News & Events

The below quotes are from an article by Lawrence Andrea and Kelly Meyerhofer in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [MJS] on December 13. The complete article is considerably longer and may be accessed without a subscription here.

“A Whitewater couple and their two children stood at the front of a crowd of thousands on the White House South Lawn on Tuesday afternoon as President Joe Biden signed into federal law landmark legislation codifying same-sex and interracial marriage protections.

Robin Fox, Kim Simes and their daughters were among the president and First Lady Jill Biden’s special guests for an elaborate ceremony in which the president signed the Respect for Marriage Act — a bill the two women say gives their family security.

“I think I wasn’t really emotionally prepared for what it would be like,” Fox told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after the bill was signed, noting the new law protects both their marriage and the rights of their adopted children to marry who they want in the future.

“It’s like a mix of just sheer and complete joy and a whole lot of anger that we even had to get to this point.” ……

Fox and Simes, a couple for 25 years, were invited to the ceremony because of Simes’ role as chief of staff for Family Equality, an advocacy organization for LGBTQ families. Fox, meanwhile, has spent 32 years working a variety of positions at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Last spring, Fox was tapped to be interim provost, an administrative position that is second only to the chancellor…….

The new law requires states to recognize marriages that are considered valid in the state where they were performed….It also grants protections for interracial couples, an important safeguard that Fox said shouldn’t be overlooked.

The couple’s adopted daughters, Brennan, 18, and Sanibel, 14, are of a different race than Fox and her wife.

Both Fox and Simes are UW-Whitewater alumni. They met on campus when Simes was a graduate student and Fox was director of the university’s children’s center. Their oldest daughter is now studying political science there.

This is just as hands-on as it gets,” Brennan said after the bill was signed into law.

Though the family’s trip to Washington was last minute — the White House invitation for Tuesday’s event came Sunday — they were quick to accept.

“I’m thrilled to be here,” Fox said. “We were very quick to say yes and drop everything we have going on. It’s important for us to be here and for our children to be here to watch this happen.”

According to a press release, the following individuals from our area are among the 1,890 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, December 18, 2022 in Milwaukee.

UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Marijose Cuellar Meza, College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science
Madison Garland, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Master of Science
Hassime Traore, School of Nursing, Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding

The 66th Annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony took place at Whitewater High School on Wednesday evening, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Thirteen juniors and seniors were inducted as members to honor and recognize their outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, and service to the school and community. After opening remarks by Associate Principal Nathan O’Shaughnessey, the Whitewater High School Music Masters performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and a piece by Lodovico Grossi da Viadana entitled, “Exultate Justi in Domino.” Whitewater High School Principal Brent Mansky thanked the faculty for providing an excellent educational experience for students and honored parents for the support and encouragement they have provided their children over the years. NHS Advisor Pamela Sonmor-Wintz shared remarks about the projects NHS participated in during the past year and presented medallions to the officers for their leadership within the organization. NHS President Aileen Perez, Vice President Josephine Treder, Secretary Kindyl Kilar, and Treasurer Tyler Arnett presented inspirational speeches about leadership, character, scholarship, and service, and then new members were introduced and received National Honor Society pins and certificates. 

The National Honor Society was established at Whitewater High School in 1956 to inspire enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, promote worthy leadership, and encourage the development of character in high school students. NHS has become a prestigious organization ranking high among college admission officers, scholarship committees, high school faculty and administrators, students, parents, and residents of our community. For many, selection as a member of the National Honor Society is the pinnacle of achievement in school. This honor, recognized throughout the nation, is both the public recognition of outstanding accomplishments and the private commitment to continued excellence on the part of each new member. 

The following 2022-2023 National Honor Society Photo Story was shown at the beginning of the ceremony to celebrate all members and their accomplishments during the past year: https://youtu.be/FzeJ75_Dr8M

For more information about the Whitewater High School National Honor Society and how to become a member, please see the following website: https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/whsnationalhonorsociety/home

Congratulations to the new members of the Whitewater High School National Honor Society!

New Senior Members 

• Brenda Aguilar
• Allison Alvarado
• Dayna Carlson
• Anders Clarkson
• Evelyn Troxel

New Junior Members 

• Andrea Alcala
• Aidyn Amundson
• Danielle De Porter
• Emmerson Ellenwood
• Marino Linos
• Kayla Mikos
• Mayte Navejas
• Davin Parboteeah

Senior National Honor Society Members Inducted in 2021

• Tyler Arnett, Treasurer
• Brandon Haas
• Kindyl Kilar, Secretary
• Cali Kopecky
• Jake Kuhlow
• Alexandra Martin
• Courtney Meyer
• Aileen Perez-Aguilar, President
• Jenna Pope
• Ashlynn Prah
• Skylar Staebler
• Josephine Treder, Vice-President
• Karime Velazquez
• Maria Verduzco
• Caleigh Yang

Article and Photos Submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz
Whitewater High School National Honor Society Advisor
psonmorwintz@wwusd.org

The MADMUN (Madison Model United Nations) XIII Conference was held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Monona Grove High School. Nineteen schools and over 300 students participated in the conference. 

Whitewater High School had many new Model UN members learning the feel for the club at this conference. But, on the contrary, we had some repeat members that used their past experiences to have an outstanding performance at MADMUN. Some even left with awards: Maria Verduzco and Emmanuella Mbifi won an Honorable mention in their respective committees. 

Overall, Whitewater High School did an incredible job at MADMUN XIII, and all of Model UN is excited for their next MUNUC (Model United Nations at the University of Chicago) conference that will take place in Chicago during the month of February. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Josie Treder, Model UN Press Secretary
Model UN at Whitewater High School is Advised by Mr. Greg Stewart
gstewart@wwusd.org

Plan and Architectural Review Commission Meeting – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Public Hearing For Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed 4 Family
Residence Apartment Complex To Be Located At N. Tratt St. Parcel ID#/05-15-3233-018
(Physical Address To Be Determined At A Later Date) For Joseph Esther/Or Assigns and Public Hearing Regarding Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed Auto
Repair Service With Rental Of Box Trucks And Trailers Located At 1002 S Janesville Street,
Parcel ID#/WUP 00341 For Big Deal LLC. (Lee Loveall).
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/281060381
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (312) 757-3121
Access Code: 281-060-381

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Draft Starin Park Water Tower Structural
Analysis Report.
Cravath Conference Room
Municipal Building – 2 Floor
312 W Whitewater St

City of Whitewater Community Development Authority Board of Directors – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion regarding Economic Development Director Timeline, Discussion regarding Starin Road Site – Development Concept, and closed session (followed by open session) regarding Potential sale of Business Park lot located on the corner of Prospect and Endeavor to David & Goliath.
Location: Municipal Building – Community Room 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN‐PERSON and VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us via computer, smart phone or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89300240370?pwd=clI4eTRSS0wvMGEvVW16TkZLeHA5dz09
Passcode: 575484
Or Telephone:
Dial: 1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 893 0024 0370
Passcode: 575484

Editor’s note: The CDA phone-in number was updated on 12/12/22.

Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos submitted

Jennifer Rulon lives thousands of miles from Whitewater. But the city — and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus — are still very close to her heart.

Rulon, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a minor in psychology in 1993, has embarked on a series of accomplishments and pivotal life moments in various areas of the U.S. and beyond since she earned her undergraduate degree.

She will share her inspiring story as commencement speaker for UW-Whitewater’s December 2022 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.

Rulon’s Whitewater roots run deep and were established at a young age. Her family moved from Detroit to Whitewater when she was in her earliest years of elementary school. Her love for the community ultimately prompted her to attend the local university after graduating from high school.

“I was a Whippet before I was a Warhawk. When it came time to applying to colleges, my mom and I talked it out, and they said, ‘Why don’t you apply to Whitewater and see what happens?’”

The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

From a young age, Rulon knew she wanted to work with marine life. While Whitewater is far from any setting where whales, sea lions or dolphins swim, the campus only continued to instill within her that innate love and fascination.

She was involved with Upham Geeks, a biology club, where she was able to enjoy the company of like-minded classmates. The club’s advisor, Dr. Sable, led the group in a number of interesting activities — including the fine art of snacking on dried bugs.

“I worked in the admissions office, and I played intramural sports every other day, whether it was flag football, inner tube water polo or softball. I was always involved in sports somehow or I was working on campus.”

After graduating nearly three decades ago, she has pursued additional education, including a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Rulon also has achieved goals during three monumental life moments.

Her first milestone required a bold step — one she was ready and willing to take. She landed a job working as a marine animal trainer and behaviorist at SeaWorld. She had to leave Whitewater, Wisconsin, and the Midwest to realize the dream she’d held for so long.

“People said, ‘Oh, you’re going to have to move if you want this kind of job.’ And I said, ‘That’s OK. I want this dream.’”

While at SeaWorld, she became a triathlon coach, started her own company — JenRulon.com — and built a triathlon team called Rulon Racing.

In 2010, she was ready to leave SeaWorld and begin her next adventure — one that would test her endurance physically, intellectually and emotionally. A friend sent her a Walt Disney quote that comforted and encouraged her: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” With strength, determination and perseverance, over time she became a 15-time Ironman Triathlete and qualified to participate in the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, in 2017.

Through her brand JenRulon.com, she shares her inspiring messages to people from all walks of life. Her wisdom has been published and shared in disparate publications and venues, including the TEDx stage, Triathlete Magazine, Runners World and The New York Times.

Now, Rulon is in the beginning stages of her third monumental life moment — one that allows her to go back to her innate love of oceanic life — establishing roots as a resident in another country: Costa Rica.

“I observed it, and I fell in love — I fell in love with the country, I fell in love with the people, I fell in love with the ocean. I’m just ‘in the now.’ I’ve been here nearly a year, and I absolutely love it here.”

Whitewater might be far geographically, but — in a full-circle moment — she realizes how her time on campus is put to good work in her new setting.

“I ride my bike all over the place here, just like I did on the Whitewater campus. I rode my bike everywhere when I went to school there, whether it was to and from my classes or to work. I really loved that campus.”

For all of her accomplishments, Rulon also readily points out the overflowing encouragement she received in Whitewater was worth its weight in gold.

“I did have professors and I had co-workers in the admissions office who believed in me. They believed who I was going to become. That was powerful.”

For more information on UW-Whitewater’s commencement ceremonies, visit the commencement website at uww.edu/commencement.