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The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team traveled to Monroe for a non-conference game Monday night, December 12.
Keeping our turnovers low, controlling the tempo of the game, and keeping our intensity up were key in securing the 59-41 win against the Cheesemakers.
We had great contributions from every player that stepped on the floor. Calli Grosinske led the Whippets with 22 points and had 4 rebounds and 6 steals. Danielle DePorter added 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals. Katie Gillette scored 7 and ripped down 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Mayte Navejas also scored 7 and had 6 rebounds.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
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.
On December 4 at the Prairie Village Community Center, the League of Women Voters – Whitewater Area presented their “Making Democracy Work” award to Patrick Singer and Lynn Binnie. Both Patrick and Lynn served on the City of Whitewater Common Council for 14 years, with Patrick having retired in 2021 and Lynn in 2022. Unfortunately Patrick was unable to attend the presentation due to family illness. Photos below are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
The award read as follows:
WHEREAS, the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area is affiliated with the LWV of the United States (LWVUS), the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement in America and in Whitewater, Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the League is a nonpartisan political organization that has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League’s Making Democracy Work Award honors community members that exemplify the League’s mission; and
WHEREAS, the Whitewater Area League collaborates with LWVUS and other organizations to achieve mutual goals, increase civic participation, create lasting change in the community, and, above all, signify to others that the League of Women Voters “Makes Democracy Work;”
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the LWV of the Whitewater Area has chosen LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER as the recipients of the 2022 Making Democracy Work Award for their civility and influential leadership as members and past presidents of the Whitewater Common Council and for their years of service on many community boards and committees.
NOW THEREFORE, we members of the League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area, urge all residents of Whitewater, Wisconsin to pay great tribute and respect to LYNN BINNIE and PATRICK SINGER for all they represent and have accomplished on behalf of their fellow citizens.”
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by The Whitewater Landmarks Commission.
The City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission has designated the Converse House at 161 N. Fremont Street, currently owned by John and Mary Seiser as a Local Landmark. The mission of the commission is the preservation of the city’s architecturally, culturally and historically significant properties.
The Converse House received the designation at a public hearing on December 8th. Located on Fremont Street, pioneer settler, Frederick J. Starin designed and built the single family residence for his daughter Margaret and her husband E.D. Converse. The building of the Italianate style house, believed to have begun in 1868 and completed in 1869 was designed as a rectangular, cream brick two story building. It is one of the few remaining examples of the Italianate style with arched openings in the city of Whitewater. A front porch was added to the home in the late 1880’s.
The present owners have recaptured the Victorian feeling with their exquisite decorating and collection of antiques typical of the time period.
The house is potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and is the 27th Local Landmark in the City of Whitewater.
Update: In addition to the public forums on campus shown with each candidate’s information, there also is an opportunity for the remaining four candidates to meet with members of the community at the Community Engagement Center, 1260 W. Main Street. Those dates and times are shown below.
Lynn D. Akey – December 6, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
John D. Chenoweth – December 7, 2023 – 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Corey A. King – December 8, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Mrinal Mugdh Varma – December 13, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Paul D. Plotkowski – December 14, 2023– 5 to 6 pm – Community Engagement Center
Further information regarding the forums is available here.
The candidates will also participate in separate campus public forums, offering opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to interact directly with them. The schedule for each forum is shown below.
The finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:
Lynn D. Akey
Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Mankato, MN
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream:
John D. Chenoweth
Interim Chancellor, University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
Whitewater, WI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here
Corey A. King
Vice Chancellor for University Inclusivity and Student Affairs, UW-Green Bay
Green Bay, WI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
Paul D. Plotkowski
Dean and Professor, Padnos College of Engineering and Computing, Grand Valley State University
Grand Rapids, MI
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
Mrinal Mugdh Varma
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor, Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, AL
Curriculum vitae
In person: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, Timmerman Auditorium, Hyland Hall
Live stream: See link here.
After reviewing campus feedback, Rothman and the Special Regent Committee, comprised of Regents Bogost, Ashok Rai, Jill Underly, and Kyle Weatherly and chaired by Regent Vice President Bogost, will interview the finalists and recommend a single successful candidate to the Board of Regents, which must approve the appointment.
The person selected through this process will be UW-Whitewater’s 18th chancellor.
For more information about the five candidates, the public conversations, and the search process, see the UW-Whitewater chancellor search page: https://www.uww.edu/chancellor-search. For more information about UW-Whitewater, go to its homepage: https://www.uww.edu/.
The Varsity Gymnastics Team competed in their second meet of the season at the Janesville Craig Invite on Saturday, December 10th. The girls continue to impress with their personal bests, new skills performed, and eagerness to compete in new rotations.
Halee Peters led the way with a season best on the balance beam with a 7.95. She followed that up with a lifetime best score on the floor with an 8.35 and then a medal worthy performance on vault, taking 5th. In her last rotation, she had a season best score of 7.65 on the uneven bars, which also ties her lifetime best score.
Brooke Bazeley was able to perform her floor and her beam routines for the first time this season. She accepted the challenge with a no fall beam routine picking up where she left off last season! She is excited to add some new skills to both routines for future meets.
Makayla Bazeley scored close to her season best on the balance beam with a 7.05 and followed that up with a fun to watch floor routine where she did her best 720 pirouette. Her routine on the uneven bars scored her a season best that tied with her lifetime best score of 7.30. She added a double cut catch to her routine and nailed it.
Nola Coburn had a great day on the floor where she had a season best score of 6.65. She went on to have a season best score on the vault with a 7.35 which is getting close to her lifetime best score.
Stephanie Walters competed for the first time this season on the balance beam, and her score contributed to the team score. It was great to see her trying new skills and hope to add more to her mix in the upcoming meets.
Alexa Wildenberg continues to impress with her floor routine, earning a season best score. She also has been working hard to be able to compete on the vault, and her score contributed to the team score for that rotation!
The girls have a little break in competitions until January 3rd when they have a home meet against Elkhorn. Hope to see you there!
Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org
This week, the Whippet Wrestlers had a busy couple of days being in action on Thursday night, December 8, and again on Saturday, December 10.
On Thursday night, the Whippets traveled to East Troy to participate in a dual meet with Clinton and East Troy, our first two dual meets of the season. The team wrestled very well in both duals coming out on top 60-12 against Clinton and 47-36 against East Troy. Clinton had been down over the years number wise, but the new coach is doing a very nice job getting students out, and they had many competitive matches. The Whippets wrestled well in all the matches to seal wins in many of them. Clinton also provided our JV members with some good matches as well. Whitewater has 44 student-athletes on the team, so it can be difficult getting good matches for all the students. Many had the opportunity on Thursday and performed well.
In the next dual meet against East Troy, it was typical East Troy vs Whitewater fashion. Three of the last four times these two teams have met it has come down to criteria after it finished in a tie. This year could very easily have been the same; however, Whitewater was able to wrestle with grit and win the swing matches. The coaches were proud of the performance of the team after one of their teammates went down with an injury. They did not know what was wrong but were concerned for their teammate. They kept wrestling hard to finish it out. One of the key swing matches came at 126 when CJ Tomomitsu battled back after losing the majority of the match but was able to secure a pin in the 3rd period which created a huge change in events for the dual meet.
On Saturday, the team hosted a 12-team invitational. This year was the most competitive it has been in the 9 years Whitewater has hosted it. There were many very competitive matches throughout the day, and in the end, Burlington won the tournament with Riverdale coming in second place. Whitewater wrestled well during the day and finished in 4th place. The coaching staff was happy with this finish. We were shorthanded in a couple of weight classes to take care of injuries as the focus is the big picture, not a one-day event.
Unfortunately, the team did not have any finalist this year, but they did have four finish in 3rd place. Jason Villegas, CJ Tomomitsu, Connor Friend, and Payton Lyon all had one loss on the day, but each finished 4-1 to claim 3rd place. Each of the losses were to extremely tough competitors but they all did well in the loss. It is difficult to come back from a loss, but each of them did so to win their last match of the day.
Alongside the boys’ competition there were also brackets set up for the girls to compete in. The women’s wrestling team has some very nice numbers with some new additions in the last week as well. Whitewater had three competing on Saturday. Khloe Meyer has not found success in the win column; however, she is showing much improvement each time she competes. Lauren Buehler wrestled well, pinning her first opponent then losing in the championship in a well wrestled match where she got out of position and took the loss. Lauren finished in 2nd place.
Ashly Xochipa had a great day going 4-0 and bringing home the gold. She pinned all four of her opponents. In one, she was behind in a close match but got a big reversal to the girl’s back for the pin. Ashly improved her record to 9-1 on the year with the wins on Saturday.
Against East Troy and Clinton the ladies also had some very good competition. Coming away with wins for the girls were Lauren Buehler, Stephanie Wence, and Ashly Xochipa who had 3 wins on the night. This was a great performance for the ladies’ team.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Dance Factory and Lake Geneva Symphony present Tchaikovsky’s popular ballet, The Nutcracker, written in 1892, on Saturday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets ($30-35) are available here.
EMMANUEL RAMIREZ. Born and raised in Mexico, Emmanuel is a dance teacher, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Universidad de Guadalajara and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Drama from Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Mexico. Emmanuel has danced for various professional companies throughout Mexico, such as Compañía de Danza Clasica y Neoclasica de Jalisco, Compañía de Danza Clásica de Quintana Roo, Danza UNAM, Atelier Ballet Teatro Contemporaneo and Guadalajara en Movimiento, where he danced choreography pieces of Mark Godden, Nazira Yakubova, Katia Garza, Rosario Murillo, Dalirys Valladares, Sergio Vicencio, Arcadio Carbonell, Diego Vazquez, Raul Fernandez, among others. Emmanuel moved to Chicago in 2016 where he’s performed annually in both Ballet Legere’s and Ruth Page’s Nutcracker and danced as a company member of Elements Contemporary Ballet. As a Teacher, he has worked for Maywood Fine Arts, Ballet Legere, Dance On Broadway, The Rooted Space, Kenwood Ballet School, and Chicago Public Schools. As an actor he played the role Iago from Othelo for Repertorio Latino Theater Company, Sharks’ ensemble in West Side Story at Marriott Theater, and Ramon in Zorro the Musical at Musical Theater Works. He recently earned his Pilates Certification through Kinetic Axis studying under Steven Winterstein and is certified nationally through the Pilates Method Alliance.
NICOLE VOLPE. A Chicagoland local, Nicole has had an eclectic performance career. After graduating from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN in 2016 with a degree in Psychology, she returned home to Chicagoland to study at Lou Conte Dance Studio’s Scholarship Program. Before launching her career as a freelance dancer, she also trained at Ruth Page, Hubbard Street Professional Program, and ABT Summer Intensives, among others. In Chicago, she had the opportunity to dance as a season soloist with Mandala South Asian Arts, Ballerina #1 on FOX’s Empire, with Alma Dance School in their productions of Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, and as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tina Hansen’s Nutcracker in 2019. Most recently, she had the opportunity to perform in the ensemble and Mistress alternate in Drury Lane Theater’s production of Evita. She is now living in Boston, MA with her husband and three cats, where she runs Nicole Marie Photography. She continues to dance in Boston, and is excited to be dancing with City Ballet of Boston, collaborating with Harvard Ballet Company, and exploring her own choreographic work with the thriving Boston dance community. She is thrilled to be returning to dance with The Dance Factory’s Nutcracker!
Obituaries
Becca Piper, 65, of Sedona, AZ died on November 21, 2024 as a result of complications of antibiotic toxicity. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Michael and her parents Reg and Maydean Nash. She is survived by her dear husband of almost 40 years, Ken Piper, along with her children Joe, ^^Michael^^, Selena and Larry, granddaughter Maelyn and Becca’s siblings David and Janet (Nash) Schenck. She is also survived by extraordinary friends, extended family and much loved colleagues. Being a mother was especially important to Becca. She and Ken adopted all of their 4 children. Becca’s life … Read more
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In Loving Memory of Will Daniel Ensslin Whitewater, WI – Will Daniel Ensslin, 77, passed away peacefully on 11-26-2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a brave and long battle with cancer. He was born on February 5, 1947 in West Allis, WI to Willy and Ellen Ensslin. Will was a devoted husband, proud and loving father, cherished brother, uncle, cousin and loyal friend to many. He was also a proud Vietnam veteran, serving his country with courage and honor as a Huey helicopter mechanic from 1966 – 1967 — a dedication to service that remained a cornerstone of his life. He married the love of his life and best friend, Susan Bilkovich, in 1971 in Milwaukee, WI. Shortly after their wedding, … Read more
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Richard Allen Splitter, age 80, of Blue Eye, Missouri, passed away November 12, 2024. He entered this life on June 16, 1944, the son of Edward and Berniece (Craig) Splitter in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Richard proudly served our country in the United States Navy for two terms. During his time in the service, he was able to get his master’s degree in engineering from California State University of Long Beach. During his working years, Richard was an engineer for different aerospace companies. He retired to Blue Eye, Missouri, and thoroughly enjoyed lake life. Richard appreciated the outdoors and loved hiking, fishing, … Read more
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Edward W. HamiltonApril 3,1941 – October 26, 2024 Edward “Edjo” Wickman Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at home. Ed was born in Evanston, Illinois and moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin with his family when he was eight years old. He attended Whitewater High School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a bachelor of science degree. He also served two years in the army. He moved to Davenport, Iowa in 1971 and worked at John Deere Davenport Works until he retired in 2001. Then he followed a dream, moved back to Whitewater and … Read more
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Verne Paul Schrank was born on March 9, 1930 at home on the family farm in Lima Township, Rock County, to Arthur and Marie (Witte) Schrank. He attended the Sturtevant one room school which closed when he graduated in 1944. He attended Whitewater High School and graduated in 1948. Verne farmed with his parents until 1967 when he moved to Whitewater and worked for the Whitewater Unified School District as a custodian – courier for 27 years. Verne served on various boards at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, as well as playing on the dartball team for many years. Verne … Read more
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After a long full life, Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss was called home to the Lord. Janine was born on April Fool’s Day, 1930 in Milwaukee. She grew up enjoying Trolleys, dancing and school with her sisters, Donna Domagalski, Marcyl Howel, Karen Moczynski and her parents, Glenn and Lucille Dickerson. In 1950, she married Frederic Weiss in a little church in Three Lakes WI. Shortly after, the first of 5 kids was born with the next 2 shortly after. Denice Lucille (Edward DeGroot), David Arthur, and Dana Lynn (Stephen Lind). After a breather Debra Beth (Alyn Jones) and Donna Raye (Dale … Read more
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Raymond Miles, 96, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Our House Senior Living in Whitewater. Raymond was born on February 10, 1928, in Elkhorn, WI to Rueben and Norma Miles. He served in the US Army. On June 18, 1955, Raymond married Waverly Sutherland in Whitewater, WI. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Livestock Dealer. In retirement, he cherished time spent with his family and remained informed on the farming community. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Waverly of Whitewater, sons Eddie of Madison and Todd (Barbara) Miles of Sarasota FL, … Read more
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Connie Jean Sukowski embarked on her next big adventure on the evening of Friday, November 8, 2024. Connie enjoyed decades of adventures with friends and family. She spent 36 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students in the Palmyra Eagle School District, working alongside many cherished colleagues and friends. Connie and her husband, Patrick Theodore Sukowski, shared 55 and a half years of marriage. Together they raised four children: Peter, Allan, Ann and Kevin Sukowski. She took great joy in watching her five grandchildren grow into amazing adults: Sonora Sukowski, Brianne Hebbe, Jared Gundrum-Sukowski, Nolan Causey, and Lore Lai Schimmel. … Read more
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Nancy Lou Hallock Cooper passed away November 8, 2024 due to complications of lungcancer. Nancy was born on April 20, 1936 in Springfield, MA to Howard and Barbara (Corliss) Hallock. As a child, Nancy spent every summer in her beloved Piermont, NH where she and her brothers “helped” the local farmer with his chores, including riding in the truck with the milk cans every morning. She enjoyed swimming in the local brooks, picking berries, going to the nearby library, visiting with cousins, and playing croquet every evening. As she grew older, she spent time as a camper and then a camp … Read more
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James Robert Trier (Jimbo), passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on December 22, 1934, in New Holstein, WI, to George and Frances Trier. He spent his later years residing in Whitewater, WI. Jim began his teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and then dedicated 55 years of his life to education as a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was the chairman of the faculty senate as well. He had a passion for math and an engaging teaching style, which made him a student favorite. He was known for telling … Read more
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