News

Editor’s Note: The information below was provided by Tom Ganser.

For the cast, tech crew, pit band, and adult directors of the Whitewater High School Players production of “Footloose” in November, 2021, the joyful cheers and applause of their audiences continued into January, 2022 with 16 nominations for the 2021-22 Jerry Awards.

The play was nominated for Outstanding Orchestra and Outstanding Overall Design.

Nominees for lead actor included Olive Coburn in her role as Vi Moore, Josh Kirley (Willard Hewitt), Haley Street (Rusty), Anderson Waelchli (Rev. Shaw Moore), and Marco Wence (Ren).

Brooke Mason (Wendy Jo), Madison Strickler (Ethel McCormack), and Alex Sullivan (Urleen) were nominated in the supporting actor category.

In the category of Production Team, Jim McCulloch was nominated for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Lighting Design, McCulloch and Kat Dunham for Outstanding Scenic Design, and Tony Hanson and Shane Kinson for Outstanding Sound Design. 

Also selected for recognition were Outstanding Costume Design and Outstanding Stage Crew.

Kayla Mikos was voted by the cast and crew as the “Footloose” Spirit Award winner who will represent the production and perform with the other Spirit winners at the Jerry Awards in June. 

The Jerry Awards program encourages, recognizes, and honors excellence in high school musical theater.   Educators, industry professionals, and theater experts review productions, provide valuable feedback and advice, and honor schools and individuals’ achievements with category-based awards.

The WHS Players have participated in the program since 2014’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” and their 2018 staging of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was honored as an Outstanding Musical.

“Footloose” was critiqued by three reviewers who attended either the Nov. 18 or the Nov. 19 performance. 

Jim McCulloch has served as director of WHS Players productions since “Anything Goes” in 2010.

After taking a look at the 22 pages of critique of  “Footloose” provided by the three reviewers, McCulloch said, “I always enjoy reading the comments that the reviewers provide, both good and bad.  Taking into account that it is one person’s perspective, I usually find them to be fair and accurate responses to what they saw on stage.  The constructive criticism is often useful to the production team and for performers to hear.  It helps all of us to learn from the experience and work on improving our skills for future productions.”

Margaret Wheeler, Choreographer for “Footloose,” said “The feedback was good for me and for the kids.”

As an example, Wheeler commented, “It would have benefitted the kids to see themselves dancing, with a dance mirror – which all dance studios have (which we didn’t have because it was a stage) – or perhaps a video of the dance to watch during rehearsal time.”

School and student achievements will be honored and featured in an awards show held at Madison Overture Center in June and two outstanding performers will be selected to represent the program at The National High School Musical Theater Awards (The Jimmys) competition in New York City.

Selected and brief excerpts from the reviewers’ extensive comments provide insights into what made “Footloose” a success.

Ensemble – “This ensemble kicked the dust off this ‘80s-themed jukebox classic, passing around the opening verses of the title song with big energy and bigger dance moves. They articulated well, with good projection and clarity, and the harmonies grew stronger in the transition to ‘On Any Sunday.’” (Reviewer 1)

Choreography & Dancing – “Overall, the style of choreography was appropriate for the musical. Using the whole stage and the different levels that it offered was impressive. The energy level of most of the actors was fun to watch.” (Reviewer 3)

Direction – “The crew and set changes were in and out at a nice pace, and I liked seeing the actors helping as well. Actors were incredibly prepared with their blocking and entrances and exits were strong. Incredible use of the set, using the levels to see the performers, but also to take us to different places in the storyline.”  (Reviewer 2)

Musical Direction & Orchestra – “The pit orchestra itself was a pleasure to hear, blended well, and tight on transitions. I particularly loved all the different percussion elements.  Overall the pit had a nice full sound. I can only imagine the charts for this musical are over the top fun and interesting to play.” (Reviewer 2)

Scenic Design – “Ren’s bright turquoise pants and roller skates stood out for all the right reasons, and Cole Schlicher (as Chuck Cranston) looked every inch the town bad boy in his fringe.  The lighting in this production was straightforward, with bold washes in blue, purple, and turquoise.  In ‘Holding Out for a Hero,’ a bleed to deep red coincided with the lyric ‘I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood’ – a nice touch.” (Reviewer 1)

Scene Change & Crew – “The scene changes during this production were fast and clean, with no substantial issues for the run of the show.  The show was called smoothly, and the pacing of scenes worked well.”  (Reviewer 3)

The reviewers also provided comments for the lead and supporting actors, including the following.

“Willard Hewitt was played by Josh Kirley, and after the first scene I couldn’t wait to see more of his performance. Such commitment to both comedic timing and awkward mannerisms that made the audience just adore Willard. Great physicality and Josh dove 100% into being that simple country bumpkin with a warm heart and a big smile. ‘Mama Says’ was icing on the cake.” (Reviewer 2)

“With Haley Street’s Rusty, the trio that included Alex Sullivan (Urleen) and Brooke Mason (Wendy Jo) was an absolute highlight of this production, from their snappy comic timing to their coordinated dance moves in ‘Hero’ and fine harmonies in ‘Somebody’s Eyes.’ Colorful and funny, they lifted every scene they were in.” (Reviewer 1)

The spring WHS Players production will be “Cinderella” in the WHS auditorium on Feb. 18 (7 p.m.), 19 (1 p.m. and 7 p.m.), and 20 (7 p.m.).

This new staged version of the classic story has comedy, poignancy, charm, and enchantment in just the right amounts.

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the City of Whitewater.

The Whitewater Community Development Authority currently has a vacant seat for interested community members to apply.

The Community Development Authority of the City of Whitewater exists to promote housing and community development programs, sustainable development, economic opportunity, and increased tax-base, and empowerment of its residents to benefit the entire City of Whitewater.

Meetings are held the fourth Thursday, January through October and the third Thursday of November and December at 5:30 p.m.

The committee reviews: • Grants for qualifying startup businesses • Industrial Development Loans for manufacturing businesses • Commercial Enterprise Loans for retail and service businesses • Micro-Loan Program has a maximum loan amount of $15,000 • Façade Loan Program for exterior improvements to commercial buildings • Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for development in designated districts in the city • A no interest housing repair and rehabilitation loan program

To learn more about the committee or Economic Development department, contact Cathy Anderson, Economic Development Director at (262) 473-0148 or CAnderson@whitewater-wi.gov.

Interested in this committee or learning about the vacancy of other committees, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/275/Apply-for-Boards-Commissions.

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh officials have released the names of Whitewater students who qualified for the Dean’s List and Honor Roll in fall 2021 across its three campuses (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities and Oshkosh):

Hannah Allen, Dean’s List
James DuVal, Dean’s List
Michael Fernandez, Honor Roll
Jazmine Peterson, Dean’s List


Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

The Whitewater Arts Alliance’s position of Manager will be opening soon! This fulfilling and stimulating role connects our community with the arts and culture. From coordinating gallery shows and performing arts events to designing our website and marketing to our audience, this position offers a variety of work and a flexible part-time schedule in a partially remote format. If you believe in the power and importance of art and would like to nurture that in your community, we encourage you to apply. For more information, visit https://www.whitewaterarts.org/manager and apply by emailing Megan Matthews at waa.careers@gmail.com.

Following is the more information about the Whitewater Arts Alliance followed by the job description:

Mission Statement
The mission of the Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc. is to promote the visual and performing arts
through an alliance of artists, individuals, educational resources, and organizations to promote
creativity and diversity that will serve to educate and enrich the lives of the residents of the
Whitewater community and surrounding areas.

WAA Purpose Statements
To make the visual and performing arts an essential part of the lives of all Whitewater citizens.
To foster an appreciation for these arts by initiating partnerships, developing new audiences, and
sponsoring diverse artistic activities by emerging and established artists and art organizations
while preserving Whitewater’s rich, diverse, and historic culture.
To nurture an appreciation for the arts by working cooperatively with a consortium of artists, art
organizations, and art advocates in our community to foster lifelong involvement with the arts for
our children, our community, and our individual lives, and make Whitewater a better place to
live.

To support, promote, and develop the arts as an essential and integral part of revitalization and
growth for our community.

The Cultural Arts Center
The Whitewater Cultural Arts Center is the home of the Whitewater Arts Alliance, Inc and is
located on the second floor of the historical building, the White Memorial Library.
An excerpt from the Whitewater Landmarks brochure: “The White Memorial Library is an
example of simple classicism with its hip roof, entrance decorated with colossal ionic columns
and full pediment over a wide frieze. This design is one of the standard library designs by the
noted architectural firm of Claude and Starch of Madison. These architects were well known for
their prairie style houses and the interior of this building is in this style. Mary Flavia White
donated this building to the city for use by the Whitewater Free Library (1904 to 1992). It now is
home to the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center and the Whitewater Public television station.”

Manager Job Description for the Whitewater Arts Alliance
Description:
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) is seeking an individual to fill part-time manager position
starting spring 2022. The position will report directly to the WAA Board President or
President-designee. There will be a probationary period of 3 months after starting this position
and an annual review by the board for reappointment.
Schedule:
● 20 hours per week – flexible hours, with the ability to work remotely. Some weekend
hours required.
Examples of Work & Projects:
Administrative:
● Assist with the scheduling of exhibits, preparation of artist loan agreements, and
preparation of exhibit labels and educational information including didactic labels and/or
handouts.
● Provide clear information about exhibits or planned events to docents and visitors, and be
prepared to answer questions about the current exhibit or future events.
● Maintain a guest book and a visitor count.
● Schedule, support and supervise volunteers including students and community members
when they are working in the Gallery.
● Managing the WAA communications, including emails, phone contacts and working with
members, community partners and artists in a timely manner.
● Keep records such as online payments, memberships, sponsorships, etc. current.
● Support the organization’s mission by building and maintaining professional networks.
● Support the Membership and Recording Secretaries as required.
Exhibit Management:
● Manage and recruit volunteers and exhibit chairs in exhibition responsibilities such as
receiving and returning of artworks, unwrapping and rewrapping exhibit materials and
assisting with gallery installations. Ensure adequate supplies for artists for installing
shows. Exhibits may be in-person, virtual or hybrid.
● Assist volunteers and exhibit chairs with the preparations for exhibit openings and other
gallery receptions including shopping for refreshments and helping to set up food and
beverages for openings or special events, as well as support post-event clean up.
Other event management:
● Assist with planning and coordination of performing arts events.
● Assist with planning and coordination of workshop events.
Marketing/Communication:
● Update the WAA website to keep it current and relevant. This includes creating virtual
and hybrid shows when appropriate.
● Assist with the mailing list for the Whitewater Arts Alliance; manage the list, adding new
names or updating mailing information as required.
● Distribute press releases and publicity material such as flyers or posters. As necessary,
access organization e-mail and social media accounts and update information.
● Photograph installations and document exhibits by recording and cataloging photographic
images, paperwork, publicity and any public commentary in either paper or electronic
formats.
● Photograph receptions and events for marketing and communication purposes.
Facility Management:
● Ensure a clean gallery space.
● Coordinate facility maintenance with board, city and volunteers as needed.
Other duties may be assigned by the Board of Directors
Requirements/Desired Skills:
● Strong written & verbal communication skills
● Organized; self-motivated; able to work independently on projects and abide by timelines
● Ability to effectively work with a board of directors and other community leaders
● Experience with gallery management
● Experience in event management
● Experience in volunteer management
● Experience in website management
● Experience in bookkeeping and handling payment transactions
● Public Relations experience (creating social media posts, press releases, newsletters, etc.)
● Experience with public speaking and coordinating group meetings/presentations is
helpful
● Familiarity with grant writing and fundraising is helpful
● Interest in community involvement/community partnership building
Benefits:
● $18.00/hour

To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and availability to Megan Matthews at
waa.careers@gmail.com.

Five WHS Students performed in the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Honors Choirs on Saturday evening, January 15.

Marco Wence sang in the Bass Clef Choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Peterson. Anders Clarksen, Lauren Rollette, Skylar Staebler, and Haley Street sang under the direction of Dr. Frank Watkins.

Students in each choir were nominated by their school choir director and selected by the WCDA Honors Choir committee. The students who were selected prepared several songs in advance and then rehearsed the pieces with the conductor and the choir for two days before the performance on Saturday at Bader Hall on the UW-Milwaukee campus.

The students gave a beautiful and inspiring performance. Congratulations to them all! 

Article and Photos Submitted by Karen Tordera
Whitewater High School Choral Director
ktordera@wwusd.org

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.,^[1] and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year. Born in 1929, King’s actual birthday is January 15 (which in 1929 fell on a Tuesday). The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21.

King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The campaign for a federal holiday in King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later. At first, some states resisted observing the holiday as such, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It was officially observed in all 50 states for the first time in 2000.

Text and homepage image from Wikipedia.

Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area.

The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area invites its members and the public to participate in “A Conversation on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI),” on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 6:30 PM.

Since its founding in 1920, the League’s reputation as a trusted source for voter information has rested on its Nonpartisanship Policy, which states, “[League] does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.” Likewise, the League’s relatively new DEI Policy, protects the League’s good name as an organization, “fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice.” These two policies represent our core values. But has our League fully internalized what it means to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization? This meeting is designed to answer that question.

Furthermore, the program will not only conclude with actionable takeaways but also the exciting announcement of our new Book Club, designed to continue our exploration of the meaning, impact, value, need, and urgency of DEI.

This event will be virtual via Zoom. To attend live, please join the meeting by using the URL: https://bit.ly/lwv-ww_membership_dei

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!

On Saturday, January 8, members of the Whitewater High School FIRST Robotics Team Ferradermis gathered in the library at WHS for the worldwide reveal of the new game for the 2022 Season, Rapid React. The scoring opportunities in this year’s game are modeled after an airport, as the game is sponsored by Boeing, and revolves around a theme of transporting cargo. Robots must shoot oversized tennis balls (cargo) into the “hub” during both the autonomous portion of the game and during the driver-operated portion of the game. Robots may retrieve additional cargo from the “terminal,” and during the end-game, climb across a series of rungs in the “hangar.”

The team will now have approximately six more weeks to finish planning, designing, building, wiring, coding, and testing their robot before leaving for their first regional competition. To make this happen, they will meet at WHS four nights each week and all day on Saturday. The team currently has 28 members, over half of them new to robotics, and is led by a trio of seniors, each with four years of experience on the team, Elijah Grall, Shane Kinson, and Andrew Rollette.

For the first time this season, Ferradermis will be participating in three regional events, instead of their typical two. This will give our seniors a chance to experience more events since so many were cancelled in their sophomore and junior years due to the pandemic. After a practice event at Sussex Hamilton High School on February 20, the team will compete in Duluth, Minnesota, at the Lake Superior Regional from March 2 – 5. Then, over Spring Break, they will compete at the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee, defending their 2018 and 2019 titles. (The Wisconsin Regional was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID.) Finally, the team will compete at the Seven Rivers Regional in La Crosse from March 30 – April 2. A win at any of these events as an alliance captain or an alliance’s first pick during selections will secure an invitation to the World Championships which will be held in Houston this year in late April. This is a tighter set of qualification requirements than a typical year in order to reduce the number of teams at the championship event.

The team is supported by a large group of adult mentors including professional engineers, professional programmers, metal workers, teachers, entrepreneurs, school staff members, and college students who participated in FIRST Robotics as high school students. Among the current full-time mentors for the team are Ferradermis alumni Zach Brantmeier and Sam Meyer. The students of Ferradermis are forever grateful to the Whitewater community for their support of their endeavor.

The team will hold its annual open house on Saturday, February 12, from 9 am until noon. Community members, family members, and sponsors are welcome to come check out the workspace and learn more about the team and this year’s robot.  

You can follow the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ferradermis or learn more about the team that is open to all Whitewater High School students at www.ferradermis.org.

To learn about the rules of this year’s game, watch the Game Animation below:

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Whitewater is searching for a solution to problems providing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) because of increasing service demands, higher costs and the decreasing number of available volunteers. It appears to share that problem with neighboring communities.

The City’s current arrangement with Whitewater Fire Department, Incorporated (WFD, Inc.) has been under review in closed door sessions for several months. The largely volunteer organization last year provided over 1600 calls for medical services averaging over four calls per day.

WFD Inc. voted earlier this month to issue a “Letter of Intent” indicating their interest in both Fire and EMS functions becoming city operations, citing the difficulty of recruiting part-time Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) along with a dwindling number of paid on-call volunteers. That change would likely increase costs considerably. WFD, Inc. is funded by a roughly $250,000 contribution from the City of Whitewater, contracts with surrounding communities and fundraising. Its annual operating budget has been roughly $1 million.

In Fort Atkinson the ‘Jefferson County Daily Union’ reports that the city will be scheduling a referendum in April to authorize hiring cross-trained EMTs/Firefighters along with additional police officers. They currently contract with a private EMS provider. Communities like Fort and Whitewater that take on expanded services without a positive vote on a referendum authorizing the additional costs face a likely financial penalty in the form of reduced state “shared revenue.”

In nearby Milton, ‘The Gazette’ reports that the Fire Department intends to formally pursue merging with the Edgerton Fire Protection District. They had been in talks with the City of Janesville. The proposed merger would include the Towns of Harmony, Johnstown and Lima. Both Johnstown and Lima currently have services agreements with Whitewater’s WFD, Inc.

Milton, like Fort Atkinson, is in the process of formalizing a contract with a communications firm to prepare the required referendum and provide advice on how successful referendums have been conducted.

WFD, Inc. today provides fire and EMS services to the Jefferson County Townships of Cold Spring and Koshkonong and the Walworth County Town of Richmond along with the two Rock County communities that are approaching Edgerton in partnership with Milton. They also maintain mutual aid agreements with other nearby communities.

“The ability of communities to provide an appropriate level of fire and emergency services is in jeopardy and may soon necessitate an emergency response…”, according to a recent report by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF). The report indicates that over 92% of Wisconsin’s fire departments are volunteer or “mostly volunteer.”

WFD, Inc. is currently advertising to fill several paid “on premise” part-time EMT positions whose wage rate will increase to $22 per hour from the previous $18 per hour rate. “We are in a very competitive field,” explained EMS Assistant Fire Chief Ashley Vickers.

The WI Policy Forum report references a state EMS Association analysis that “even with higher rates of pay staffing shortages are a problem at most departments.” Part-time positions generally do not provide the full array of benefits that highly trained EMTs often consider important in making employment decisions.

The report also points out that Wisconsin local governments’ reliance on “shared revenue” compounds the problem. “Shared revenue” is often the only source of supplemental funding for municipal services that are not tied to an existing state program. Fire and EMS services fall into that category. The “proportional share” of communities’ annual expenditures for Fire and EMS have been “lagging” according to the WPF report. The report states that “Fire/Ambulance spending is starting to trend down” as a percent of total community budgets as the costs of other services increase.

The WPF report points out that long-term solutions that could ultimately result in changes to service areas will require careful planning that “could take years to effectuate.” “In the shorter term,” the report concludes that “… greater financial assistance from the state or adjustments to financial constraints on local governments could be helpful.”

The City of Whitewater’s reaction to the WFD, Inc. proposal is likely to be a subject for the February 1 Common Council meeting..