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Whitewater Recollects: High Schools
The Whitewater Historical Society is delighted to announce another upcoming Whitewater Recollects panel discussion. Everyone is welcome to come join the fun! This time, the topic is Whitewater’s high schools. A panel of Whitewater residents will share their memories of attending Whitewater High School at its various locations, and audience members are invited to share their memories as well. Come reminisce about what Whitewater High School was like thirty, forty, or even fifty years ago! This event will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM at the Cravath Lakefront Community Center (located at 341 S. Fremont Street, Whitewater). The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, please contact whitewaterhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Website: whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org
The Whitewater Historical Society is dedicated to the collection, interpretation, and preservation of the history of Whitewater and surrounding areas. To learn more, visit www.whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org and Like us on Facebook! From May through October, Depot Museum hours are Tuesdays during the City Market and Saturdays 9 AM to 12:00 noon.
MANCHESTER, NH = Madelyn Fosen of Whitewater (53190) has been named to Southern New Hampshire University‘s (SNHU) Fall 2024 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.
Congratulations Silvia Harris, Lucy Davis, Margaret Brown, and Grace Coleman for being selected to represent Whitewater High School at Badger Girls State in 2025!
Badger Girls State is a program designed to develop leadership skills in high school students and train future stateswomen in the science of government. The program will be held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh from June 15-20. Participants are chosen for their interest in the American Government and their outstanding qualities of leadership, character, cooperativeness, dependability, and participation in extracurricular activities. Thank you to the Whitewater American Legion and Whitewater Rotary Club for sponsoring our awesome delegates again this year! Congratulations!
As was previously announced on the Banner, on October 23 Laura Masbruch was surprised to learn at an all-school assembly that she had been honored with WI Most Valuable Educator Award from TDS Telecom. Masbruch was informed that TDS would be treating her to two tickets to a Packer game as well as the opportunity for around 25 students to travel with her to Lambeau on a charter bus for a tour with a Packers alum and lunch.
“Part I” of the Packers connection took place on January 5. Laura told The Whitewater Banner that she and her sister Jane “were treated to an experience…that included an indoor all you could eat/drink tailgate party, sideline passes for the pre-game warm-ups, and seats on the 50-yard line. TDS also sent us some Packer gear.”
The high school staff decided that the “Part II” trip would be one of the incentives to encourage students to maintain good attendance. The trip will be hosted by Masbruch on February 20.
Kate McNulty, WHS associate principal, told The Banner, “In line with our district goals, we are working to improve overall attendance and decrease habitual absenteeism. At WHS, our attendance goal for the 2024-25 school year is 95%. Last year our goal was 92% and we hit it easily, so we decided to increase it for this year. As a part of that goal, we are having a monthly incentive drawing for students who have [at least a] 95% attendance rate. Each month we’ve done different rewards for the drawings from lunch on us (we order pizza or subs), t-shirts, and special lunch privileges. As for the Packer fieldtrip, students who maintained a 95% attendance rate for the entire 1st semester will have that as an option to select.
We did hold a 95% attendance rate in September, October, and November but unfortunately due to lots of illness, we did dip to a little below 93% in December. The incentives alone are not to credit for this. Additionally, we are making a concerted effort to remind students and families about the value of attendance by regularly sharing Attendance Matters information through our webpage and parent newsletter. Additionally, we host bi-weekly meetings with the Student Services team to discuss attendance issues and monthly we have a district attendance task force consisting of leadership from each building that meets to problem solve challenges and develop consistent practices.”
This past weekend 4 WHS students, Ayden Clark, Alex Clarksen, Sam Nickelsburg, and Willow Vogelzang, performed in the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA) All State Treble Choir and All State Bass Choir. The students had the opportunity to work with some of the best college choral directors from across the country and attend performances of other WCDA honors choirs featured at the conference including the world-famous Latvian youth choir BALSIS. Student expressed how inspiring and motivational the experience was, and how they never wanted to leave. Here are two short clips, one for each choir.
Article and Videos Submitted by MacKenzie Gehrke
Whitewater High School Vocal Music Teacher
gehma01@wwusd.org
The Whitewater Girls’ Wrestling Team had a busy week starting off with a trip to Lodi on Monday night, January 6, and closed it out with a 39-team tournament at Muskego on Saturday, January 11. Both of these events were very good for the girls as they had the opportunity to see some teams that they will be training to compete against in the tournament series which is a month away.
The girls wrestled well at Lodi coming in 3rd place out of the 8 teams competing. A’Lani Ross led the way for the Whippets going 3-0 on the night with two pins. Ema Aranda followed by going 2-1 on the night with 2 pins as well. Also going 2-1 was Payton Taylor who had a couple of very good matches that forced her to stay in good position in the closing moments to maintain her lead. She showed good shot defense which was nice to see as it is something we as a team have worked on for the girls.
On Saturday our girls then traveled to Muskego to compete in the 2025 Warrior Cup Girls’ Invitational. The tournament featured 39 teams from both large and small schools. Going into this event, our girls recognized that it would be a challenging day. Eleven girls participated, and they all agreed that their goals were to maintain a positive attitude and put in their best effort. With this focus, they knew they would wrestle well.
Leading the team was sophomore Ema Aranda, who achieved four impressive victories, propelling her to the championship match, where she fought hard but ultimately finished in second place. A’Lani Ross secured fourth place, gaining positive experiences that will help her improve her wrestling skills. Marianna Kubicz also finished in fourth place. As a team, the girls ended up in eighth place out of 39 teams.
This tournament was an excellent opportunity for the girls to identify areas for improvement both as individuals and as a team. They understand that some of their competitors that day will likely be the same ones they face at the end of the season. The girls are eager to rise to the challenge, work hard, and enhance their wrestling skills as the season progresses.
Article by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
During the recent Wisconsin Cross Country Coach Association Clinic in Brookfield, the Academic All-State Teams were announced.
The 2024 team of Jack Hefty, Xavier Zei, Miles Nickelsburg, Luc Pomazak, Andrew O’Toole, Onyx Thompson, and Isaac Straight was not only outstanding on race day but also in the classroom. They were so good that they finished third overall across the entire state in division two! Their team GPA of 3.89 is simply outstanding and the epitome of student-athletes.
Congratulations, guys!
Final standings
1. University School of Milwaukee 3.98
2. West Salem 3.92
3. Whitewater 3.89
4. Rhinelander 3.83
5. Monroe 3.80
6. New London 3.80
7. Dodgeville/Mineral Point 3.78
8. New Berlin Eisenhower 3.71
9. Port Washington 3.70
10. Chilton 3.68
11. Osceola 3.68
12. Watertown Luther Prep 3.67
13. Mauston 3.52
Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Join us for an Open House for our NEW Assisted Living on Wednesday, January 15th from 4:00-6:00 pm. The response from those already on our 4th Floor has been amazing and we’re looking forward to seeing who is next to join the Fairhaven Family!
For more information contact Brian Robinson, robinsonb@fairhaven.org or 262-473-2140.
Fairhaven, 435 W. Starin Road, Whitewater
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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