News & Events

Dr. Pate-Hefty to Depart WUSD, Named Superintendent of Manheim Township School District in Pennsylvania

The Whitewater Unified School District School Board has announced that Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty has been named the next superintendent of the Manheim Township School District in Pennsylvania. Dr. Pate-Hefty has served as WUSD superintendent since 2020.

“We want to thank Dr. Pate-Hefty for her outstanding work and leadership over the past five years,” said Board President Jennifer Kienbaum. “In that time, our district has managed the effects of a global pandemic and kept the focus on providing a truly exceptional educational experience to our students. We wish Dr. Pate-Hefty the very best as she takes this next step in her career in educational leadership.”

The School Board will immediately begin its search for the next superintendent of WUSD. This will start with soliciting proposals for a search firm. The chosen firm will assist with recruiting, screening, and the interview process.

“As a board, our focus will now shift to ensuring we have a highly effective new leader in place as we prepare for the 2025-26 school year,” Kienbaum said. “We look forward to engaging our community as we embark on this important process.”

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District. An announcement that was made by the Manheim Township School District may be found here. It mentions that Pate-Hefty “will be relocating to Manheim Township with her husband and two daughters and looks forward to being closer to her oldest [sic] son, who will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall of 2025.” The website indicates that “The Manheim Township is a single municipality government in Lancaster County. We are approximately 23 square miles, with +16,000 residential dwellings and approximately 44,000 residents. We have a public school population of +5,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. There are six elementary schools (K-4), an intermediate school (grades 5 & 6), one middle school (grades 7 & 8), and one high school (grades 9-12). Both residential and commercial growth has been consistent in Manheim Township…” The district indicated that there was strong interest in their position, as evidenced by 35 applications from 10 states. Per lancasteronline.com, “Former Manheim Township Superintendent Robin Felty stepped down to start as chief operating officer to the Lancaster-based Barley Snyder law firm in December 2024.” Dr. Felty retired after over eight years as the superintendent.

The WUSD School Board has scheduled a special meeting on March 31 to act on Dr. Pate-Hefty’s resignation and consider search firms to assist with the search for a new superintendent.

The Whitewater Unified School District is proposing a $30 million capital referendum on the April 1st ballot to address our schools’ most pressing needs. To assist community members in learning more about these needs, a set of short videos is linked at www.whitewaterreferendum.org. Additionally, these videos will be shared out on the school district’s social media platforms. For community members who have remaining questions or feedback, please complete the brief form at the bottom of the www.whitewaterreferendum.org site.

Readers may view all fourteen of the videos from the link above, but for the next few days the Banner will be featuring several videos per day with introductions to the direct links that will be provided.

Mike Fellin: By the Numbers – 1:13 (one minute, thirteen seconds)
Award-winning Tech Ed Instructor, Mike Fellin, discusses the growing enrollment in Tech Ed classes at Whitewater High School. The April 1 referendum will provide the resources needed to modernize and expand Tech Ed spaces to meet increasing student demand. Click here to view this video.

Mike Fellin: Tech Ed Space Needs – 1:52
Tech Ed Teacher, Mike Fellin, explains the limitations of the current Career Tech Ed (CTE) spaces at Whitewater High School. The April 1 referendum would fund improvements to better support students preparing for careers in skilled trades. Click here to view this video.

Justin Buntrock:- Auto Shop – 1:58
Take a tour of the Whitewater High School auto shop with Justin Buntrock, Automotive and Metal Instructor. He highlights the equipment and space challenges students face. Passing the April 1 referendum will ensure students pursuing careers in skilled trades have access to updated and properly equipped facilities. Click here to view this video.

Mike Fellin: Woods/Construction Area – :56
Tech Ed Teacher, Mike Fellin, provides a tour of the current Woods/Construction learning area at Whitewater High School. If the April 1 referendum passes, this space will be expanded and upgraded to better support students in hands-on learning environments. This video is viewed here.

Editor’s note: The above was submitted by the Whitewater Unified School District.

240 Dann St.

Misc items.

Some tools and household.

Friday 21st. and Saturday 22nd.

8AM till dark

A Banner Service: Garage Sale Ads

As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to begin a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. 

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. A few photos may also be included if desired; we prefer jpg format if possible.

Whitewater Middle School presents “Annie, Jr.” April 10 & 11 (7 p.m.) and April 12 (2 p.m.) in Stewart Auditorium at Whitewater High School.

Celebrate kindness and inclusivity with stories and art activities for children during Spring Break! Families are invited to the “Embracing Our Differences” program on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:00 p.m. Enjoy stories, work on a collaborative mural project that will be displayed in the library and create your own watercolor painting. A snack will be served.

The event will be presented with the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library and Be Kind Whitewater — a non-partisan group that promotes kindness and civility for the betterment of our community and region.

Best for ages 4K – 5th grade but all ages are welcome! There is no cost. Please register in advance by visiting whitewaterlibrary.org and clicking on “Events” or at this link: https://irvinlyoung.librarycalendar.com/event/embracing-our-differences-stories-art-activities-179. Please note that due to library construction, this event will take place at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center at 341 S. Fremont Street. 

Contact Sarah French with questions, accommodation requests, or for registration assistance at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782.

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 126-year-old organization held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 6, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson. Named “Good Citizens” were Carley Boudreau, Whitewater High School; Korynne Kutz, Fort Atkinson High School; Haley Woessner, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Mallorri Buonincontro, Cambridge High School; Piper Crabtree, Jefferson High School; and Leola Becker, Lake Mills 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. DAR member Mary Narkis led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. After introducing
herself and her guests, each student was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR Secretary Vicki Schicker and Historian Penny White.

Carley Boudreau
Carley Boudreau was the winner in the DAR chapter’s 2024 essay contest and received a monetary gift. She read her essay, titled “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility for Preserving It.” In it, Boudreau noted that everyone is given a different
starting point in life, but service to others is important as he or she climbs the rungs. Whether large or small, each person’s American dream builds a ladder toward success. “Taking a step down from my ladder has and will never be a waste,” she said. “This is because getting others to the top of their ladders, no matter how big or small, is another step up on my own. “Alone, we are strong, but as a community together, the impact can only grow as this strength multiplies,” Boudreau noted.

As president of Whitewater High School’s National Honor Society, Boudreau said, she has seen firsthand the effects a community can have on its citizens. “Together, we’ve impacted our community in ways I could not do alone. Our goals, the peak of our ladder, is found in helping others up their own. This is something I feel so fortunate to be a part of … not just a community, but a community committed to serving others,” she said. The senior said that community service is part of Americans’ identity. “You help the people, helping the community, strengthening our American identity. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be attainable for all and absolutely are with the help of a community,” she concluded.

In addition to National Honor Society, Boudreau is president of Model United Nations and active in Forensics, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council and Lead Dogs. She is varsity captain of the girls’ soccer team and has participated in cross-country.

After graduation, she plans to study international relations at either the American University in Washington D.C. or University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Korynne Kutz

Korynne Kutz is class president on the Student Senate and vice president of National Honor Society at Fort Atkinson High School.
Also this year, she has been involved in Latinx Club, Debate, Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC), Students Tutor Students and Link Crew. Kutz was captain of the varsity girls’ soccer team, participated in track and field and served as boys’ soccer team manager last year.

This fall, she plans to attend UW-Madison to major in finance investments and banking.

Haley Woessner

At Palmyra-Eagle High School, Haley Woessner has been active in Student Council, Varsity Dance Team, National Honor Society, Band, Math Meet and Hope Squad, serving in many leadership positions. She has been manager of the cross-country team, has
assisted teaching dance classes, was a delegate to Badger Girls State, was captain of the Varsity Cross-Country Team and served on Prom Committee.

After graduation, Woessner plans to attend Northern Michigan University to study theater entertainment arts and elementary education.

Mallorri Buonincontro

At Cambridge High School, Mallorri Buonincontro is senior class officer and she served as class secretary in grades 9-11. President of the National Honor Society, she is active in Eco Club, Flight Crew, the school musical and Solo and Ensemble. She also has served on the Homecoming and prom courts. In addition, Buonincontro has participated in track and field throughout high school, gymnastics the past three years, basketball as a freshman and volleyball as an underclassman.

In the fall, she plans to attend Wheaton College in Illinois to study Christian Formation and Ministry and then Biblical and
Theological Studies.

Piper Crabtree

During her senior year at Jefferson High School, Piper Crabtree has been involved in National Honor Society, Eagle Crew, Drama Club, Forensics, Student Council, Rotary Interact, Hope Squad and J-Club. She also is serving as Art Club secretary and secretary of Tri-M (Modern Music Masters). Crabtree is senior representative on the Band Council and also has participated in Jazz 1, Steel
Drum, One-Act Plays, musicals, Drama Club, Forensics, AFS, FBLA/DECA, track and field and tennis.

This fall, she plans to study elementary education at either St. Norbert College or UW- Whitewater.

Leola Becker

While at Lake Mills High School, Leola Becker has been active in Spanish Club, Drama Club, Lariat, Link Crew, yearbook, the fall musical, choir, Jazz Band and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has been president of Show Choir and representative-at-large on Student Council, as well as has participated in Solo & Ensemble all four years of high school. In addition, Becker has served on the Homecoming Court and as prom queen, and was manager of the boys’ basketball team.

After graduation, she plans to attend Carroll University to double-major in music therapy and psychology. Crabtree and Becker were unable to attend the DAR reception.

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.

The Whitewater Historical Society’s Whitewater Collects event is being held this Sunday, March 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center, 341 S. Fremont Street, (Whitewater Street behind the arch.) Over a dozen Whitewater area collectors will be displaying collections that range from Native American Copper Artifacts to Pez Dispensers to Doc Martin shoes and many more antiques and collectibles. This is an annual event, but every year there are new and different collections on display. And, Carol Miller of Bailey’s Honor Auctions and Estate Services, LLC, will provide evaluations of up to two items to the public.