News

On November 11, students currently enrolled in computer science courses participated in Bebra’s International Computational Thinking Challenge, and the results were just released. This online problem-solving competition challenged participants to break down puzzles into smaller steps to solve them, just as you would need to approach a problem when writing a computer program. Freshmen and sophomores competed in the junior division, while juniors and seniors were part of the senior division. The problem set consisted of 15 problems worth varying point values depending on difficulty, and the competition was timed at 45 minutes. Penalty points were charged for incorrect solutions, so students had to decide whether they were confident enough in a problem’s solution to submit it for scoring.

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In the junior division, freshman Andrew O’Toole came out with the top score for all WHS participants, scoring a school-best 132 out of 180 points. Andrew is currently in enrolled in Computer Programming I, studying Python programming. Second place in the junior division went to Atreyu Blahnik, who is currently studying Digital Electronics, and third place went to Computer Concepts student Viktor Goldsmith.

In the senior division, Digital Electronics senior Jon Chan came out on top, earning 128 out of 180 possible points. Arno Crowley, currently working on an independent Senior Project, placed second. There was a three-way tie for third between Digital Electronics student Tyjai Geoghan, AP Computer Science student Andrew Swartz, and Cisco Networking Academy student Nicholas Weirich.

Bebra’s is an annual competition that all Whitewater High School students are invited to challenge themselves to complete.

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

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

For those who missed the final city leaf pickup, there is one final opportunity to send your leaves to the compost pile. Friday 12/3, is the last day that dumpsters for leaf disposal will be available at the City garage, 150 E. Starin Road, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bio bags do not need to be emptied, but others do. Spring collection will be dependent on weather conditions.

Whitewater Community Foundation Recognizes the Life and Loss of Jim Stewart,
Founder of the Whitewater Banner

Among the many positive things Jim Stewart did in the Whitewater
Community was his creation of a site for local news because he knew the
great value of an informed community. He had the vision, set up the
mechanism for such a site, ran it for many years, and set the
expectations for it to continue. And when it became difficult to keep it
going, the Whitewater Community Foundation took over the financial
sponsorship and stewardship so that this valuable community asset
could be maintained.

Thank you, Jim, for the Whitewater Banner and for all you have done for
our community.

The Whitewater Community Foundation Board of Directors

About WCF: The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to “Enhance quality of
life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent
expenditures” through scholarships and community action grants. To donate and support
the continuation of the Whitewater Banner, simply send a check made out to Whitewater
Community Foundation to P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI, 53190, or donate online
at whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by hitting the “Donate” button on top of the contact page.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront Room-2nd Floor
312 W Whitewater St.
(This will be a hybrid meeting.)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/890013397
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 890-013-397

City of Whitewater Fire & EMS Service Discussion – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda
Municipal Building Community Room

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes possible merger of WFD, Inc. with City of Whitewater, Board of Directors vacancy/EMS with no candidates, and proposed constitution change.
Location: WFD, Inc Training Room – This meeting will have a virtual option. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone :
meet.google.com/zgg-nmue-ehy
You can also dial in using your phone
Meeting ID: 1 352-462-5078
Passcode: 643 534 517#

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Community Room
312 Whitewater Street
Agenda includes Effigy Mounds Preserve – Report: City Manager’s Plan, Update on Dylan Ledwith Request (UWW Anthropology Dept. Request); Consideration of ordinance change regarding Birge Fountain Committee

Have you seen this month’s Park Bench Newsletter? Here are a few easy ways to stay in the know for upcoming activities! Don’t miss out on the fun.

Check out the Seniors in the Park activities that have been added to the Whitewater Banner Community Calendar; a screenshot below shows the calendar’s location on the Banner’s website:

View the December Park Bench Newsletter, and many others in the Helpful Links section of the Banner’s website:

And if a paper copy is your preference, pick one up at a variety of locations around town. Jessica’s Family Restaurant, Discover Whitewater Offices, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, City of Whitewater Municipal Building, and the Starin Park Community Building are a few locations where printed versions are distributed!

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the governor.

Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #143 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Tues., Nov. 30, 2021, as a mark of respect for Wisconsin State Patrol Master Trooper Daniel Stainbrook, who lost his life in the line of duty due to complications from contracting COVID-19. “The state of Wisconsin lost a true public servant with the passing of Dan Stainbrook. With two decades of dedicated service to his community and the state of Wisconsin, his loss is felt deeply by all those who knew and worked with him,” said Gov. Evers in a statement released at the time of Master Trooper Stainbrook’s passing. “Dan was a part of our team, and Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to Dan’s family and loved ones as well as his colleagues in the Wisconsin State Patrol and Department of Transportation during this incredibly challenging time.” Services for Master Trooper Stainbrook will be held on Tues., Nov. 30, 2021. Executive Order #143 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Tues., Nov. 30, 2021.

Editor’s note: The following tribute was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The state of Wisconsin, the Whitewater community and the Whitewater Unified School
District lost a true public servant with the passing of Jim Stewart. Jim served on the WUSD School Board for almost 27 years. He was elected as a School Board Member in April, 1981, and served until April, 2002. He ran again in 2016 and was elected that April. He continued to serve until his passing on November 26. During his time with WUSD he served as a Board President for six years, Vice President for two years, and Treasurer
for six years.

“His loss will be felt deeply by all those who knew him. Every Board and staff member that knew Jim, knew he was a champion for education. He was the first person I met when I arrived at my new position,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “Jim was able to support our direction with history and a background that will be unmatched. The WUSD family extends its deepest condolences to Jim’s family. He will forever be a Whippet.”