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The Whitewater Unified School District has been selected for a statewide case study on mentorship programs.
WUSD is one of only eight districts across the state chosen for the initiative, which seeks to explore best practices, successes, and challenges in educator mentorship programs. The district’s team mentorship model will be highlighted as an example of leadership and forward-thinking approaches in professional development.
Dr. Terilyn Robles, Director of Teaching & Learning, and Ashley Deininger, Mentor Lead, are leading the effort, along with the WUSD Mentor Team. The Mentor Team consists of 19 members districtwide who provide mentorship to new staff.
The study is being conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Education Research in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction.
“This is an incredible opportunity for our district to share the progress we have made in mentoring and supporting educators,” said Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty. “Our team mentorship model fosters collaboration, professional growth, and a strong sense of community among educators, and we are honored to contribute to this important study.”
The research aims to inform future mentorship initiatives across Wisconsin, strengthening educator support networks and improving student outcomes while also guiding the application and use of the state’s Peer Review and Mentoring Grant. WUSD’s teachers and staff will engage with researchers and their peers statewide to advance mentorship practices in Wisconsin.
Ferradermis, the Whitewater High School robotics team, has received an invitation to compete at the 2025 For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Championships in Houston, Texas, April 16-19.
Earlier this year, the robotics team competed at the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth, Minnesota, where the students won the event and received the Team Sustainability Award. Competing against 754 teams in the first two weeks of regional events, Ferradermis ranked 78th globally. The team’s success earned it valuable points in the global regional rankings, leading to an invitation as one of the top teams in the world.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication, and teamwork both on and off the field,” said Laura Masbruch, the team’s advisor. “Earning a spot at the FIRST Championships is a testament to their passion for STEM and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for the support of our mentors, families, and community, and we are excited for the opportunity to compete on the world’s stage.”
Ferradermis aims to raise $30,000 to fund the Houston trip. For more information about how to donate to the cause and the team’s journey to the FIRST Championship, visit www.ferradermis.org or mail a check made out to WHS to Laura Masbruch at Whitewater High School, 534 S Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.
Editor’s note: A previous article that includes further information regarding the upcoming Ferradermis competition may be found here.
Please note that due to construction at the library, this event is being held at the Senior Center.
The National Honor Society will be hosting its annual Spring Silent Auction April 9 – 25, 2025!
Projects up for bid this year include babysitting, yardwork (“Weed Be Glad to Help”), manual labor, personal training, an outdoor field trip for kids (“Fantastic Field Day”), childcare with Spanish lessons, singing telegram (Life Without You Would B Flat”), self-care basket, beautiful handmade items (“Crafting a Smile for You”), a reading night basket, S’mores basket, swimming field trip with certified lifeguards (“Splash-tastic!”), savory baked goods, painting project – to help you get it done, summer fruit basket, cat sitting, dog walking (“Pawsome Walks”), movie night basket, flowers galore basket, and a youth basketball lesson with a high school superstar! Funds raised will be used for scholarships and other worthwhile projects! Simply complete the Bid Project Form below on the NHS website before 3:30 pm on April 25.
https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/whsnationalhonorsociety/spring-silent-auction-2025
Track the bidding process on the spreadsheet located on the NHS Silent Auction 2025 site too!
National Honor Society members will complete their projects between April 28 and May 16. Email NHS Advisor Pam Sonmor-Wintz (psonmorwintz@wwusd.org) if you have any questions! A great time will be had by all!
Thank you so much for participating!
Whitewater High School Art Student Cassie Bartlett received the Geneva Lake Arts Foundation Award of Recognition. Her submission included a stippling illustration. Stippling is an illustrative technique that involves creating an image using only dots to build up shading and tonal values.
“This piece is a meaningful tribute to my favorite cow I helped raise at my grandparent’s house. This pen stipple project took me 7 weeks to complete, and it’s definitely my favorite piece of art I’ve ever completed.” – Cassie Bartlett
Whitewater High School Art Student Ava Nygren Received the Walworth County Arts Council Visual Arts Scholarship.
The Walworth County Arts Council awards $2,000 scholarships for graduating seniors who are going to study one of the fine arts in college. The applicants must provide a high school transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of his or her future plans. The student must also perform an audition and participate in a personal interview with professionals/artists in their field of study.
“My goal is to become an art teacher. Fostering a passion for art in young people is becoming increasingly important as the fine arts are often devalued by many. I believe that by encouraging kids and giving them a safe environment to learn artistic skills, they will be more motivated to create. I hope that the skills I learn in university will help me guide a classroom and teach art skills to others.” – Ava Nygren
Article and Photos Submitted by Crystal Gill
Whitewater High School Art Teacher
cgill@wwusd.org
Cub Scouts from Whitewater Pack 716 distributed door hangers throughout the Whitewater community on Saturday, April 5th. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, starting at 9 a.m., the scouts will be collecting non-perishable items left on porches and delivering them to the Whitewater Food Pantry. If you did not receive a door hanger and wish to contribute to the food pantry, please ensure that your items are placed on your porch by 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Thank you for supporting the Whitewater Food Pantry.
Scott Willms
Cubmaster Pack 716
Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center Hosting 2nd Annual Egg Hunt
The Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center is “hoppy” to announce that the Egg Hunt is returning this year! Last year the event saw nearly 100 participants, ranging in ages from two to twelve. We can’t wait to see what this year has in store! The event will take place on Saturday, April 12, with a $5 entry fee per participating child. Registration the day of the event is available.
Each age group will have a designated time to hunt for eggs in the leisure pool:
2-4 year olds: 10:00 am-10:30 am
5-8 year olds: 10:30 am-11:00 am
8-12 year olds: 11:00 am-11:30 am [Editor’s note: It’s unclear as to why 8-year-olds are shown in two time frames. Presumably they should choose one of the sections.]
Eggs will be in the leisure pool in areas that aim to be accessible for each age group and ability. Children are encouraged to collect as many eggs as possible. Once they’ve gathered their eggs they can redeem them for one goodie bag at the concessions stand window.
The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance, ready to take pictures with children starting at 9:00 am!
Advance registration is appreciated. To register in advance, log into (or create) your Civic Rec account, go to the Aquatics tab, and register your child for the appropriate age group. Advance registration may also be completed over the phone (262-473-4900) by calling the WAFC or coming to the front desk in person. Payments made online or over the phone must be card payments, as there is not a pay later option. If you pre-register at the front desk or on the day of the event, they can take cash, check or card payments.
Following the Egg Hunt, all families are invited to stay at the Whitewater Aquatic and Fitness Center for the remainder of the day. We hope to see you there! [Editor’s note: It is unclear as to whether family members who did not pay for the egg hunt will be free for the rest of the day or perhaps will need to pay $5.]
About Whitewater Parks and Recreation:
Whitewater Parks and Recreation is committed to providing diverse recreational opportunities
for individuals of all ages and abilities in the Whitewater community. Through innovative
programming and collaborative partnerships, we strive to promote physical activity, social
interaction, and overall well-being.
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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