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The WHS Math Team traveled to Delavan-Darien High School on March 11th to compete in the Rock Valley Conference Math Meet. The Whippets landed in 5th place overall, with sophomore Cyrus Hudec winning 10th place in the individual JV standings and senior Andrew O’Toole winning 1st place among all Varsity competitors.
Congratulations to all of our great Mathletes on a job well done!
Article and Photos Submitted by Eric Kendall
Whitewater High School Math Team Advisor
mkendall@wwusd.org
Congratulations to the Whitewater High School Battle of the Books team, “The Final Brain Cell,” comprised of Vivian Harris, Virginia Nelson, and Letty Trautman, who finished 3rd in the state of Wisconsin!
In a local playoff for who would represent the school in the state competition, the “Book Bashers” team of Emilie Bruns, Nina Heim, and Caitlin Alford fell to “The Final Brain Cell” by one point.
46 schools competed at the state level this year. Each team had to read 20 books and be prepared to answer questions on them to achieve this awesome level!
Article and Photos Courtesy of Kathy Retzke
Whitewater Unified School District Library Media Specialist
kretzke@wwusd.org
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Internet Crimes
Against Children (ICAC) Task Force today announced that Samuel Pieper, a former correctional officer for the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, was charged on Friday, March 7 with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of trafficking of a child. [According to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, Mr. Pieper, age 40, resides at 161 S. Maple Lane, Whitewater. Cash bond was set and signed at $250,000.]
On March 6, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mr. Pieper’s residence. The warrant was the result of tips provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) involving suspected exploitation of children where money amounts were being transferred to suspected minors in exchange for videos or images in June and July of 2024. Mr. Pieper was taken into custody at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Pieper was booked in the Walworth County Jail and transported to the Rock County Jail. Mr. Pieper resigned his position as a correctional officer at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on March 6, 2025. As in any criminal proceeding, Mr. Pieper is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
There are no known local victims at this time. If you or anyone you know may have any information to assist in this investigation, please call the ICAC Task Force at (608) 266-1671.
This investigation is being led by the ICAC Task Force at DOJ and is being prosecuted by the Walworth County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is assisted by the Whitewater Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, and Wisconsin DOJ Crime Response Specialists.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.
League of Women Voters Book Club Discussion, Part II
The League of Women Voters of Whitewater Area’s Book Club is pleased to announce the second of three discussions of the book James: A Novel by Percival Everett, on Thursday, March 20, starting at 6:30 PM. The discussion will be held at The Book Teller, 171 W Main Street, in Whitewater, where copies of the book are still available. Call 262-269-9101 to hold a copy.
The 2024 National Book Award winner and finalist for the Booker Prize, James: A Novel by Percival Everett, is a re-imaging of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. The League invites anyone in Walworth and Jefferson counties to join us in the discussions of the book.
Thank you to all who joined us for the Whitewater League’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) book discussion last month covering Part I of Percival Everett’s James: A Novel. Whitewater High School reading teacher, Tara McKenzie-Peotter, led seventeen of us through a stimulating conversation that provided new insights into the pre-Civil War South. It is not too late to join our next discussion on March 20 to continue the examination of Part II with Greg Stewart, Whitewater High School history teacher, with an emphasis on the teaching of this historical period through concepts such as cake walks, minstrel shows and slave narratives.
Part III discussion will be held Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 pm led by UW-Whitewater professor Dr. Tamara Lindsey, with an emphasis on topics such as emancipation, liberation, freedom, and social construction theory.
Please call Deb Gamble at 262-853-1946 with any questions. The League of Women Voters-Whitewater Area welcomes all community members to join us in these meaningful discussions.
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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
Nearly 400 people supported the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis Club’s annual pancake breakfast on March 8.
Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club thanks everyone for a terrific pancake-day fundraiser on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who attended and donated to Kiwanis, to all of the businesses that contributed, and to all of the wonderful volunteers.
“We are grateful to everyone in our community who helped to make the Pancake Day a success! Every year we love to see people enjoying our pancakes and Jones sausages. The camaraderie and friendship in Whitewater is amazing, and people are so generous with donations that help us help children,” said Corey Davis, Co-President of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.
“We are so grateful to our volunteers of all ages who helped to plan, set up, serve pancakes, clean up and more. We couldn’t do this without them,” said Penny Ardelt, chair of the breakfast.
Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. The club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park. Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.
If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Corey Davis at coreydavis77@yahoo.com
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
Thanks to Tom Ganser for most of the photos.
Join us for an Open House of our BRAND-NEW 2nd Floor Advanced Assisted Living! Wednesday, March 12th from 4:30-6:30 pm come on over to get the first look at this new space and living option at Fairhaven. Private tours for our 3rd and 4th Floors will also be available. We are excited to show this floor off to all….see you Wednesday Night!
La Crosse, Wis. — The UW-Whitewater gymnastics team finished third at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships/National Collegiate Gymnastics Association West Regional Saturday. Head Coach Jennifer Regan was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the third time in her career.
UW-Whitewater posted a total of 192.850 – the eighth-highest team total in program history – to secure bronze in the nine-team field. The top two from each regional automatically qualify for the NCGA Championships with additional at-large bids determined on season average. The Warhawks consistency this season solidified their position as the top recipient for an at-large. The national championship is slated for March 22 in St. Peter, Minnesota. More information will be posted when available.
The Warhawks opened the meet on the balance beam. Chloe Hammond (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) registered the top score on the apparatus, 9.675, to tie for eighth. Sofia Spadafora (Windsor, Ontario, Canada/Saint Thomas of Villanova) (9.575), Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School) (9.575), Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) (9.425) and Kristen Swiebocki (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) (9.375) made up UWW’s scoring five in the event.
UWW added a top 20 mark in the program record book with a total of 48.550 on the floor exercise. Kollhoff paced the Warhawks with a 9.775 to share fourth and claim All-WIAC honors. Hammond registered a 9.750 followed by 9.7s from Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) and Ariana Goodwin (Elgin, Ill./The Einstein Academy). Elaine Copeland (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) and Zoe Jenks-Recker (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) each scored 9.625 in the event.
Ava Pesch (Waterford, Wis./Waterford Union) led UW-Whitewater on the vault. She claimed a share of second with a score of 9.8 to secure All-WIAC honors and spark the team from the leadoff position. That mark is the fourth-highest vault score in program history. Copeland registered a 9.75 to tie for eighth while Hammond and Alayna Fern (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) added 9.7s in the event. Moore rounded out the scoring five on the apparatus with a 9.5. UW-Whitewater totaled 48.450 on the vault – ranked sixth in the program record book.
The Warhawks capped the meet on the uneven bars. UWW’s total of 48.225 is a top 20 mark in the Warhawk record book. Hayden Gough (Dallas, Texas/Dallas International School) and Kollhoff led the way with matching 9.7s to tie for fourth and claim All-WIAC recognition. Pesch and Paige Magel (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) shared eighth with bars routines scoring 9.65. Goodwin rounded out the crew with a 9.525.
Prior to the second session of the regional, the WIAC announced major award winners and recognized athletes that had earned Athlete of the Week honors throughout the course of the season. Coach Regan was honored as the Coach of the Year, the fifth time a UWW coach has earned the award in program history. Pesch was recognized as UW-Whitewater’s representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
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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