Editor’s note: We are grateful for you, our reader, and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We’d also like to express our appreciation to the many individuals and organizations that provide event announcements, Readers Share submissions, obituaries, etc. for us to share with the greater Whitewater community.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and around the same part of the year in other places. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among most religions after harvests and at other times of the year. The Thanksgiving holiday’s history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.
[The above information is from Wikipedia.]
The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Sue Junky from Pixabay.
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Deb Weberpal.
For November National Caregivers Month, the Whitewater Dementia Friendly Community Initiative recognized local caregivers with gift cards, flowers and cards of thanks. Pictured are some of the caregivers from Rockin’ Respite.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week it is Flashback Friday on a Thursday as we use this opportunity to offer everyone a Happy Thanksgiving via one of the penny postcards in our collection. We hope you are all having a wonderful holiday.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
Paul Jhona writes, “A no fly zone exists around Holy Hill for drones. You reach a point in height and closeness where you are stopped by an invisible barrier from going any higher or closer. What an impressive Religious Site!”
Our thanks to Paul Jhona AKA “A Bird’s View” for another beautiful drone photo.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
“3 – 2 – 1 – LEGO!” These words could be heard over and over from the announcers at Mukwonago High School on Saturday, November 18, as they counted down to the start of a match for the 36 FIRST Lego League (FLL) Teams from around southeastern Wisconsin who had gathered for their regional tournament. The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) was well represented with five teams participating – the Lakeview BrickLayers, Lincoln BrickLayers, Washington BrickLayers, and two teams from the middle school: WMS Iron Dragons – Silver and WMS Iron Dragons – Red.
The Middle School Iron Dragons Take the Field in Mukwonago. During each match, four students can interact with the table and the robot, two on each corner of the table.
Earlier this fall, teams learned the details of this year’s season theme – Masterpiece! All of the FIRST Robotics games this year are celebrating STEAM, adding Art to the traditional STEM acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. FLL teams were asked to prepare an Innovation Project where they explored the use of art and technology to solve a problem related to one of their hobbies. They were also presented with a playing field that celebrated all aspects of art, music, and theater. The playing field had 15 missions for the students to complete, and teams could choose which missions they wanted to try and accomplish in each 2-minute 30-second robot run with their Lego Spike Prime robot, designing attachments for the robot that would be appropriate for the variety of missions.
Sara Brautigam at Lakeview, Lisa Kaminski at Lincoln, and Chris Nate, Val Troxel, and Michelle Marshall at Washington formed their teams of 4th and 5th graders soon after the school year started. Teams have been meeting up to two nights after school each week ever since in order to prepare for the Mukwonago event. The Washington team was also able to participate in a scrimmage in Muskego in early October to get the feel for what a competition would be like. With so many students interested in joining FLL, Lincoln also created two additional teams that were able to compete in-house at an event at Lincoln Elementary on November 16. Kerry Ramsden at the middle school was able to register two teams officially with FIRST, and both were able to travel to Mukwonago.
Lincoln 4th and 5th GradersLincoln 5th GradersWashingtonLakeviewSome of the teams had a chance to pose for photos, including the Lincoln 4th graders who competed at Lincoln Elementary on November 16.
When the teams arrived in Mukwonago, they were able to set up a display of their materials in the pit, the area where teams can go to work between judging sessions and robot runs. This pit also provides an opportunity for teams to check out each other’s work.
The “pit” is an area where teams can display their projects and work on their robots. Multiple practice tables are available for teams to use throughout the day.
During an event, each team spends a 30-minute period with a panel of three judges. This time is divided into two 5-minute presentations (one for the project and one for the robot design) with question and answer periods with the judges in between. Teams are also allotted time to discuss the core values of FIRST (discovery, innovation, impact, fun, inclusion, and teamwork) with the judges. The judges love to hear about how everyone on the team worked together to solve problems throughout the season!
In addition to the judging session, teams were each scheduled for four robot runs in the gym. The first of these was a practice match to allow the students to work with the referees to make sure they understood what they could and couldn’t do during a match. Scores for each of their three official robot runs were compiled and only their best score counted in the final rankings. The Washington Bricklayers earned the top robot score of any Whitewater team, increasing their score from 200 in their first run to 220 in their second run, and finally to 250 in their last run. Everyone was incredibly proud of how the middle school red team responded after dropping their robot on the way to their first match and needing to rewrite all of their code on the fly between matches. In addition to recording their robot scores, referees also rated each team on their gracious professionalism (think sportsmanship) during matches, which factored into each team’s core values rankings.
Lakeview BrickLayersMiddle School Iron DragonsLincoln BrickLayersWashington BrickLayersWashington BrickLayersEach team had four robot runs in the gym. The first was for practice, and then the best run of the other three was recorded as a team’s final score.
A team’s final ranking was calculated by weighting scores from each of four areas: 25% from the project rubric, 25% from the robot explanation rubric, 25% from the best robot run, and 25% from the core values rubric/gracious professionalism score. While the judges deliberated the final awards and decided which teams would advance to sectionals, students and mentors participated in a team parade in the gym, followed by a dance party! Washington Elementary was nominated by the judges for both the Rising All-Star Award and the Break-through Award. None of the Whitewater teams will advance to the next level this year, but the students learned an incredible amount about teamwork, organization, documentation, and coding and are already talking about next year.
Several Ferradermis Members Came to Watch, Learn, and Offer SupportThe Judges Prepare to Congratulate Award Winners with High FivesLakeview Enters During the Parade of TeamsLincoln Enters During the Parade of TeamsWashington Enters During the Parade of TeamsEnd of Day Festivities
If you have questions about robotics programs in the Whitewater Unified School District, please reach out to one of the following:
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor lmasbruch@wwusd.org Photos Courtesy of Numerous Parents, Ferradermis Members, and FIRST Wisconsin
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
It was standing room only at the Common Council meeting on November 7, and it seemed evident that most of the crowd was there to show support for the inclusion in the ’24-25 budget of the proposed $3,000,000 borrowing for the Irvin L. Young Library renovation and expansion. The council had presented the library with a challenge in 2021 to raise half of the estimated cost, with the city borrowing the other half in January, 2024 if the library completed the fundraising in time. The library raised more than $2,300,000 to be added to the library reserves of $840,000.
As was known when the challenge was made, a council cannot guarantee that a future council will support a promise of this nature. Three current councilmembers were newly elected since 2021. Recently there had been some concerns expressed about the pledge. Jill Gerber had raised the question as to whether two council members who had supported the fundraising campaign would have a conflict of interest and consequently might need to recuse themselves from voting on the library funding. Additionally, one council person is a member of the Capital Campaign Leadership Committee. Jonathan McDonell, city attorney, provided an opinion that the contributions and committee membership would not represent a conflict of interest.
At the November 7 meeting, Gerber expressed concern that the public be aware that in addition to the proposed library project, the city has “a full agenda of costly projects to prioritize,” including: $1.7 million for reconstruction of Ann, Fremont and Forest Streets and resurfacing of Walworth Avenue, demolition ($300,000) or rehabilitation ($1.5 million) of the Starin Park water tower, a $10 million streets garage, the Police Department needing three new additional officers, increased expenses for the Aquatic and Fitness Center, and possible increased costs under a new agreement with UW-W for the Innovation Center. In addition, last year the citizens approved a $1.2 million referendum for fire and EMS services. Nonetheless, Gerber appreciated the many messages of support she had received for the library, and she indicated that she would continue to support the borrowing. Positive comments were also made by James Allen, David Stone and Brienne Brown.
Lukas Schreiber obviously anticipated that there would be a large number of public comments, as he offered to use a timer to keep track of the three minute limit. The first three speakers were all leaders in the fundraising efforts: Jim Winship, Jon Kachel, and Gayle Stettler. All reflected on the rewarding experience they had in garnering support for the project. Kachel stated that when asking for money, sometimes you get the door slammed, but “the door never shut.” Kristine Zaballos reminisced that her late grandmother served on the library board, whom she knew would say “thank you” to all who have contributed to the project. Zaballos called the facility a “gem.” Allen seemed surprised when no other citizens approached the podium. City Manager John Weidl opined, “I think they heard what they wanted.”
The proposed $3,000,000 borrowing in January, 2024 for the library project will be included in the budget that is presented to the council for consideration on Tuesday, November 21.
On Saturday, November 18, WHS students participated in the Madison Model United Nations conference at Middleton High School. The Madison Area Model United Nations (MADMUN) Conference is a high school Model UN conference organized and run by students from multiple high schools throughout Wisconsin. The conference is geared towards students of all ability levels (beginner through advanced) and is a great way to kick off the Model UN conference season. Students learn the structure of parliamentary procedure, how to debate and communicate ideas, and how to problem-solve international issues.
Those who participated were Maddison LaHaie, Giulia Ristagno, Carly Boudreau, Xavier Zei, and Emilia Houwers (not pictured).
MADMUN allows its participants to step outside their comfort zones, outside the echo chambers that many of our media algorithms, friend groups, peers, and families often become. By acquiring knowledge about diverse international cultures, policies, and approaches to some of the most pressing topics of our world today, delegates learn valuable lessons in communication, compromise, and empathy.
Students wrote position papers and participated in various issues at MADMUN, ranging from AI in the workplace to Ukrainian Refugees in Italy. Emilia Houwers served as a Co-Chair of the Human Rights Council at MADMUN along with Sam Witt of Lake Mills High School. This leadership role was the first time a WHS student had ever participated in a MADMUN conference as a Co-Chair.
Co-Chairs Emilia Houwers (Left) and Sam Witt
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart Whitewater High School Model United Nations Advisor gstewart@wwusd.org
Gov. Tony Evers on November 17 ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Tues., Nov. 21, 2023, in recognition of the anniversary of the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy and to honor the six individuals who were senselessly and tragically killed in the attack: Tamara Durand, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81; Jane Kulich, 52; Leanna Owen, 71; Virginia Sorenson, 79; and Jackson Sparks, 8.
“Today marks the two-year anniversary of the senseless act of violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade that took the lives of six cherished members of the community and injured many others. In the wake of this devastation, we saw an entire community come together to mourn the lives lost and to begin the long road towards recovery, and have seen the kindness, strength, and resilience of Waukesha as the community united behind the message ‘Waukesha Strong,’” said Gov. Evers. “As we observe this anniversary, Kathy and I are thinking of all those who were affected by this horrible tragedy, including the victims and survivors and the first responders and community members who ran toward danger to help their neighbors in their time of need. We are also keeping the families of Tamara, Wilhelm, Jane, Leanna, Virginia, and Jackson in our hearts. Their memories will live on through the unity, strength, and light felt throughout this community, and they will not be forgotten.”
Executive Order #216 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Tues., Nov. 21, 2023, and is available here.
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. The Banner has previously been assured that participants in the classes need not be residents of Rock County.
Sheriff Fell is pleased to announce that the Rock County Sheriff’s Office will offer our second and final Snowmobile Safety Education Course of the season on December 5, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and December 16, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rock County Fairgrounds – Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI 53545. Students will need to attend both sessions to graduate.
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1985, is required to complete a Snowmobile Safety Education Course in order to legally operate a snowmobile in places open to the public within the State of Wisconsin. It is recommended that participants are at least 12 years of age or turn 12 shortly following completion of the class.
Snowmobile Safety Education Course – Class #2
Session 1: December 5, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center Session 2: December 16, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Rock Co. Fairgrounds – Craig Center Registration is now open. Complete the online enrollment form to reserve a seat.
Class size is limited to thirty (30) students. Upon submission of the registration form, the submitter will see an onscreen confirmation message with course information.
The course fee of $10 per student will be collected at the first session. If the student is under 18 years old, a parent/guardian will need to attend the first session with the student. Students will receive course materials at the first session. Please direct any questions to Deputy Trevor Lund at trevor.lund@co.rock.wi.us.
