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Tuesday night, September 15, was Youth Night in Whitewater, and Whippet Soccer returned to their winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Division 2 opponent Beaver Dam.
WHS started off very slowly but eventually managed to pull themselves together and play some really effective soccer. The final 20 minutes of the first half saw an almost complete domination of possession, completed passes, chances created, and shots taken by your Whippets. Wesley Baker opened the scoring in the 34th minute with an assist from Niko Valadez.
The Golden Beavers fought hard in the second half and had a few chances to level the score but due to some great defense and strong saves by keeper Asher Bangert, WHS managed their first clean sheet of the season.
Derick Martinez kept his streak going with his 6th game in a row in which he scored at least one goal. His 73rd minute goal was assisted by Wesley Baker.
Whitewater will host Evansville this Thursday at 5:00 (JV1) and 7:00pm (Varsity), and we hope to see you all there. Go, Whippets!
Article and Photo Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
Putting together their best day of the season so far, the Whippets crushed their races in Cottage Grove at the Dana Waddell Invitational, hosted by Marshall.
The girls came ready to race, with all five Whippets in the lineup posting either a lifetime personal best or a season best on a challenging course that was redesigned last year to add even more hills.
Virginia Nelson led the way with a lifetime personal best of 21:44, finishing 16th overall and bringing home a medal. Ema Aranda also ran a lifetime best, crossing the line in 23:00 to place 30th. Peyton Comfort delivered one of the biggest improvements of the day, dropping just over two minutes from her previous season best to run 26:18. Madelyn Taylor continued her upward trend, cutting an impressive 78 seconds off her previous season best. Lia Ramirez saved her biggest breakthrough for this race, dropping 2:50 from her previous best and establishing a new lifetime best of 31:59.
As a team, the girls placed 9th out of 10 teams, despite racing without Melody Smith in the lineup.
The boys had a similarly outstanding day, with strong performances from the front of the pack all the way through the lineup.
Tyler Carollo once again led the Whippets as the team’s #1 runner, turning in a strong 18:48 to finish 25th overall. Behind him, the pack of Marcus Roselle and Marcus Roe continues to prove how valuable pack running can be. For the first time, both Marcus runners broke the 20-minute barrier, with Roselle running 19:26 and Roe close behind in 19:36.
Wyatt Esch had another massive breakthrough, cutting nearly two minutes from his previous season best and finishing in 20:51. Jameson Rothwell also posted a lifetime best, running 22:09. Angel Kilar shaved several seconds off his lifetime best, crossing in 23:03.
Carson Miller had a terrific day as well, running a lifetime personal best and finishing 9th overall in the JV race to earn a medal.
Not to be outdone, Hunter Runnoe and Horatio Nelson raced their way around the challenging course together, pushing and encouraging each other to massive lifetime personal bests. Hunter got the best of Horatio on this day, running 23:44 to Horatio’s 23:52.
Ian Agen capped off the day with another banner performance, crushing his season best to date and finishing in 27:51.
When the dust settled, the boys finished 7th out of the scoring teams.
From breakthrough performances to lifetime bests, medals, and some serious pack racing, the Whippets showed just how much progress they are making. This was a huge step forward for the team—and easily our best day of racing so far this season!
Next up, the Whippets head to UW-Parkside on Saturday for the Angel Invitational, hosted by Racine St. Catherine’s. The team will look to carry this momentum into another big race!
Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
First Citizens Shred Days are in September this year! Our shred event at our Whitewater Main Office is on Friday, September 18th. Stop by for on-site disposal of confidential documents from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Papers should be free of plastic or metal objects and in containers that can be easily lifted. We’ll have employees available to assist. This event is free and open to the community.
PLUS! We’ll also be hosting our annual Customer Appreciation Day! Enjoy a tailgate party starting at 11:00 am as we celebrate our MVPs! Complimentary lunch and activities will be fun for the whole family! Attendees will receive a free entry into our MVP prize raffle.
Tickets are also on sale now for our Fundraiser Raffle basket with all proceeds benefiting The Bethel House. The winning ticket will be selected on Friday, Sept 25th. Stop inside any time before then to purchase tickets. $5 each or 5 for $20. Whitewater Main Office: 207 W Main Street 262-473-2112
Whitewater Parks & Recreation hosted Messy Fest at Cravath Lakefront Center on August 4. Photo gallery courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Free Event Connects Residents with Preparedness and Mental Health Resources
Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services is excited to host this year’s Walworth County Preparedness & Resiliency Expo on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Elkhorn Area High School, located at 482 E. Geneva St., Elkhorn.
Hosted in collaboration with local preparedness expert Jim Cobb, Walworth County Emergency Management, and the Elkhorn Area School District, the Preparedness & Resiliency Expo will provide resources on emergency preparedness and mental health, aiming to enhance resiliency skills so individuals are equipped to effectively respond to and recover from emergencies. The event also seeks to strengthen community readiness, promote networking, and raise awareness and engagement concerning mental health issues.
Visitors can explore hands-on exhibits, including hands-only CPR, emergency communication, family and personal preparedness, blood pressure checks, confidence-boosting strategies, and more. Connect with vendors and attend expert-led presentations on Pet First Aid and Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR), a suicide prevention training. Attendees can also take part in a pickleball game and enter raffles.
“Preparedness and health are the foundations of strong communities,” says Ashley Burden, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator. “The more prepared our communities are, the more resilient and ready we will be to face challenges with confidence.”
The Preparedness & Resiliency Expo is open to the public and welcomes all ages. The first 75 attendees will receive a solar-powered power bank. Join us to learn, connect, and take the next step in becoming more resilient and better prepared for the unexpected. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Walworth County.
For more information, visit http://www.co.walworth.wi.us/448/Emergency-Preparedness or follow our Facebook event page, https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9WFhm11v/
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Amberrose Nelson from Pixabay.
The Whippets had an eventful week!
On Thursday, September 10, the Whippets opened conference action by hosting a triple dual against Badger Co-op and Platteville/Lancaster! We saw some awesome improvements throughout the meet, including:
Emma Maas dropped 13.5 seconds in the 200 IM and another 11 seconds in the 100 Freestyle!
Kamor Douglas dropped 4 seconds in the 50 Freestyle.
Caitlin Alford dropped time in the 50 Freestyle, finishing in 37.81.
Maggie Maas dropped 7 seconds in the 100 Butterfly.
Storm De Porter continued her incredible progress, dropping 12.3 seconds in the 100 Breaststroke in just one week!
The Whippets were back in the pool on Saturday at the Elk Invite, where they finished 7th overall out of a competitive field!
200 Medley Relay: Emma Maas, Maya Davis, Maggie Maas, and Grace Smith finished 6th overall to bring home some hard-earned hardware!
200 Freestyle
- Maggie Maas finished 10th overall with a time of 2:24.27.
- Laken De Porter dropped 7 seconds from her time earlier in the week!
200 IM
- Storm De Porter swam a fantastic race in her first-ever 200 IM!
50 Freestyle
- Caitlin Alford posted a lifetime best with a time of 35.95!
- Finley De Porter won her heat with a time of 33.24.
100 Freestyle
- Laken De Porter, Maya Davis, and Finley De Porter all recorded new personal bests!
400 Freestyle
- Maggie Maas finished 13th overall with a time of 5:48.60.
200 Freestyle Relay
- Laken De Porter, Storm De Porter, Caitlin Alford, and Finley De Porter finished 11th overall.
- Storm posted a strong split of 33.36, while Finley finished with a 32.99 split!
100 Backstroke
- Caitlin Alford posted another lifetime best, finishing in 1:38.06!
100 Breaststroke
- Emma Maas finished 10th overall with a new best time of 1:28.00!
- Maya Davis finished 11th overall with a time of 1:29.71.
400 Freestyle Relay
- Maggie Maas, Grace Smith, Maya Davis, and Emma Maas finished 8th overall to bring home another medal!
- An impressive lead-off split from Maggie, who posted a 1:06.90!
The Whippets are back in action tonight!
Tuesday, September 15
5:30 PM
Jefferson High School
Come cheer on the Whippets as they take on Jefferson/Cambridge! 
Hope to see you there!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
The Whitewater Kiwanis club has launched a fundraising effort that encourages people to post pictures of their favorite pet (past or present) with a chance to be one of 12 pets featured on the monthly pages of a 2027 Keepsake Calendar. There will also be an opportunity for their favorite pet’s picture to be commemorated on that pet’s special month, date and year. Funds raised are used to support youth programs in the Whitewater area. The $5 entry fee also gives winning participants an opportunity to choose between a wide range of prizes ranging from the $300 value UW Warhawk Football season ticket package with preferred parking to a less serious, but potentially pleasing, award of a six-pack of donuts each week for an entire month from Whitewater’s Dunkin’. The winner is encouraged to share with friends. For information go to gogophotocontest.com/Whitewater. There is an added incentive for early entry. The first 25 photo entries will be in a drawing for a $100 Walmart gift card supplied by our Whitewater Walmart. The contest is being underwritten by major sponsors Edgerton Hospital Services/Whitewater Urgent Care and First Citizens State Bank, plus a host of local businesses supplying prizes. Additional prizes include a $250 credit toward a WI Lake area Airbnb weekend provided by HIS Rentals, a round of golf with four carts at Willow Brook Golf Course, a one month family membership at the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center, gift certificates for a cat or dog wellness checkup from the Whitewater Animal Medical Center, a Pet Supplies Plus gift certificate, burgers and shakes for four at the Brain Freeze Malt Shop and gift certificates from Floral Villa and the Fuzzy Pig. The fun is not limited to pet owners. Everyone can get in on the action by voting for your friend or family member’s entry. The contest is completely legal and safe and is run by a long-standing reputable family operation that supports fundraising efforts by nonprofit organizations. It is not in any way affiliated with a questionable national dog photo contest.
Funds generated by this and other Whitewater Kiwanis fundraising efforts support area youth including college scholarships, the recent acquisition of an accessible playground We-Go-Round feature at Starin Park and other Whitewater Parks improvements. Other annual programs include shoes and boots for Whitewater school kids, support of Whitewater United youth soccer and WHS’s Ferradermis Robotics program along with sponsorships of Whitewater Middle School Builders Club, WHS Key Club, and UW-Whitewater Circle K club, and more. The Top Pet contest will be Whitewater Kiwanis’s premiere fundraiser this year. Due to scheduling difficulty and a shortage of volunteer planners, Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis was unfortunately unable to hold its annual pancake breakfast this past spring. The club is hopeful the event will return next year and is actively seeking new members who can help ensure the continued success of the popular community event. Folks who want to learn more about the club are encouraged to attend one of our meetings. The Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the back room of Jessica’s Family Restaurant in downtown Whitewater. Breakfast and fellowship start at 6:30 with a regular program of local interest to follow at 7. Non “early birds” are encouraged to sign up to assist with various projects. Contact Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu or call (262) 203-0827 if interested. For information on the pet contest contact albertstanek@gmail.com or call (608) 320-9781.Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis is deeply grateful for the community’s continued support of all its fundraising over the years, including not only its pancake breakfasts, but poinsettia and lily plant sales, and of course this Top Pet Photo Contest. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.
The Whitewater Community Foundation is now accepting applications for Fall 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. Organizations interested in pursuing a Whitewater Community Foundation Action Grant should check out the Foundation web site at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/community-action-grants/ or contact Ginny Coburn at virginiacoburn@coburn.com for more information. The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 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, Studio 84, Fairhaven Pollinator Garden, Whitewater Youth Soccer, Whitewater Public Library, Wisconsin Makers, and much 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.
More information about the Whitewater Community Foundation can be found at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/ and on Facebook.
The Whitewater Community Foundation’s mission is to enhance quality of life in the Whitewater area via educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures.
Editor’s Note: The above was provided by the Whitewater Community Foundation.
Obituaries
Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more
Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more
Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more
Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin
Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck). She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more
Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more
Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more
Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more
Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more
Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more
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