It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. Happy May Day! A few years ago we posted a photo of a May Pole with people that were dressed just like the people in this photo. The photos suggest activities that may have been related to May Day celebrations. After a bit of research in the Whitewater Register, it was discovered that in the 1910s, Normal School (UWW) students put on May Day programs that were quite elaborate. This photo and the previously published May pole photo are images probably taken at one of these programs. Celebrating May Day was a popular activity on campus for many years.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
The vendors who’ve been inside from late fall to early spring are taking the week off from the Indoor City Market at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center. A larger market will open outside beginning next Tuesday, May 5. Further information will be forthcoming soon.
Details about all events can be found on the library’s website at whitewaterlibrary.org/events. Some events require registration, which can also be done on the library’s website or by contacting the library. All library programs are always free and open to the public.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
The Walworth/Jefferson Chapter of the Ice Age Trail has organized two family friendly hikes in honor of our neighboring city, Palmyra, becoming an Ice Age Trail Community!
Join us for a pre-Mother’s Day hike on May 3. Yes, Mother’s Day is actually on May 10.
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Walworth/Jefferson Chapter of the Ice Age Trail.
Congratulations to the Culinary Team of Mady Stevens, Emma Valadez and Karlee Korbel Villegas on being chosen as honorable mention in the DPI Whipping Up Challenge Culinary Competition. Their recipe, Southwestern Lime Chicken Rice Bowl will be featured in the DPI cookbook for 2026-27. The girls had to create a healthy entree that could be potentially served in our school lunch program. The team is coached by Lynn Weilbrenner.
Article and Photos Submitted by Lynn Weilbrenner Whitewater High School Family and Consumer Science Teacher lweilbrenner@wwusd.org
Calling all music makers! Kids and families are invited to “Family Jams: Music, Movement, and Instrument Exploration” at the Whitewater Public Library on Saturday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. in Meeting Room 1. Explore world instruments in the “Instrument Lab,” dance and move to expressive music, and make music together at “Family Jams,” a memorable music & movement experience for the whole family. All ages welcome! There is no cost or registration.
10:30-11:00: Instrument Lab: everyone can freely explore and “jam” with a variety of world instruments.
11:00-11:45: Music and Movement “Family Jams” — dance and create music together as a group.
The class is taught by Noelle Larson, a Board-Certified Music Therapist, graduate of Whitewater High School and Berklee College of Music, and the owner of Circle of Song Music Therapy, LLC. Noelle has a passion for helping clients and participants to “Connect, Thrive, and Come Alive Through Music,” strengthen family relationships, learn adaptive coping strategies, and experience wonder and joy through the delight of participating in live music making.
The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. For more information, visit whitewaterlibrary.org, email library@whitewater-wi.gov or call 262-473-0530.
Being a writer is much more than just the ability to arrange words on a page. It is capturing moments, invoking feelings, and communicating effectively in a wide variety of situations.
Monica Cull, a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduate from Hartford, Wisconsin, has always considered herself a writer. Having been drawn to writing travel blogs and other forms of journalistic writing since she was young, she knew that she wanted to go into a career that would allow her skill with words to flourish.
As a first-generation college student whose parents both worked in trade careers, Cull’s educational journey was a winding path. Prior to her time at UW-Whitewater, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Washington County, an institution that prepared students to transfer to a four-year university.
In 2014, Cull made the decision to become a Warhawk, a choice that was fueled by both a care for her family back at home and a deep desire to pursue her passion for writing — she eventually declared majors in both English (creative writing) and journalism.
“During that time, it was hard to be away from my family. The campus was easy to commute to, so I could still be there to support them,” said Cull. “I also knew that Whitewater had a really good creative writing program.”
From the moment she began at the UW-Whitewater campus, it became clear to Cull that she was entering an era of her life that would be filled with endless opportunities and connections. It did not take long before it “felt like home.”
Finding her niche
While Cull knew she wanted to pursue an English degree, it was hard to decide from the many possible routes the major afforded her.
Cull stated that it was the individualized support from faculty members of the creative writing department who helped her discover the kinds of writing that excited her. Professors such as Donald Jellerson, Deborah Fratz, and Holly Wilson — associate professors of literature, writing, and film — played large roles in her journey as a student writer.
“The professors really make the program stand out. A lot of the classes teach you how to be a more versatile writer, and how to use creative writing skills in the real world,” said Cull. “I have emailed my professors after graduation, and they have given me advice. It is clear that they want to see their students succeed.”
The well-rounded writing education Cull received allowed her to experiment with writing in a variety of different formats. She discovered newfound confidence in areas such as interviewing, social media writing, screenwriting, and more — all of which she was able to translate into her professional career.
In 2017, Cull was offered a chance to spend a semester studying communications and journalism in Dalkeith, Scotland, through the Experience Scotland program. She jumped at the opportunity.
“Studying abroad was the best thing I’ve ever done in my whole life,” said Cull. “I met my fiancé there, and it made me realize that being a writer can give you the flexibility to write from anywhere.”
UW-Whitewater alum Monica Cull.
From student to professional editor
Right after Cull graduated in 2019, she was hired as an intern at Cream City Marketing and was able to immediately apply the versatile writing skills she developed during her undergraduate career to work her way up to a copywriter position.
“I remember being about to graduate and people were concerned about finding jobs. With my creative writing background, I was able to get a job in marketing,” said Cull. “These skills propelled me into my journalism career.”
After four years of working at the marketing agency, Cull saw an opening in a nearby town for an assistant editor position at Discover Magazine, a science magazine that publishes articles on new scientific developments. Her multifaceted talents in both creative writing and journalism made her stand out as a candidate, and she landed the job.
“I took a huge risk,” said Cull. “I am not a huge city person, and to find a job in journalism in Waukesha was crazy, so I applied.”
Cull now works as the digital editor for Discover, editing stories from freelance writers along with writing her own. Through this position, she sees her writing education translate directly into her daily work. She has also found herself forming connections with — and learning from — people she had never thought she would meet.
A screen shot of UW-Whitewater alum Monica Cull’s interview with Neil deGrasse Tyson, renowned astrophysicist, for Discover Magazine in 2023.
Cull interviewed nationally renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in 2023 for her article “Sci-Fi and Bringing Back the Mammoth with Neil deGrasse Tyson,” which she refers to as the highlight of her career.
“I never thought I would be a science journalist. It is a good example of how having skills like script writing and other versatile writing abilities is important,” said Cull.
With the rise of artificial intelligence, current and incoming creative writing students may be worried about what the future of professional writing careers may look like. Cull argues that, on the contrary, the need for strong writers in the world is greater than ever.
“I think it will become even more critical to have people who know how to write well and consistently,” said Cull. “Don’t give up and don’t be afraid to try different kinds of writing. Newscasters and podcasts need people to write for them, too.”
Sometimes a few simple words change how we look at things.
When thinking back on the most influential moments that fueled her to continue writing, Cull recalls what her friend from UW-Whitewater said to her during a moment of uncertainty — one small, pivotal phrase that stuck with her.
Congratulations to the WHS Music students who performed at the WSMA State Solo/Ensemble Festival on the UW-Whitewater Campus last Saturday, April 25th! Twenty-five events received a 1st rating and five events received a 2nd rating. Congratulations to all students who made it to State! Results for competitors can be found at https://wsmamusic.org/festivals/state/whitewater/results/
The Exemplary Performance Recognition Project expands recognition of outstanding performers at the WSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival. State festival adjudicators select the most exceptional performances at each of the festival campuses through a two-step process. One WHS event received the Exemplary Performance Recognition Award: Ava Van Daele (Musical Theater Solo) and 3 other events were nominated for consideration: Ian Agen (Musical Theater Solo), Lia Ramirez (Musical Theater Solo), Ian Agen and Ava Van Daele (Classical Soprano Tenor Duet).
Article and Photos Submitted by MacKenzie Gehrke Whitewater High School Vocal Music Instructor gehma01@wwusd.org
The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Spring Community Action Grants. Grants will be awarded to local non-profit organizations actively working to support the greater Whitewater community with educational, cultural, charitable and benevolent projects that will benefit and improve the community.
Projects are expected to be accomplished within a specific period of time (generally not more than one year) and should be creative, innovative and address community needs. The deadline for submitting applications is April 30, 2026.
Virginia Coburn, WCF Board Member who chairs the Community Action Grant Selection Committee, said, “I’m inspired by the number of local organizations sponsoring programs and projects to benefit the community. The Foundation has given grants to The Community Space, Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, First United Methodist Church, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Whitewater Rescue Squad and many more. I invite you to read the pages on our website to see if one of your projects is eligible for an action grant.”
The Foundation continues to provide and host scholarships for Whitewater High School students and also offers fiscal sponsorship to organizations that are seeking 501(c) (3) status or require temporary pass-through funds for worthy community projects.
The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.
