News & Events

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes tree sale.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83123853629?pwd=b0RqSkVxQjJzZWVnWkhBTFJ3ckdsUT09
Meeting ID: 831 2385 3629
Passcode: 901402
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 831 2385 3629
Passcode: 901402

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88352007447?pwd=eFL0iVqA4GfRBBujeNP6TcLyxq2T1b.1
Meeting ID: 883 5200 7447
Passcode: 897711
Or dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 883 5200 7447
Passcode: 897711

Steve Watson wrote on March 11, “Our local eagle paused for awhile this morning in Hillside Cemetery. Wind rustling its feathers. Sun rise on its face. I never tire of spotting our very own eagle pair.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing his recent spotting.

— 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!

The City of Whitewater – Department of Public Works will collect bagged leaves and yard waste the:

• Week of April 1 – April 5, 2024
• Week of April 8 – April 12, 2024
  *Dates may be subject to change in the event we experience accumulating snow during this time.
  
  Yard waste is defined as leaves, grass clippings, and yard and garden debris. Yard waste must be bagged in 30 gallon or smaller biodegradable, clear or transparent bags only. Yard waste will not be collected if not properly bagged or placed in non-transparent or black bags. The City offers Bio-Bags, at the Finance Department window, in the fall only.
  
  Please place your bagged yard waste on the curb no earlier than Saturday, March 30, (for collection beginning on April 1) and April 6, (for collection beginning on April 8). All bags must be brought to the curb by 7:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 11, for collection by City staff.
  
  Residents may also use the compost site to dispose of bagged leaves and yard waste. The compost site will on open on Saturdays beginning April 6, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, starting April 10, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The City will provide a loader for loading chips and compost beginning Saturday, May 4. This loader will be available on the first Saturday of each month until the site closes for the season.
  
  Residents requesting brush collection should call 473-0560 to make an appointment for pick up on Tuesdays.
  
  Brad Marquardt
  Director of Public Works
  bmarquardt@whitewater-wi.gov
• 
  For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.

The FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation team competed at the regional Career Development Event (CDE) contest in Janesville on March 15th.

Students demonstrated their dairy cattle knowledge through a written assessment, evaluating and ranking classes of dairy cattle, and providing verbal reasons to judges for their evaluation rankings.

All our students scored well individually to earn an overall team ranking of 2nd place. Their 2nd place ranking qualifies the team for the state contest on April 25th at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Congratulations to the team, and good luck at State. 

Article Submitted by Paul Majors and Allison Parsons
Whitewater High School Ag Teachers and FFA Advisors
pmajors@wwusd.org, paral01@wwusd.org

Whitewater High School Math Teacher Jason Bleck has been honored with a 2024 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship award for his outstanding contributions to education and his positive influence on students.

The Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship program celebrates and supports teachers and innovation in education across Wisconsin. It empowers educators to pursue their aspirations for enriching classroom experiences and professional development opportunities.

Jason and the 99 other teacher recipients will each receive a $6,000 grant to support their educational initiatives.

“Jason fosters an especially engaging learning environment for students and inspires them to achieve and challenge themselves,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of the Whitewater Unified School District. “We are so proud to celebrate this recognition of one of our amazing educators. He deserves this recognition and is a great role model for all students and colleagues in WUSD.”

In a broader celebration of educational excellence, the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced 304 distinguished individuals—including students, teachers, and administrators—as recipients of its 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship, and Principal Leadership awards.

Established by the late Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator, philanthropist, and businessman, the Kohl Foundation award program has supported Wisconsin’s educational community since its inception in 1990. With nearly $38 million awarded to date, the foundation remains steadfast in its mission to recognize and uplift the invaluable contributions of educators, principals, students, and schools throughout the state.

For more information about the awards program, visit www.kohleducation.org

The Whitewater High School Forensics Team had amazing performances at Thursday night’s District competition hosted by Stoughton High School. This is part of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) State Series.

Five students will advance to the State Tournament, which will be hosted by DeForest High School in April:

• Carley Boudreau (11) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
• Emerson Ellenwood (12) – Expository Speech
• Emilia Houwers (12) – Expository Speech
• Marina Linos (12) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
• Lauren Rollette (12) – Solo Serious Acting 

Article and Photo Submitted by Elizabeth Miller
Whitewater High School Forensics Coach
emiller@wwusd.org

The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship.

The organization, which is marking its 125th anniversary this year, held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 7, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.

Named “Good Citizens” were Sydney Ketterman, Fort Atkinson High School; Payton Schmidt, Jefferson High School; Kaitlyn Brodzik, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Cooper Murphy, Lake Mills High School; Perry Thompson, Cambridge High School; and Ghati Binagi, Whitewater High School.

“NSDAR (The National Society DAR) began recognizing Good Citizens in 1934; perhaps a great-great-great-grandparent of yours was so honored,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming attendees. “The first school our chapter honored was Fort Atkinson. Our chapter now recognizes seven schools with over 90 students being selected.”

She noted that no scholarships were awarded in those early days. Today, one is given to the chapter’s essay winner.

“More important, I think, are the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism, values that stay with you the rest of your lives,” Olson said.

Registrar Jessica Punzel led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. Each student introduced him/herself and his/her guests and was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR members Jane Fary and Pat Ogren.

Sydney Ketterman

Sydney Ketterman, of Fort Atkinson High School, is the daughter of Brett and Martha Ketterman.

As the chapter’s Good Citizen winner, her essay on citizenship advances to compete at the state level. She read her work, titled “What Are the Civic Responsibilities of a Good Citizen and Why Are These Duties, Activities and Behaviors Important to the Shaping of the America You Hope to Experience?”

Ketterman has maintained an “A” grade point average during high school while taking Accelerated English, Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Placement Chemistry.

She is active in theater, forensics, National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Ketterman was named “Best Performer” in 2020, was dance captain and earned an “Inspire-a-Dream” Scholarship.

Outside of school, she teaches elementary schoolchildren basic dance at Main Street Dance Studio in Fort Atkinson, where she herself took lessons for 13 years. She also is choreographer for the Fourth Street Singers middle school show choir and has volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry and as a receptionist at the Dwight Foster Public Library.

Following graduation, Ketterman plans to major in elementary education with a dance minor. She is considering attending Northern Illinois University or the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Kaitlyn Brodzik

Kaitlyn Brodzik, of Palmyra-Eagle High School, is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Brodzik.

A laude honor student, she has a high grade point average and has earned an academic letter.

Among her achievements, Brodzik has served on Student Council for three years, has managed the school’s dance team, was a blood drive coordinator and is vice president of National Honor Society.

Brodzik also has served as a member of the school’s Math Team for three years, participates on the cheerleading squad, plays volleyball and was a member of the “Hope Squad.”

In addition, she volunteers at the Powers Memorial Library in Palmyra and has accumulated more than 400 community service hours during her high school years.

Brodzik plans to study business at UW-Madison.

Ghati Binagi

Ghati Binagi, of Whitewater High School, was unable to attend the Good Citizen reception. She was presented her certificate Friday, March 15, at the school.

The daughter of Mwita Binagi and Kristin Carpenter, she has maintained an “A” grade point average throughout high school; among her classes have been Honors English, Honors Biology, AP English and AP Human Geography.

Binagi also served on the school’s Student Council, the “Hope Squad” and as secretary and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

She was a manager for the varsity basketball team and served in a peer mentoring program, using her study hall time to help other students with their classwork.

As a member of the Whitewater High School Players, Binagi served as a costume assistant. She is employed at McDonald’s Restaurant.

Binagi plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to major in communications with a minor in psychology.

About the award, DAR

Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.

Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.

Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.

Families are invited to visit the library for free, fun activities during the week of March 25. The activities are geared toward children ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome. Every day at 1:00 p.m. a different activity will be offered in the library’s Community Room. On Monday, 3/25, participate in a variety of table games and puzzles. On Tuesday, 3/26, create art using a variety of materials and tools — just bring your imagination! On Wednesday, 3/27, build LEGO creations, and on Thursday, 3/28, experiment with a STEM activity featuring paper circuits and LED lights. Note that the library is closed on Friday, 3/29.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782 with questions.