. Prepare a special food together but keep it simple.
Take care of yourself. As difficult as it is to find time for rest, regular meals and exercise, try your best. Enlist friends to sit with your loved one.
Set your own limits. You do not have to live up to the expectations of friends or relatives. Your situation is different now.
Involve the person with Alzheimer’s in simple holiday preparations, or have him or her observe your preparations. Participating may give the person the pleasure of helping and the fun of anticipating and reminiscing.
Simplify meals and decorating. You don’t have to do everything you used to do. Find one tradition that is not too demanding and emphasize its connection with the past.
If visitors are desired, limit them and find a time when your loved one is at his or her best.
If your person with dementia gets upset or overstimulated, have some quiet distractions in your playbook, such as looking at photos or going for a walk.
Make sure there is a quiet space where the person can rest and have time to recharge.
Try to maintain your daily routine as much as possible and avoid noise, loud conversations, loud music, lighting that is too bright or too dark, and having too much rich food or drink (especially alcohol).
If you receive invitations to events that your loved one cannot attend, consider going yourself. Ask a friend or family member to spend time with the person while you’re out.
Happy Holidays to all!
This article is submitted by Dementia Friendly Community Initiative, a program of Whitewater Seniors in the Park.
