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Today is Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Singer/songwriter, Whitney Rose, is performing in the next Wright House Concert in Whitewater on April 12 at 7 pm.
Currently based in Dodge County, Wisconsin, Rose wears many hats: woman, mother, teacher, musician, human being. She weaves all of these roles together in her art. Her voice is soulful and maternal, and will draw you in. Her music is the story of her experience, as a Human Being and as a Divine Being. Come, listen. Be human. Know that you are loved. That it is OK to be.
The Wright House is an old brick home in Whitewater, Wisconsin, originally built by the Wright family in 1857. Sarah Beth Nelson, the current owner of the Wright House, will host.
Register on Eventbrite: https://whitneyrosewrighthouse.eventbrite.com
Ferradermis competed at the Phantom Lakes Regional at Mukwonago High School over Spring Break from March 27-29 and finished qualifications ranked #5 out of the 39 participating teams with an 8-3-1 record. The 39 teams came from around the world – 2 from Mexico and 1 each from India, Turkey, and Chinese Taipei! The field also included teams from 5 states – Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.
The mechanical team, programmers, and drive team had been working hard since the team’s first competition in Duluth at the end of February to make improvements to the robot. In the three weeks since Duluth, the robot had been adjusted to score additional points in the autonomous period, handle algae (the large green playground balls) and pick up coral from the ground. All of these changes improved the offensive capabilities of the robot, and the team’s EPA (estimated points added) rating jumped nearly 10 points at this competition.
The Whitewater High School team became the captain of the #4 seeded alliance for the elimination round and invited Team 6223 – Arsenal of Engineering from Menomonee Falls and Team 2202 – BEAST Robotics from Brookfield to join their playoff alliance. After getting hung up on top of an algae during the first playoff match, losing to the #5 seed, Ferradermis led their alliance in a valiant effort in the second match before falling 151-148 to the #8 seed.
Dean’s List nominees Erison Dreksler and Chacha Binagi each interviewed with a panel of judges during the event, highlighting their personal contributions to the team. A Dean’s interview is something like a job interview and is the only time in FIRST that the focus is on the individual student rather than the team.
Ferradermis members participating in the event and filling various roles from drive team to impact presenter to safety captain to pit crew to match strategist to scout to media team member to mascot included seniors Andrew O’Toole, Zoe Olson, Emerson Dunham, Andrew Zimmermann, and Maddi LaHaie, juniors Erison Dreksler, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Nina Heim, Georgia Esch, Chacha Binagi, Ace Hudec, and Margaret Brown, sophomores Toby Kapfer, Colby Long, Preston Miller, and Carson Miller, and freshmen Emilie Bruns, Asher Downs, Eli Gonsior, Cooper Housel, Jayden Kehrer, Virginia Nelson, Sam Raupp, and Letty Trautman.
The team is next in action this coming weekend at State Fair Park in West Allis for the Wisconsin Regional where 48 teams from Wisconsin and Illinois will go head to head. The public is invited to attend this free event on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6.
Ferradermis continues its fundraising efforts for the trip to the FIRST Championships in Houston, Texas in April. If you would like to support the team, online donations are accepted at https://www.ferradermis.org/ or checks made out to WHS can be sent to the team at Whitewater High School c/o Laura Masbruch, 534 S Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. Team members are also selling Kwik Trip cards and planning several upcoming restaurant nights.
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Polls will be open on Tuesday, April 1 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A photo ID is required. Same-day registration is available. Proof of residence is required, and the voter must have lived in the residence for at least the previous 28 days.
Anyone may enter their address at this website to confirm the races on their ballot and their polling place. The city will have two polling places, the Downtown Armory and the University Center on the UW-Whitewater campus.
All city residents will have the following contested races on their ballot:
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Justice of the Supreme Court
Whitewater Unified School District School Board Members
State referendum – constitutional amendment regarding voter ID
City referendum regarding Police/Fire/EMS
Whitewater Unified School District Capital Referendum
City residents in District 1 also have a contested race for Common Council member.
City residents in Jefferson County also have the following contested races:
Jefferson County Circuit Court Branch 1
Jefferson County Circuit Court Branch 2
Absentee ballots must be received by Tuesday at 8 p.m. Voters wishing to deliver an absentee ballot on Tuesday must bring it to the Community Room on the first floor of the Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St.
Various candidates were given the opportunity by the League of Women Voters to respond to several questions. Their responses may be found on this website when your address is entered, and the race is chosen.
A team of finance students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater made history this week by securing first place in the 2025 Local Finals of the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Milwaukee, WI. This marks the first time UW-Whitewater has won the prestigious competition in the fourteen years it has participated.
The winning team—Nathan Parrish, Joshua Peterson, Alexa Gill, Kelsey Hengst, and Carter Voigt—competed against top universities in the region. Their success was part of UW-Whitewater’s Applied Investments Program (AIP). AIP is under the direction of UW-Whitewater Finance and Business Law instructor R.J. New and industry mentor John O’Hare, Managing Director at O’Hare Wealth Management. Both provided invaluable support, helping the students refine their research and presentation skills.
As part of the challenge, the team conducted extensive equity research on Manitowoc, Inc. (MTW), a U.S.-based crane manufacturer. Their analysis included evaluating the company’s financial statements, developing projected financial performance models, and determining a target stock price based on discounted cash flow valuation. To enhance their understanding, the team also interviewed professional crane operators, gaining firsthand insights into how MTW cranes compare to competitors in real-world applications.
“The competition was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the next stage,” said team member Carter Voigt. “Being able to bridge classroom learning with real-world financial analysis has been invaluable. This experience has not only expanded our technical skills but also prepared us for future careers in finance.”
Kelsey Hengst echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the competition’s role in professional development. “Throughout this experience, I gained invaluable skills that will benefit my professional career. We learned how to properly analyze financial statements, build financial models, evaluate key financial ratios, and forecast future earnings. Additionally, the competition’s Q&A session forced us to think critically and respond under pressure, which will be crucial in our future careers.”
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition designed to provide university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and ethics. Students work with CFA professionals, faculty advisors, and industry mentors to produce a professional-grade research report and present their investment recommendations to a panel of expert judges. After submitting their written reports in January, the UW-Whitewater team delivered their final presentations on February 25.
With this victory, the UW-Whitewater team advances to the sub-regional competition, where they will submit a video recording of their presentation. Their success highlights the strength of UW-Whitewater’s College of Business and Economics in providing high-impact, experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for real-world careers in finance.
As the team moves forward in the competition, they remain focused on refining their research, sharpening their presentation skills, and continuing their success on a larger stage.
More about the Applied Investments Program at UW-Whitewater:
UW-Whitewater’s Applied Investment Program (AIP) gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience by managing an investment portfolio worth more than $1 million. AIP offers training on Bloomberg terminals, the platform used most by investment professionals.
Students in the AIP will develop analytical skills and critical thinking while learning to be a professional. They’ll have the opportunity to learn how to write professional quality reports, how to present their ideas effectively, and how to function in a professional environment.
AIP acts as an honors program for finance majors in the university’s College of Business and Economics, Wisconsin’s largest business school.
More about the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE):
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics (CoBE) is Wisconsin’s largest business college. It is home to the #1 ranked online, single school Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program in the State and is the only college in Wisconsin that offers an AACSB-accredited Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree program. CoBE is in the top 2% of the world’s business schools having earned both AACSB and AACSB Accounting Accreditation. For more information on the College of Business and Economics, visit uww.edu/cobe or email cobe@uww.edu.
The college ranked No. 1 in the state in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report review of online programs. UW-Whitewater is home to Wisconsin’s top-ranked single school in the following categories:
- Best Online MBA
- Best Online Business Graduate Program
- Best Online Business Undergraduate Program
- Best Online MBA Program for Veterans
- Best Online Business Graduate Program for Veterans
The Jefferson County Spring Clean Sweep will be held on Friday, April 4 from 3–5:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 5 from 8-10 a.m. at the Jefferson County Parks Maintenance Facility – 1555 South Industrial Drive, Jefferson WI 53549. The event is open to households, farms, and small businesses to properly dispose of their hazardous waste.
Registration is required for this event! Please call 920-674-7430 to register by Wednesday, April 2 at 4 p.m. Costs: trunk load $10; truck load $50; truck & trailer $100 for Households and Farms. Feel free to bring items from multiple residences/families. Payment is preferred in cash.
Small businesses are welcome! Please pre-register at least one week prior to the event. Businesses are charged based on weight. Businesses will complete an inventory record of items they have and then will be provided with an estimated disposal cost payable at the event. Businesses may pay by credit card or company check.
What is considered hazardous waste? Typically, any product that any of the following words appear on such as “Danger, Warning, Caution, Poison, Flammable, and Corrosive” are considered hazardous. They should be brought to a Clean Sweep Event! For a list of accepted hazardous chemicals go to www.Jeffersoncountywi.gov/cleansweep
Latex paint will NOT be accepted. Latex paint may be dried out and tossed in your trash – empty paint containers should be recycled. Unused prescription drugs, Electronics and Appliances will not be collected at this event.
For information about this or upcoming events, go to www.Jeffersoncountywi.gov/cleansweep or contact
Kim at 920-674-7430 or kimb@jeffersoncountywi.gov
Editor’s note: Jefferson County has previously indicated to The Banner that residents of the City of Whitewater are welcome to participate in their events, regardless of whether they live in Jefferson or Walworth County.
(UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)
Kacie Carollo named Regional Player of the Year for UW-Whitewater women’s basketball
Kacie Carollo, a Integrated Science-Business major from Whitewater, WI, and senior guard on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team, has been named the Region 9 Player of the Year by D3hoops.com.
Carollo, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year, was recently named a finalist for the Jostens Trophy – the prestigious honor awarded to the top player in Division III. Additionally, she garnered First Team All-Region honors for the third consecutive season. An All-WIAC pick for the fourth time, Carollo was also selected to the All-Defensive Team for the third straight season.
Carollo’s 635 points this season is ranked fifth nationally. She also ranks among the top 2 in Division III in assists, field goals, free throws, points per game, rebounds and three-pointers. Over the course of the 2024-25 campaign, Carollo broke the league record for three-pointers made. She also broke the UWW program record for career rebounds, career double-doubles, points in a season, season scoring average and three-pointers made in a season.
This is the third consecutive season the Region 9 Player of the Year has been a Warhawk – joining Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) from the two previous seasons.
Adopt-A-Highway volunteer groups will begin roadside cleanup efforts in April as part of the coordinated, statewide highway beautification program to remove the trash, recyclables, and litter from state and county roads. Drivers should exercise caution and be aware of the Adopt-A-Highway groups as they are traveling Walworth County roads.
Volunteer groups in need of supplies should contact Walworth County Public Works at (262) 741-3367. To make this a safe and productive volunteer program, volunteers should remember to be aware of their surroundings and should not pick up litter on medians, bridges, tunnels, overpasses, or around other structures that would pose a danger. If volunteers see suspicious items, they should not touch them and should contact Walworth County Public Works (262) 741-3114, Option 1.
Groups interested in adopting a road section should contact Walworth County Public Works for information at (262) 741-3367. The County has several segments available on County Highways A, B, C, D, DD, E, K, M, N, O, and X.
About the Walworth County Department of Public Works: We strive to enhance the quality of life, health, and safety of all citizens by being accountable and responsible for maintaining Walworth County’s infrastructure. Learn more at www.co.walworth.wi.us/293/Public-Works.
The College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater announces the next show of this year’s Theatre/Dance season, “DanceScapes ‘25” with Artistic Director Barbara Grubel. This production will run in the Barnett Theatre from April 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. and April 5-6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are on sale for the performances and can be purchased online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222.
DanceScapes is an annual dance concert that serves as a vibrant platform where students, faculty, and guest artists can explore, experiment and redefine the boundaries of dance. The 2025 guest artist and alumni, Joseph Ravens, known for his avant-garde performance art, brings his extensive experience and vision to create a piece with students that is truly unique and unexpected.
Barbara Grubel, Professor of Dance and Artistic Director of “DanceScapes ‘25” says, “We take immense pride in our students, alumni, faculty and guest artist Joseph Ravens, who bring their work to life on stage before you. Our audience is an integral part of this creative exchange and we encourage you to share in this experience with us.”
Ravens received a BFA in theater from UW-Whitewater and studied audiovisuals at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam before earning a Master of Fine Arts from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Numerous grants and awards have allowed Ravens to build an international reputation as an artist, curator, and academic throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Ravens is founder and director of Defibrillator Gallery and faculty in the Performance Department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
“DanceScapes ‘25”will run in the Barnett Theatre from April 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. and April 5-6 at 2 p.m. Tickets ($18 for adults, $16 for those age 65+ and $13 for those under age 18) are on sale for the performances and can be purchased in advance online at tickets.uww.edu or by calling (262) 472-2222. Tickets for the Saturday matinee are half-price. There is a $2 surcharge for tickets purchased at the door at the time of the event. The Barnett Theatre is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts at 950 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190.
Obituaries
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
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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