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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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Whitewater Unified School District administrators Dr. Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Melania Argueta Borchert, Multilingual Services Coordinator, led a session for educators and school leaders from across the state at the recent 2025 Wisconsin Association for Bilingual Education (WIABE) Conference.
The session, titled “Empowering Families as Advocates in Education through Partnership and Cultural Awareness, examined how the district has redesigned its family intake process to improve communication, promote advocacy, and establish partnerships with local organizations and businesses. The session was well attended and drew interest from educators and leaders seeking to implement similar strategies in their respective districts. Attendees cited WUSD’s approach as a model for sustainable and inclusive family engagement.
“Our goal is to equip families not just to engage in their child’s education, but also to become strong advocates who feel respected and valued,” said WUSD Multilingual Services Coordinator Melania Argueta Borchert. “We are building systems that honor culture and promote independence and empowerment.”
Additionally, 10 students from Whitewater High School performed a series of traditional Nicaraguan dances under the direction of WHS teacher Silvana del Val. The performance served as a representation of student heritage and received positive recognition from the audience.
“Our students did an incredible job representing their culture and our district,” said WUSD Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Terilyn Robles. “It was a beautiful reminder of the strength and joy that multiculturalism brings to our schools.”
WUSD’s involvement in the 2025 WIABE Conference reflects the district’s continued work in supporting multilingual learners, promoting cultural awareness, and fostering inclusive educational environments across the community. For more information on WIABE, visit www.wiabe.net.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This week we have an image from 1889 of the first waterworks building and water reservoir. Both are still extant at the corner of Fremont Street and Starin Road, although the keeper’s house shown in the photo is not extant. The Starin Park Water Tower, also from 1889, gets the most attention in the history of Whitewater’s water system, but these resources were also important components of the system, one of the earliest in the area.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
1944P, Whitewater Historical Society
Fort HealthCare is pleased to welcome Dr. Jay MacNeal, DO, as Emergency Services Medical Director and EMS Medical Director at Fort HealthCare. As EMS Medical Director, Dr. MacNeal provides guidance to our EMS direct affiliations and serves as a
liaison to all EMS in the region.
Educated at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. MacNeal completed his residency at Akron General Medical Center and a fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. Prior to accepting his roles with Fort HealthCare, Dr. MacNeal held a full-time position at Watertown Regional Medical Center. In May 2024, he was contracted by Fort HealthCare to work on a part-time basis and continued in that capacity when DEMI Healthcare Partners/Southern Wisconsin Emergency Associates (DEMI/SWEA) began staffing Fort HealthCare’s Emergency Department in October 2024.
“I am excited to join Fort HealthCare in a permanent role,” Dr. MacNeal shares. “The hospital leadership is passionate about caring for their local community, and I appreciate that vision. I look forward to working with the excellent team already in place and becoming more involved in the community.”
Sheryl Krause, Director and Clinical Nurse Specialist of Fort HealthCare Emergency Services, elaborates, “Since his first shift, Dr. MacNeal has demonstrated alignment with our mission and values. He engages with staff from other departments to ensure collaboration toward Fort HealthCare’s goal of providing the highest quality of care possible. Dr. MacNeal also strives for an environment of care that promotes staff wellness and allows staff members to be at their best. And, because of his past EMS training and experience, Dr. MacNeal recognizes the importance of working closely with his EMS colleagues as well.”
The Fort HealthCare Emergency Department is committed to serving our community and prepared to handle any situation. Our Emergency Department and Urgent Care is staffed by board certified emergency physicians and experienced advanced practice providers from DEMI Healthcare Partners/SWEA.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by Fort HealthCare.
2025 Whitewater Storytelling Festival
Friday, May 30 / Saturday, May 31
Cultural Arts Center / Flat Iron Park
The Magical Music of May courtesy of 301 talented students and their gifted directors
Photos by Tom Ganser
WUSD Orchestras Spring Strings Festival directed by Patricia Nielsen – May 1
Beginning Orchestra = 20 students, Intermediate Orchestra = 10 students, Middle and High School Orchestra = 8 students
Middle School Bands directed by Justin Kamp – May 6
Justin Kamp writes, “The Whitewater Middle School Bands performed their Spring Band Concert on Tuesday, May 6. The students performed four pieces in each grade that were all extremely challenging, but the hard work and dedication of the students paid off with a wonderful performance that showcased the learning that occurred this semester!”
Whitewater Middle School Bands directed by Justin Kamp
6th Grade = 67 students
7th Grade = 29 students
8th Grade = 26 students
Sixth Grade Band – 67 students
Seventh Grade Band – 29 students
Eighth Grade Band – 26 students
WHS Bands directed by Sam Averill – May 7
Symphonic Band = 38 students, Wind Ensemble = 32 students
5th Grade Band directed by Nathan Roley – May 8
71 students
Updated on 5/29/25 @ 10:40 a.m. to add more information about the World Series format as well as historical information on the teams.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
UW-W Baseball is among eight teams that are playing in the DIII World Series in Eastlake, Ohio. The series begins on Friday, May 30 and concludes on Thursday, June 5. UW-W was the runner-up last year, losing the championship game 10-5 versus Misericordia. The Warhawks last won the series in 2014, when they beat Emory by 7-0.
Competing teams are:
No. 1 John Hopkins
No. 2 Denison
No. 3 UW-Whitewater
No. 4 Endicott
No. 5 Kean
No. 6 Trinity (TX)
No. 7 Rowan
No. 8 Messiah
The Warhawks (44-6 overall) play in the first round against Trinity (TX) this Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m. CDT. The game will be streaming on the NCAA website. If UW-W wins that game, they will play on Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. CDT versus the winner of the Denison/Rowan game.
The World Series consists of 2 four-team double-elimination brackets. The champions of the two brackets will play in a best of three championship series starting on Wednesday, June 4.
The Warhawks earned the 3-seed out of the eight advancing teams. UWW will play the Tigers, with Denison and Rowan being the other two teams in the pod. Johns Hopkins, Endicott, Kean, and Messiah, make up the other bracket.
The Warhawks last faced Trinity (TX) in 2024’s season opener. The two teams split the series 2-2. The Warhawks won the first two games, 14-4 and 21-2, before falling 8-7 and 9-1 in the back half of the series.
UW-Whitewater qualified for the championship after winning the NCAA Adrian (Michigan) Regional and the NCAA Whitewater Super Regional. The team swept the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.
This link will provide you with rosters, stats, etc., and will also provide the link to the video streams for all of the games.
This link has a variety of information about the series, including the official bracket.
Finally, d3baseball.com is also worth visiting. Their fan survey, copied below, currently predicts that UW-W has a very slight edge to win bracket two and then would likely face Johns Hopkins.
Make a difference with Special Olympics Wisconsin this June
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Special Olympics Wisconsin continue preparations for the 2025 State Summer Games on June 5-7 in Whitewater.
More than 1,200 athletes, representing 100 programs around the state, are set to compete in athletics (track and field), cornhole, powerlifting, soccer, and tennis. Events will be held at UW-Whitewater’s athletic facilities – Perkins Stadium, Rex Foster Track, the Warhawk Outdoor Tennis Complex, the Williams Center, and the campus intramural fields.
With more than a dozen events and competitions scheduled over the course of the three days, approximately 300 more volunteers are needed for multiple roles throughout the weekend. All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and the opportunity to engage with participants, fans, and event staff.
No prior experience is required to volunteer (unless otherwise designated). Volunteers aged 12 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone. Special Olympics Wisconsin will provide training before your shift start time.
The Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremony kicks the event off on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. inside Perkins Stadium. Check out the full schedule of events here.
For more information or group volunteer reservations, contact Danny Kuklinski, Senior Director of Sports, at dkuklunski@specialolympics.org.
Garage sale at N9499 Woodward Rd., Whitewater, WI
Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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