News & Events

In recognition of the outstanding support that the community of Whitewater provides to the school, each year the WHS Student Council selects two community members to serve as Grandma and Grandpa Whippet. Grandma and Grandpa Whippet exhibit the kind of support for academics, athletics, and arts that Whitewater High School is known for. This year’s Grandma and Grandpa Whippet are Tanya Brown and Ron Sdano. 

Tanya has been a lifelong Whippet, graduating from WHS in 1989. She currently works as a social worker and as a side gig, you can find her DJ’ing weddings. Tanya also has four children (Dan, Katie, Emily, and Lucas) who have either graduated or will graduate from WHS. She is seen supporting students at many Whitewater High School events throughout the year. Tanya is appreciated throughout the Whitewater community and exemplifies the #TheWhippetWay.

Ron Sdano is also a lifelong Whippet. He graduated from WHS in 1977 and was a Whitewater Unified School District employee for 35 years, spending all of his years at Whitewater Middle School as a Physical Education Teacher. Ron has over 30 years of coaching experience in football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Ron’s children, Geoff and Justin, are also WHS grads. Ron is a huge supporter of the Academics, Arts, and Athletics of the Whitewater community. He is Triple-A Proud.

Congratulations, Tanya and Ron!

Article Submitted by Amy Houwers
Whitewater High School Student Council Advisor
ahouwers@wwusd.org

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

With the onset of Fall and the month of October the Whitewater Community Food Pantry will begin signing patrons up for the Thanksgiving meal beginning October 6th and ending October 28th.

The pantry wishes to acknowledge the loyal supporters of the food pantry with their generous donations.
Festival Foods donated an enormous amount of apple juice which has pleased our patrons very much as this is something they rarely receive from the food pantry. They have also provided laundry detergent, another rare commodity seldom donated and many other donations through their Food Share Program. Our volunteer gentlemen donate their time to pick up this donation.

Every Monday a faithful volunteer picks up the food donation from Walmart. We receive a variety of food products: meat, produce, bread and bakery and other canned goods. Walmart also donates plastic bags which we desperately need.

Another wonderful donation every Monday comes from the Bimbo Bakery in Janesville, a gentleman who works there bring this to the pantry.

Tuesday morning a Whitewater gentleman brings the food pantry a very large donation of bread from the Kenosha Panera Bread Store; yes, he gets up early and drives an hour away and back in all kinds of weather to bring the bread for our patrons.

Weekly the food pantry receives an order from Feeding America of over 1200 lbs. of food at a very low cost often at no cost to the pantry.

The Whitewater Farmers and Gardeners come in weekly providing fresh produce for our patrons. They have given the food pantry an assortment of corn, green beans, peppers, squash, potatoes, apples, cucumber, zucchini, an assortment of tomatoes and so much more to choose from. One of our patrons brought in rhubarb to share with his fellow patrons.

Many friends of the Whitewater Community Food Pantry regularly give monetary donations and often in memoriam of family and friends.

The W. C. F. P. also has a loyal lady supporter who knits hats and scarves for children and adults and donates dolls and books too.

Needless to say we are very grateful and appreciate everyone for their generous support to the Whitewater Community Food Pantry.

Tickets at http://www.youngauditorium.com
Per https://www.uww.edu/warhawks-are-back, facial coverings are currently required in all UW-W buildings.

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

This week’s image features an undated aerial view, which would have been taken before 1970, of one of the senior living facilities in town, Fairhaven. Rev. Dr. Jess H. Norenberg, then superintendent of the Wisconsin Congregational Conference (which later became the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ), was one of the key players in bringing the idea to fruition. Ground was broken on the $1,750,000 project on October 2, 1960, with the first five residents moving in in early 1962. Over the years, the facility has continued to grow, providing an increasing number of services and facilities for the aging.

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!

(2128PC, Whitewater Historical Society)

The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org! ​

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by UW- Whitewater.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater welcomed its largest freshman class in four years, with 1,873 new freshmen enrolled for the fall 2021 semester. Total enrollment at the university is 11,447, with 10,804 students at the Whitewater campus and 643 students at the Rock County campus. The figures represent preliminary enrollment numbers taken on the 10th day of instruction. Final figures are expected to be available later in the fall semester.

“We’re elated to see students once again engaged in learning in the classrooms and laboratories, and competing on the athletic fields. We know how important in-person instruction is to our students and 83% of our undergraduate classes offer them that experience. There is a wonderful energy permeating the campus this semester with many athletic and social events,” said Jim Henderson, interim chancellor. “While our overall enrollment is down slightly, the larger freshman class and other recruitment successes point to a positive trajectory for our enrollment moving forward.”

The School of Graduate Studies is seeing its largest class in history with 1,683 students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates, an increase of 116 students from last year.

With the fall 2021 semester underway, UW-Whitewater is already accepting and processing applications for the fall 2022 semester. Students applying for undergraduate admission can do so at no cost, and ACT/SAT test scores continue to be optional as part of the university’s comprehensive review process. The admission application also serves as a student’s application for many new student scholarship opportunities. Daily campus tours are available at the Whitewater campus and weekly tours at the Rock County campus.

New this year, UW-Whitewater is part of a $1 million initiative to help guide high school students in preparing for, applying to, and enrolling in one of UW System’s 13 universities. UW-Whitewater pre-college coaches will start this fall semester and work in Beloit Memorial and Turner high schools, Janesville Craig and Parker high schools, and in Badger (Lake Geneva), Bigfoot (Walworth), Delavan-Darien, and Elkhorn high schools. 

“Our counselors are excited to engage earlier with students as they explore their college options across the UW System and find the appropriate education pathways that align with their career interests,” said Matt Aschenbrener, associate vice chancellor for enrollment and retention. “The focus of the pre-college pipeline initiative is to work with regional high school partners to identify and prepare under-represented and underserved students to help them be successful at the university and beyond. We are fortunate to be working with 8 of the 25 high schools involved with this project.” 

Banner note: The following table is copied from https://www.uww.edu/documents/ir/University%20Data/Enrollment/Enrollment%20Summary.pdf
Below that table the Banner is providing a comparison of this year’s enrollment with last year’s.

	2020-21	2021-22
Whitewater Campus Undergraduate	9657	9121
Graduate	1567	1683
Total Whitewater Campus	11224	10804
Rock County Campus	771	643
Grand Total	11995	11447

Banner note: The following information was provided by the UW System. UW-W’s reported enrollment dropped by over 4%.

UW System enrollment drops 1% for the fall semester, according to initial estimates

MADISON, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin System today released an initial fall 2021 enrollment estimate of 163,708 students, an estimated 1 percent decrease compared to fall 2020 based on initial first-day figures.

UW System typically discloses only final fall enrollment figures, and typically later in the semester, but is again announcing initial estimates based on first-day figures because of interest in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

System President Tommy Thompson noted freshman and new transfer registrations have increased by 1,316, or 4 percent, including at eight of 13 university main campuses, according to the estimates, but dropped by 3,305 among other undergraduates, or 4 percent.

“These preliminary estimates reflect a number of factors,” Thompson said. “It’s clear that students continue to view the UW System as a tremendous value and their ticket to a brighter future. New freshman and transfer students are up, thanks to our added recruitment tools coupled with the extraordinary work done by admissions and registrations staff.”

Overall enrollment increased at three universities and dropped at 10, according to the estimates. UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay, and UW-Superior show increases, according to the estimates.

“The last 18 months have been incredibly challenging, not only for our UW schools, but also at colleges of all types throughout the nation,” stated Thompson. “With plentiful jobs and COVID-19 creating challenges, retaining students has been especially difficult for all of higher education.”

The final enrollment figures to be made public later this year may still differ from the first-day enrollment estimates released today.

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Saturday, October 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. will be an opportunity to celebrate Whitewater’s LGBTQ+ community. Students from the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center and IMPACT, along with the Unity Project, Studio 84, First United Methodist Church, The Book Teller, and Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) are inviting supporters to join them on Saturday, October 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center (near the Birge Fountain) in Whitewater to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

The event will feature family-friendly music and entertainment, including performances by volunteer members of the Warhawk Marching Band, student drag performer Victorya Attwood, singer/songwriter Felix Ramsey, and more!

Stephanie Selvick (she/her) is the LGBTQ Coordinator at UW-Whitewater. Students in the PB Poorman Pride Center and IMPACT say: “The Whitewater Pride event is important because it can help people find safety in their identity within a small-town community. Inclusive events help to debunk stereotypes that render LGBTQ+ people in small towns invisible. Gen Z has already gone viral for being the most LGBTQ+ identified generation yet (16% in a 2020 Gallup poll!). This Pride celebration offers young people a platform to connect, celebrate each other, and showcase the gender and sexual diversity that of course already exists in Whitewater.”

Camden Harlan (she/her/hers) is an advisor for the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance. She said, “Our GSA is honored to be one of the sponsors of the PRIDE event this October. Our focus is to educate our students, staff, and community on positive ways to speak out against hate, prejudice, and injustice. This opportunity allows our students to meet others who share these concerns, make friends, and know that they are not alone. A safe space where they can express themselves or learn how to be a more active Ally is empowering for them, and honestly, this event is saving lives. What an honor!”

Lauren Smith (she/her), one of the founders of Whitewater Unites Lives, said, “WUL is so delighted to partner in this PRIDE event, as it is a perfect fit for the mission of WUL. Our group is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity. Our thanks to the Unity Project in Fort Atkinson for expanding their event from last year’s Fort location to include neighboring communities.  Everyone should feel welcome and appreciated in their communities.” 

More information about the event can be found on Facebook at Whitewater Pride Rally.

There is limited parking behind the Cultural Arts Center, and people are invited to park in the First English Lutheran Church lot across from the CAC. People are encouraged to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID.

The image on the homepage, “Pride rainbow flag” by Thompson Rivers is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.