News & Events

The high school robotics off-season is in full swing, and 21 members of Ferradermis spent this past weekend competing at MROC, the Mukwonago Robotics Offseason Competition, held at Mukwonago High School on July 26 and 27. The event featured 26 robots that competed in the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition season as well as a brand new robot from a new team at Edgewood High School that Ferradermis has been helping get started.

One of the great things about attending off-season events is the “extras” that the host teams are able to include in the schedule in terms of education, entertainment, and service. MROC kicked off with two hours of team workshops on Saturday morning. Twelve different workshops were hosted by representatives of 13 different teams, including a session presented by seniors Chacha Binagi, Erison Dreksler, and Margaret Brown on how Ferradermis uses the free tools of Basecamp, Canva, and pivot tables within Google Sheets to manage team communication, workflow, budgeting, team branding, and more. Other team members were able to attend 2 – 4 workshop sessions each on everything from fundraising and outreach to specific technologies used by other teams to build and control their robots.

Throughout the competition, the MROC Live desk provided commentary between matches. Both Margaret Brown and Chacha Binagi took a shift at the desk, sharing information about projects that Ferradermis is working on including 3D printer waste recycling and state level advocacy for robotics programming. Binagi was also given the opportunity to announce during the mentor matches where students fill all official field roles, including refereeing and drive coaching, while the adult mentors get to control the robots. Head Coach Mark Zimmermann and Engineering Mentor Quinn McKenzie took the controls for Ferradermis during their mentor match, while Programming Mentor Andy McKenzie and Team Administrator Laura Masbruch filled the roles of Technician and Human Player respectively. Erison Dreskler stepped in as Drive Coach. On Sunday, the students took to the field in Human Player matches, where they played in place of the robots. Jayden Kehrer, Chacha Binagi, Owen Taylor, and Mason Genung each participated in matches that stretched the limits of the students’ creativity in ways to score (or not score) during the match.  A team social at the end of the day on Saturday gave teams the chance to get to know each other through soccer, oversized yard games, and some pretty serious dodgeball along with free ice cream sundaes.

The FIRST program emphasizes volunteerism and service, and many off-season events will include some sort of community service aspect. The MROC host team, Team 930 from Mukwonago, conducted a school supply drive as part of the event, and Ferradermis members donated enough supplies to contribute two full backpacks. Ferradermis is now working to collect new LEGO sets to be donated to Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee as part of a fall off-season competition in Muskego. If community members would like to contribute LEGO sets, they may be dropped off in the high school office after school starts or shipped directly to Laura Masbruch at Whitewater High School at 534 South Elizabeth Street.

Throughout the competition, the Ferradermis robot, Chief of the Reef, was led onto the field by Driver Margaret Brown, Operator Erison Dreksler, Technician Ace Hudec, Human Player Jayden Kehrer, and Drive Coach Mark Zimmermann. Videographer Vivian Harris captured footage of each match for the drive team for immediate review after the match. Cooper Housel wore the team’s media badge and documented the team’s every move throughout the weekend.

Already having a great familiarity with most of the robots in the competition, Ferradermis opted to gather minimal scouting data, just enough to allow the new freshmen in attendance, Owen Taylor, Paxton Wilson, Mason Genung, and Wyatt Meyers, to get a feel for using the scouting tablets. Their scouting work was overseen by veteran members, including Rae Breisath, Elora Wildermuth-Breitzman, Asher Downs, Georgia Esch, Virginia Nelson, and Andrew Zimmermann, and mentor Kevin Housel.

Ferradermis played to a 7-3-1 record in their 11 qualification matches, ranking 5th out of 27 robots at the end of qualifications. Programming Subteam Lead Ace Hudec had been working closely with mentor Andy McKenzie and other members of the programming team including Emilie Bruns, Carson Miller, and Wyatt Meyers in the weeks leading up to MROC to construct the team’s first ever custom button board. The button board uses an Arduino and provides 24 buttons to send commands to the robot. Many of the buttons are positioned on the board to match the layout of the field and are used to tell the robot to access vision with the April Tags (similar to QR codes) on the field to automatically align itself to score in a particular position. The Design and Assembly Team, including Preston Miller, Vivian Harris, Owen Taylor, Mason Genung, and Paxton Wilson worked with mentor Quinn McKenzie to design and build the physical case to hold the button board. Even though the actual season is over, the team never stops experimenting and learning to make improvements to the robot, and the button board was a resounding success.

During alliance selections, Ferradermis moved up to become the Captain of the #4 seeded playoff alliance. Represented on the field by Scouting Specialist Rae Breisath, drive team representative Erison Dreksler, and new member Owen Taylor, Ferradermis invited Team 93, NEW Apple Corps from Appleton to join our alliance. Team 93 had been ranked 8^th after qualifications so had the option to accept the invitation or decline and form their own alliance. They chose to accept the invitation from Ferradermis and the two teams then invited Appleton’s second robot, operating as team 9993, to fill out the alliance.

The alliance started off strong in the double-elimination playoffs, defeating the #5 seed 100-78. They then fell to the #1 seed and eventual champion alliance led by Team 1732  Hilltopper Robotics from Marquette University High School. In their third and final playoff match, the Ferradermis alliance lost a heartbreaker to the #7 seed, 63-43 when both Appleton robots died on the field in the early stages of the match, leaving the Ferradermis robot to score alone. As a result, the alliance finished their weekend in a tie for 5^th place.

Nina Heim and Chacha Binagi were excited to host new WUSD Superintendent Samuel Karns when he visited on Sunday. They were able to watch some of our matches with him to explain this season’s game as well as provide a tour of the pits where teams work on their robots.

The team would like to give a shout-out to mentors Tori Breisath, Kevin Housel, and Kat Dunham for supporting them in the stands throughout the event and to Tori for transporting the robot and equipment. FIRST Robotics Competitions are run entirely by volunteers, and at this event Laura Masbruch was able to serve as a queuer while team parent and WUSD Robotics Booster Club Member Alan Trautman served as a judge.

The team will again be open to new members starting at our annual parent meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, at 6:00 pm, in the Whitewater High School library. All parents of new and veteran members should plan to attend this meeting. The team is open to any current Whitewater High School student as well as home-schooled students residing within the physical boundaries of the school district. Parents of students in grades 4 – 12 can learn about the entirety of the robotics program in the WUSD during the back-to-school registration event at Whitewater High School on August 5. Ferradermis will take the field for two more off-season competitions in October – TWIST at Muskego High School and Roboteer Rumble in Tremont, Illinois.

Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor
lmasbruch@wwusd.org

The Whitewater Lions would like to congratulate Joe Sherman for being our Grand Marshal for the Fourth of July Parade this year.

Joe Sherman is a lifelong resident of Whitewater living on the family homestead farm. Joe comes from an Air Force family with someone continually serving since 1955. He joined the United States Air Force in 1965. After basic training he went to flight school to be a flight engineer. In 1966 he volunteered to serve in Vietnam and was assigned to the H53 Jolly Green Helicopter Squadron doing 133 air rescue missions in 13 months. He was based at Udorn, Thailand from 1967-68. After his military service Joe went to aircraft flight school in Janesville and flew charter for General Aviation Corporation.

In 2000 he was called to do maintenance at the First United Methodist Church which he continues to do today. He is active in the church and community in many ways. He is always helping others, providing assistance and practicing servant ministry at every opportunity, including delivering food, working with youth ministry, organizing special ministry activities, setting up big events (including organizing the 4 th of July food tent) and assisting with weddings and funerals. He volunteers many hours with Bethel House. In 2020 Joe was honored by Whitewater Unites Lives as a Hometown Hero.

Information and second photo submitted by Donna Segraves.

Updated on 7/28/25 @ 7:30 a.m. to add information regarding Cty Hwy P closure.
Updated on 7/28/25 @ 10 a.m. to add additional information regarding Cty Hwy P closure.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Road construction on US Highway 12 between Elkhorn Road/County Highway P and WIS 20/WIS 67 started in late March and was scheduled to be completed in “late summer.” This project was completed on July 25. Upgraded traffic signal equipment was installed at the US 12 and Elkhorn Road/Cty P intersection. The entire highway was resurfaced, and rumble strips were added to the centerline and the shoulders.

Rumble strips, “known for their auditory and tactile warnings, have proven to be an effective measure in ensuring driver safety. These patterns on the pavement surface alert drivers who have drifted out of their travel lane, whether due to distracted driving or fatigue, providing them with an opportunity to correct their steering. The Federal Highway Administration reports that rumble strips reduce:

• Crossover crashes by 40-60 percent when center line rumble strips are installed
• Single vehicle run-off-road fatal and injury crashes on rural freeways by nearly 29 percent when edge line rumble strips are installed”

The following was provided by Amy Limones, Walworth County Highway Department Operations Support Assistant:

“CTH-A is a closed to all through traffic. Meaning unless a person lives on it or is going to a business located within the work zone, they are to use alternate routes. 

The project began after Memorial Day and has always been scheduled for completion the end of September. 

They are trying to keep cars off of CTH-A between North/South CTH-P in order to continue with work now that US12 is reopened. They realize the gas station is within that location and there will be vehicles that need to go through.

At this time, milling continues to be done and I believe they are starting to pave. Work was to be done all day this past Saturday but it was cancelled because of the rain Saturday morning.”

Update 7/28/25 @ 8:55 a.m. – The NWS has reduced the predicted heat index for our area from 103 to 101 degrees. Newly added: “A complex of thunderstorms is expected to approach the region late this evening.  These storms are expected to be in a weakening phase as they approach, but may still be capable of producing some strong/severe wind gusts, especially over south-central Wisconsin.  There is above average uncertainty regarding the track and strength of these storms; some details should become clearer by later this afternoon as storms begin to form over South Dakota.”

The National Weather Service [NWS] Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Heat Advisory all of Southern Wisconsin for Monday from noon to 8 p.m. Our area is predicted to have a heat index of 101 degrees F during the afternoon and early evening. There is a possibility of thunderstorms and/or cloud cover lingering over our area later into the morning than anticipated, in which case the advisory-level heat indices might be delayed until mid-afternoon.

It is recommended to spend as little time as possible outdoors, and if that is necessary, to be certain to hydrate frequently.

Ron Binning shared this photo he took of the Birge Fountain on the beautiful sunny morning of July 21.

A Landmarks Trek video that was produced in 2023, the 120th anniversary year of the fountain, provides interesting information about its history.

Our thanks to Ron Binning for sharing this beautiful photo.

— 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!

To register click here. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda has 12 items including Discussion and possible action on a education piece for the Whitewater Banner why the Bradford pear should not be used in plantings and the environmental impact of using them; Discussion and possible action on the use of Tree Sale funds to pay to remove Bradford Pear trees from the city landscape & replace with alternatives.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor, 312 West St 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/82152804858?pwd=Dv009gV9zzhbMcLx1Y3zETxLfyz4bD.1
Meeting ID: 821 5280 4858
Passcode: 525352
Dial +1 312 626 6799 US

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – CLOSED SESSION – 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: to discuss Superintendent evaluation process.
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
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6:00 p.m. via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85350592490?pwd=3ybp64g4eQNd47eO4jsIvhKy5Ba558.1
– Passcode: 732656
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 853 5059 2490
– Passcode: 732656
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Closed Session
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7:00 p.m. via Zoom Online – OPEN SESSION
Agenda [click on “meetings” in upper right corner] includes High School Scorecard Review
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82666153766?pwd=oPJ4frZLHQ3tar1LzNxcVL2FsjUg8p.1
– Passcode: 597924
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– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 826 6615 3766
– Passcode: 597924

In a unanimous decision on July 21, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library the Whitewater Public Library. This decision included input from community members who attended the last two library board meetings.

Library Board President, Jennifer Motszko, stated that “the decision to change the name from Irvin L. Young Memorial Library to Whitewater Public Library reflects our commitment to creating a more inclusive and welcoming space for all members of the Whitewater community. This new name better represents the library as a vibrant hub and gathering place for everyone in our town.”

It is important to the library board, library staff, and community that the Young name continues to be honored. A sign over the entrance to the existing library will read “Irvin L. Young Memorial Wing.” The original donor plaque will also be displayed in a prominent location in the library.

Library Director, Diane Jaroch, stated that “the name Whitewater Public Library conveys a sense of community and inclusiveness.  We are a public, community space that is free for all to explore. The renaming of the library honors all of the donors who have contributed and all of our community members.”

The library building project is slated to be completed in early November 2025. There is still time to donate to the building project. Donations may be sent to the Whitewater Community Foundation at https://whitewatercommunityfoundation.org/donate/.

The Whitewater Public Library is located at 431 W. Center Street. More information about the library can be found at whitewaterlibrary.org.

Editor’s note: [Previously published on The Whitewater Banner.] Theological Seminary in Chicago. In 1940 he started the Snow Valley plant of Young Engineering in Palmyra. In 1954 he married Fern Drummond Jones of Chicago and established a home in his farm in the Palmyra area as well as retaining the Chicago home. Per his obituary, “He dedicated his life and income to the Irvin L. Young Foundation, a charitable foundation concerned mainly with the support of medical missionary work in Africa working through the board of 15 different denominations….Untold thousands of lives have been affected by the life and work of this one man.” Fern Young died in 2002. The Irvin L. Young Foundation made donations from its remaining assets of approximately $670,000 in 2019 and it was dissolved effective November 1, 2020.

The Whitewater Banner asked Library Director Diane Jaroch if she knew whether there were any stipulations connected to the foundation’s donation specifying how long the library was required to be named after Young. Jaroch replied, “I did do research before this idea was proposed, and there is nothing in the paperwork stating that we cannot change the name of the library.  I also consulted with Stacey Lunsford, the former Director. I plan to present the board with information on the history of the naming rights in their June board packet, so they will have all of the pertinent information they need before the June 16 board meeting.”

Local historian Carol Cartwright indicated that newspaper articles from 1987 and 1989 reported that the Young foundation gave $500,000 toward the library with the stipulation that it be named after Irvin Young. She stated that nothing was said about the duration of the naming. Taking inflation into account, today’s value of that donation would be approximately $1,300,000. The library opened in 1991, so it has carried the Young name for 34 years. The Young Auditorium, which opened on the UW-Whitewater campus in 1993, was also constructed with donations that included significant assistance from the Young foundation.

The approximate $6 million addition and renovation currently underway is being funded by over $2,300,000 in donations, library reserves of $840,000 and a $3,000,000 commitment from the city.