News & Events

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Chapter, have announced the upcoming induction of seven individuals into the Hall of Fame for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” or as “Outstanding American,” indicating, “This award is to honor and recognize people for their years of commitment as positive role models to our student athletes.”

One of the 2025 honorees is the late Greg Aprahamian, who was known and appreciated by many in Whitewater. As was mentioned in his obituary, “He invested in properties in Whitewater and made great strides in revitalizing the downtown area.”

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame said of the honorees, “These individuals have given countless hours of their time instilling in young people the skills needed to succeed in all areas of life.  They and their legacy will be permanently recognized at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma.”

The Hall of Fame Honors Ceremony/Banquet will be held at Chula Vista in Wisconsin Dells on Sunday, May 18, 2025. 

Greg’s family provided The Whitewater Banner with the following bio and list of accomplishments.

Early Life and Family
Greg Aprahamian was born on August 22, 1962, to Dr. Charles and Patricia Aprahamian. As the
second youngest of six brothers, Greg grew up in a household where four older siblings taught
him resilience and toughness from an early age.

High School Achievements
Greg excelled as an athlete at Brookfield East High School, starring on the football and track and
field teams. However, wrestling was his true passion. Pouring his heart and soul onto the mat, he
built an impressive high school wrestling career.

Education and Early Career
Greg knew early on he wanted to be an educator and coach. He began his higher education at
UW-Platteville, wrestling with the team, before transferring to UW-Stout. There, he earned a
Bachelor of Science in Technology Education, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Driven to
advance, he returned to UW-Platteville for a Master’s Degree in Industrial Technology,
completed in 1987.

Coaching Career at Muskego
In 1987, Greg joined the Muskego School District as a teacher and coach for football, track and
field, and wrestling—a sport with a strong tradition at Muskego. Starting as an assistant
wrestling coach, he became head coach in 1992, serving until 1998. His pinnacle came in 1994
when he led Muskego to its first and only Team State Championship. That year, he also earned
Coach of the Year, an honor he deeply cherished. His dual meet record was an impressive 116-
29, with a near-perfect 48-1 in conference duals, three Team State appearances, and numerous
state qualifiers and place winners.

Building a Legacy at Kettle Moraine
In 1999, Greg took a teaching and coaching role at Kettle Moraine High School. The wrestling
team initially had talent but lacked numbers—a challenge he met by recruiting from his football
and track teams, including novices and former wrestlers. His strategy transformed the underdog
squad into a powerhouse. In 2001, he led Kettle Moraine to its first and only Classic 8
Conference Championship. Over his tenure, he coached 10 state place winners, one state
champion, and many qualifiers, solidifying his reputation as a program builder.

Coaching His Children at Mukwonago
From 2006 to 2012, Greg coached at Mukwonago High School to guide his sons, Ryan and
Tyler, donating his salary to fund mats and assistant coaches. His daughters, Brittany and Megan,
served as team managers and statisticians, helping the team secure multiple Team State
appearances and Conference Championships. After his sons graduated, he returned to Kettle
Moraine, coaching middle schoolers with Tyler to spark interest in high school wrestling.
Planning to retire in 2018, Greg coached his final year of teaching, staying close to the wrestlers
he mentored.

Supporting Ryan’s Wrestling Journey
Greg’s oldest son, Ryan, wrestled at UW-Whitewater, where the team placed second nationally
in 2014. Greg and his wife, Tammy, enjoyed traveling with other parents to cheer at meets and
tournaments, proud of Ryan’s dedication and the team’s success.

Lifelong Learning
Beyond his degrees, Greg pursued additional coursework throughout his career, reflecting his
commitment to growth. Licensed to teach Technology, Science, Engineering, Construction, and
Automotives, he was an accomplished educator and coach with over 30 years of experience. He
helped student-athletes reach their potential, leading teams to victories. Greg taught wrestlers to
improve form and use techniques to boost speed and endurance while minimizing injury risk. He
guided them to peak performance, priding himself on core conditioning, collaboration, effective
methods, and enthusiasm. He also instilled motivation and dedication in his own children.

Legacy and Family
Tragically, Greg passed away unexpectedly on January 18, 2023, just before he and Tammy
were to enjoy retirement. He left a rich legacy, touching countless lives through his years of
teaching and coaching. Survived by four adult children—Brittany (Daniel) Dubnicka, Ryan
(Daysi) Aprahamian, Tyler Aprahamian, and Megan (Daniel) Edwards—his memory lives on
through his grandchildren, Raylee, Drew, Max, Jackson, and Gregory, with hopes of more to
come, and in the many lives he shaped as a coach, teacher, and father.

Muskego:

• 116-29 Dual Meet Record
• 48-1 Conference Dual Meet Record
• 3 Team State Appearances
• Team State Championship in 1994
• Coach of the Year 1994
  
  Kettle Moraine:
• Led Kettle Moraine to its first and only Classic 8 Conference Championship in 2001
• 10 State place winners
• 1 State Champion
  
  Mukwonago:
• 7 seasons with Mukwonago, teams won Classic 8 Conference 6 out of 7 seasons
• Team State appearances in 2006, 2007, 2011
• Team state semifinals 2011
  
• Achievement:
  Coached at 3 different Classic 8 Conference Teams: Muskego, Kettle Moraine, Mukwonago

The following are links for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Chapter. Wendall Bean was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2022.
https://nwhof.org/
https://nwhof.org/state-chapters
https://nwhof.org/state-chapters/wisconsin

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

Our last image in the Fairhaven series of flashbacks is one that celebrates the staff of the facility. One of Fairhaven’s attractions is the good service that is given to the older residents. This image is probably from the 1970s and is marked “Housekeeping Staff at Fairhaven.” The women in the photo are Mary Hoffman, Dolores Boynton, Donna Miles, Dorothy Kadlec, Marie Leider, Evah Wimer, Vivian Henderson, Marion Olson, Gerry Behadich, and Edna Linson.

Join us next week as we celebrate spring with the Whitewater Historical Society!

(2678P, Whitewater Historical Society)

Rainbow Community Care is excited to announce that the Rainbow Thrift Shoppe will soon open at 905 Madison Avenue in Fort Atkinson!

To get the store up and running, Rainbow Thrift Shoppe is seeking volunteers as well as donations of gently used, clean, and resalable items. Volunteers will assist with store operations, sorting donations, staging displays, and stocking items. 

Proceeds from the sale of donated goods will help improve the lives of patients and families served by Rainbow Community Care through its hospice, palliative care, advance care planning, grief support, parish nursing, and volunteer programs. 

We invite the public to join us at one of our three volunteer and donation recruitment events: 

– Thursday, April 3rd, from 4 PM to 7 PM 

– Friday, April 4th, from 2 PM to 5 PM 

– Saturday, April 5th, from 9 AM to 12 PM 

We are planning a soft opening on Monday, April 14th, from 10 AM to 6 PM, followed by a grand opening on Monday, April 28th, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Hours are planned to be Monday through Friday, 10-6 and Saturday, 9-1. Stay tuned for more information at RainbowThriftShoppe.org.

Editor’s note: The image on the homepage is not from the Rainbow Thrift Shoppe. We appreciate having permission to use it from Carla Burke from Pixabay.

Brindley Martin Launches “Hearts for the Arts” Jewelry to help with Art Scholarships

Studio 84 is thrilled to announce the launch of Brindley Martin’s “Hearts for the Arts” limited edition heart-shaped jewelry that will benefit the scholarship program that helps others with special needs attend art and dance classes. 100% of the proceeds from Brindley’s whimsical jewelry will go directly to funding Studio 84 classes for those in need.

Brindley Martin, an artist who has autism, has been attending Studio 84 for more than ten years, and he has always loved painting with brilliant colors. He especially enjoys making what he calls “drip-drops,” which involves pouring different colored paints from cups onto a canvas. Crafting pieces from Brindley’s colorful “drop-drops” into jewelry has resulted in miniature, one-of-a-kind pieces of art sweetly displayed in beautiful heart-shaped pendants and keychains.

“Studio 84 has been a blessing to Brindley and our family in multiple ways, and we wanted to find a way to give back. We understand that not everyone has the opportunity to participate in art and dance classes, so this is our way of supporting others,” says Anjie Kokan, Brindley’s mom. “Brin has always found such joy at Studio 84, both in creating and dancing. We would love for more people to experience this kind of joy, too.”

Studio 84, a nonprofit art studio located in downtown Whitewater, provides fully accessible opportunities in the arts to enrich people’s lives by focusing on the strengths and abilities of each individual by encouraging the creative voice with self-directed activities, thus inspiring self-worth, pride, confidence and acceptance.

Brindley Martin’s “Hearts for the Arts” pendants and keychains can be purchased at Studio 84 and the Whitewater Arts Alliance in downtown Whitewater, or at Rainabobaina’s in Palmyra. To find out more about art and dance at Studio 84, please call (262) 473-9845.

Lauren Francl of Whitewater, Wisconsin, was recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at St. Norbert College.

Francl is among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

The following charges have been filed in Walworth County Circuit Court in recent months against Whitewater area residents. None of the cases have been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Brandon S Weathers, 37, of 127 N. Harris St., Whitewater, has been charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, repeater; vehicle operator flee/elude officer, repeater; possession of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinols) – second and subsequent offense, repeater. All are charged as felonies.

Joshua A Therriault, 39, of 340 N Newcomb St, E7, Whitewater, has been charged with three counts first degree sexual assault of a child under age 12; first-degree child sexual assault; child enticement; and threats to injure or accuse of a crime. All are charged as felonies.

Jeremy David Meyer, 43, 424 S. Pleasant St., Whitewater, has been charged with Intimidate Victim/Use or Attempt Force and False imprisonment. Both are charged as felonies.

David J Mayer, 35, of W7856 Timber Trl, Whitewater, has been charged with nine counts felony bail jumping.

Tina M Lindholm, 53, of W9448 Island Dr, Whitewater, has been charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence – fourth offense, a felony.

Rosember Jimenez Perez, 31, of 928 W. Highland St., Whitewater, has been charged with felony intimidation of a victim; false imprisonment; strangulation and suffocation. All are charged as felonies.

Written by Kristine Zaballos | Photo by Craig Schreiner

Seven individuals who have achieved exceptional professional success or have made significant contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are being honored as the university proudly celebrates its 157th anniversary. The 2025 class of alumni award honorees include graduates with job responsibilities as diverse as managing grizzlies in a national park to playing a purple trombone in extreme conditions to coaching an NFL team — all reflecting the spirit of Warhawk Boldness and a culture of philanthropy that characterize the campus culture at UW-Whitewater.

The awards will be presented at the Founders Day Celebration, held at UW-Whitewater at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26.

This year the university is honoring the professional achievements of two outstanding recent alumni. Tyler Brasington, who earned a B.S. in environmental science in 2017, has been serving as a bear management ranger with the National Park Service at Grand Teton in Wyoming since 2019. Dr. Sylvia Washington, who earned a B.S. in sociology and criminal justice in 2016 and an M.S. in professional development and higher education leadership in 2017, serves as the director of DEI and partnerships at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions in Baltimore, Maryland.

UW-Whitewater is also honoring two distinguished alumni for their professional achievement. Eric Studesville, who earned a BSE in physical education in 1989, is associate head coach and running backs coach with the Miami Dolphins. His professional football coaching career includes a number of positions with collegiate teams, quality control coaching with the Chicago Bears, and stints as running back coach with the New York Giants from 2001-2003, the Buffalo Bills from 2004-2009 and the Denver Broncos from 2010-2017. Studesville describes former head coach Bob Berezowitz and former defensive coordinator Bruce Bukowski as mentors who meaningfully shaped his time on campus and his ability to forge meaningful, long-lasting relationships with the players he coaches.

Also receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement is Lisa Werner. Werner, who earned her B.M. in music education-instrumental in 2001, is music teacher and band director at St. Bruno Parish School in Dousman and the senior symphony orchestra manager with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra organization. In order to show her students that music is connected to everything, she has participated in unique interdisciplinary learning programs that have taken her — and her purple plastic trombone — into zero gravity, out to sea to conduct research, to Antarctica to engage in music-related activities often inspired by her students, and, later this year, to Africa on a Fulbright.

Jeff Angileri is this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service to UW-Whitewater. After earning a B.A in journalism in 2006, Angileri worked as a broadcast journalist for several years and then returned to campus, where he serves as executive director of University Marketing and Communications. Angileri has used his communication and marketing talents to champion UW-Whitewater during its greatest triumphs and achievements and to serve as a rock of stability and strength during the university’s most challenging times. A student speaker at his own graduation, he has mentored 35 student commencement speakers as well as supervising dozens of student interns. He meaningfully contributed to the university’s 150th celebration by serving as host of the gala event and authoring the book created to honor the occasion. And as the recipient of college scholarships who experienced first-hand the impact of philanthropy, he donates annually to the Warhawks Give and Giving Tuesday fundraisers.

The recipients of the S.A. White Award for Contributions to UW-Whitewater are Dick and Roni Telfer. The Telfers have made an imprint on the campus and the surrounding community in numerous ways. Dick Telfer provided 30 years of professional service to UW-Whitewater, culminating in his role as chancellor from 2007 to 2015. Roni Telfer’s contributions in education encompassed leadership roles in the community, including serving as co-president of the Whitewater Community Foundation, and an instructional technology position with UW-Whitewater. At UW-Whitewater the couple established the Richard and Veronica Telfer Fellowship Program and the Telfer Incentive Program and have provided financial support to numerous programs at UW-Whitewater, including the College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Arts and Communication and the Young Auditorium, Hyland Hall, Athletics, and Wheelchair Basketball, programs that they ardently supported while in their campus roles.

“This year’s alumni award winners embody the spirit of Warhawk Bold — both professionally and in their communities,” said Chancellor Corey A. King. “UW-Whitewater has a strong track record of producing talented, versatile graduates. I am proud to recognize and celebrate the achievements of these Warhawks.”

“We are incredibly proud of this cohort of award winners, whose dedication to their communities, the university, and student success is truly inspiring,” said Amy Oeding ’90, executive director of alumni relations. “Their professional achievements and continued commitment to service and support exemplifies the spirit that defines the Warhawk family.”

Also being honored are the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Lori & Eric Lorenz Outstanding Student Scholars, one from each of the university’s five undergraduate colleges. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship in addition to their award.

Editor’s note: Further information regarding each of the recipients may be found by clicking on the link with their name.

The compost site, 599 N. Jefferson St., will on open on Saturdays beginning April 5, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, starting April 9, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

The compost site is available to City of Whitewater residents only. Residents can bring yard waste to the site for disposal. Residents are required to empty the yard waste from any container used in the transportation of the yard waste and take the container home. [The only exception is leaves or other yard waste that is contained in biodegradable bags. Those bags do not need to be emptied. The finance department distributes free bio bags in the fall.]

Residents can also help themselves to composted material or wood chips at the site. Residents must load their own compost or wood chips. The city will provide a loader for loading chips and compost beginning Saturday, April 5. This loader will be available on the first Saturday of each month until the site closes for the season on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

*Please allow enough time for unloading as the compost site will close promptly at the posted times. *

If you have any questions, please call the Department of Public Works at 262-473-0560.

For other requests, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

AVISO: Apertura del sitio de compostaje para la temporada
El sitio de compostaje abrirá los sábados a partir del 5 de abril de 2025, de 8:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. y
los miércoles, a partir del 9 de abril, de 3:00 p.m. a 7:00 p.m.
El sitio de compostaje está disponible solo para los residentes de la ciudad de Whitewater. Los
residentes pueden traer desechos de jardín al sitio para su eliminación. Se requiere que los
residentes vacíen los desechos del jardín de cualquier contenedor utilizado en el transporte de los
desechos del jardín y se lleven el contenedor a casa.
Los residentes también pueden ayudarse a sí mismos con material compostado o astillas de madera
en el sitio. Los residentes deben cargar su propio compost o astillas de madera. La Ciudad
proporcionará un cargador para cargar astillas y compost a partir del sábado 5 de abril. Este
cargador estará disponible el primer sábado de cada mes hasta el cierre de la temporada el
miércoles 19 de noviembre de 2025.

• Espere suficiente tiempo para descargar, ya que el sitio de compostaje cerrará puntualmente a las
  horas publicadas. *
  AVISO: Ordenanza de la Ciudad Capítulo 12.08 – Obstrucciones de calles, Sección: 12.08.010 – Se
  prohíbe a los residentes depositar cualquier residuo de jardín en las calles de la ciudad o derechos
  de paso que no sean los días designados por la Ciudad de Whitewater.
  Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame al Departamento de Obras Públicas al 262-473-0560.
  El sitio de compostaje está ubicado en 599 N. Jefferson St.
  
  Para otras solicitudes, visite https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/RequestTracker.aspx.