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The Whitewater Unified School District School Board has selected three finalists in its search for the next district superintendent. The finalists are Samuel Karns, Kurt Schneider, and Laurie Fiorenza.
As part of the selection process, the three finalists will spend a day in the district on Thursday, May 22. The day will include a tour of the schools and time to meet with staff and students. Parents, families, and community members will also have an opportunity to meet the candidates in a public session that evening.
All interested families, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the session, which will take place from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Each of the finalists will introduce themselves and take questions during their individual 45-minute session.
All district and community participants throughout the day will be able to share their feedback with the board via an online form, available through a link and QR code. The School Board will conduct final interviews with each of the candidates that evening.
Below are details on each of the finalists:
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
All WUSD after-school activities, athletics, and practices will be cancelled today, May 15, 2025, due to severe weather predictions in the area.
Alex Clarksen’s senior voice recital has been postponed until next week Wednesday, May 21 at 7:15pm, after senior portfolio presentations.
Lincoln Elementary School’s Family Teacher Partnership donated a helmet to every student who wanted one! A total of 115 helmets were distributed this year!
We take bike safety very seriously, even Mr. Smith, our P.E. teacher, demonstrates the importance of helmet safety while teaching a roller blading unit.
As the warm weather approaches, we ask that you watch for all the cyclists, children, and people! Be safe and have fun!
Warmly,
Lincoln Elementary Family Teacher Partnership
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Matt Scolan has been named the recipient of the 2025 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Baseball Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
A senior from Downers Grove, Ill. (South), Scolan is majoring in finance and sustains a 3.81 grade point average. He was selected the 2024 NCAA Division III Baseball Academic All-America® of the Year, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Scolan is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Whitewater’s Dean’s List numerous semesters. He was a UW-Whitewater Chancellor Scholar Athlete this year.
Scolan was tabbed the WIAC Kwik Trip Position Player of the Year this season and received the award for the second consecutive year. He is a three-time All-WIAC first team selection helped UW-Whitewater win four conference titles and three tournament championships in his career. Scolan received All-America First Team honors a year ago from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and D3baseball.com. He is a two-time ABCA All-Region honoree, claiming third team recognition in 2023 and first team accolades in 2024.
Scolan owns the conference career record in runs scored, and holds the program record for career at-bats, hits, and home runs. In 2024, he set single-season program marks with 228 at-bats, 81 runs scored, 92 hits and 78 RBI.
Scolan has provided community service at Helping Hand in Illinois.
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s Tucker Bouche (Sr., Oconto Falls, Wis./Oconto Falls); UW-Oshkosh’s Mason Kirchberg (Sr., DeForest, Wis. /DeForest); UW-Platteville’s Brady Hoppert (Sr., New Berlin, Wis./Martin Luther); UW-Stevens Point’s Colton Martell (Sr., Sussex, Wis./Hamilton); and UW-Stout’s Justin Sedin (Sr., Poplar, Wis./Northwestern).
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach. He served as UW-Stout’s athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
Editor’s note: Source – WIAC website
Update 5/14/25 @ 11 p.m.: UW-W Women’s Softball has its first game in the championship on Thursday, May 15 at 10 a.m. CDT. They play Penn College and livestream may be found here.
The Warhawk softball team, will make its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament starting Thursday, May 15, in Cleveland, Ohio.
UW-Whitewater (35-6 overall) will make its 25th appearance in the national tournament as an NCAA Division III member. The team takes on Penn College in its first game on Thursday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Central Time at the four-team Cleveland regional, which is being hosted by Case Western Reserve University.
The Warhawks claimed an at-large bid to the tournament after winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship for the third time in the last five years. UW-Whitewater reached the semifinals of the conference tournament last week in Whitewater.
Key points for the Whitewater area: We are in the area that has a higher risk for damaging winds, damaging hail, and tornadoes. The peak intensity is expected between 4-7 p.m. on Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office, “There continues to be a risk for severe thunderstorms across most of southern Wisconsin on Thursday, with a risk for very large hail, tornadoes, and high winds. Initial storm development is expected between 2 PM and 4 PM, with peak intensity and storm coverage between 4 PM and 7 PM. Storms are expected to move east of the area after 8 PM.
Uncertainty remains regarding how south severe thunderstorms develop on Thursday, with the higher storm coverage expected north of the US Highway 18 corridor. While coverage may be more sparse south of this area, these more isolated storms may be more intense.
By Marcia James
You already have read the article about the Madison Brass Band performing at Whitewater High School’s Auditorium this Saturday night at 7 p.m. But the story doesn’t end there. In the band are Dr. Don Deal and his former student, Griffin James, a Whitewater High School graduate–1999.
Griffin plays euphonium, Don’s instrument, and when Griffin was a student in the Whitewater School District, he was blessed with having many fine music instructors including Christine Hayes, John Tuinstra, and Don Deal.
Don received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his mentor was John Stevens, who later became Griffin’s major professor and father-in-law!
Don and Griffin have collaborated on several projects. For instance, when Griffin is unavailable to lead his polka band, Don substitutes.
Griffin is the high school band director for the Baraboo School District. He is also the UW-Sauk County, Platteville, and Baraboo Community Band Director. His wife, the former Katie Stevens, is the choir director for the Baraboo School District.
Don and Griffin hope to see you this Saturday!
Fly the United States Flag at Half-Staff on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 11 through May 17, 2025, is Police Week. May 15, 2025, is Peace Officers Memorial Day.
On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we honor our brave officers who serve on the front lines to protect our families, safeguard our communities, and shoulder a burden of responsibility that most Americans cannot fathom. This week and always, we honor the courageous men and women serving in law enforcement and memorialize those who sacrificed their lives defending the thin blue line.
Obituaries
Michael “Mike” J. Higgins, age 69, a lifelong resident of Whitewater, passed away May 13, 2025, at home. He was born May 15, 1955, in Fort Atkinson, the son of Merwyn “Mert” and Mary Ann (Krause) Higgins. He attended Whitewater schools and was a long-time mechanic at Fero’s Auto Repair, enjoying lunches at Rick’s at his reserved table. He retired after many years of service of the Whitewater Fire and Rescue Departments as Chief. He enjoyed spending time up north at his property hunting. He leaves behind long-time love of his life, Jody Buckingham and kids, Sherry (Al Jr.) Lemke … Read more
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Susan (Sue) Rhoda Schlough (nee Smith) was born August 11, 1936, in Barron, WI to Daniel and Ella Smith. The second of six siblings born during the Depression years, family-life was a meager and frugal experience, where Sue gained first-hand experience in making best use of all resources to meet the needs of a large family, which served her well in other life endeavors. During Sue’s teenage years, three significant events occurred that would become the foundation of her life’s work and dedication. The first of these events was choosing to become a Methodist, joining her local First United Methodist … Read more
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Jerry Wayne “Gorbs” GorbyDecember 8, 1942 – May 4, 2025 Jerry Wayne Gorby, affectionately known as “Gorbs,” passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 8, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jerry brought joy, humor, and boundless energy to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn Gorby, his daughters Tricia Gorby and Tina Jones (Paul Jones), and his treasured grandchildren: Ciara, Sydney, and Donovan Jones, and Aysha and Kai Knoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Harold Gorby, and his brother, Douglas … Read more
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Mary Karen Erikson, 83, of Eagle, WI passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at her home. Karen was born on February 10, 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana the daughter of Richard and Neta (McGuire) Stockholm. She moved to Wisconsin with her family and graduated from Whitewater High School. Karen continued her schooling at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she obtained a degree in Education. After undergraduate school, Karen obtained her Master’s in Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Karen worked at Mukwonago High School for over 30 years as a math teacher, retiring in 1998. … Read more
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Janice Kay Brokmeier of Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, at Rainbow Hospice in Johnson Creek. Jan was born on June 7, 1942, in Stanford, Illinois to James Lloyd Smith and Eithel Amelia Ingram Smith. Jan moved to Wisconsin in December of 1955 with her parents and three of her brothers. She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1960. Jan met Robert Joseph Brokmeier on March 13, 1958. Shortly after they met, they were married on August 26, 1961, at the First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. They had three children and resided … Read more
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Dean Chris Dunne, 69, Fort Atkinson, formerly of Whitewater passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Dean was born on May 4, 1955 in Chicago, IL to Chris and Ann (Wagner) Dunne. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1973. Dean enjoyed fishing, camping and was a good water-skier in the day. He and his family moved to Las Vegas in 1980. Dean worked in property maintenance in Las Vegas for over 20 years. He is survived by his children Nicholas (Amber) Dunne, Fort Atkinson, Linsey (Scott) Angione, Las Vegas, Chris (Kristyn) Dunne, Las … Read more
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Kenneth Dale Semrau, 74, of Whitewater, passed away April 26, 2025, in Winterhaven, Fl. Kenneth was born to Donna and Garhart Semrau on February 6th, 1951, in Marinette, WI. Kenneth married Kristy Pfeifer on May 6, 1972. They had two beautiful children Chad and Nicole and five wonderful grandchildren and lots of fur-babies. That made his world complete. Ken retired from Nestle in 2012 and enjoyed retirement by spending his summers at Riverbend Resort in Watertown, WI and the winter in Winterhaven, FL. “Kenny G.” was known for his loving and playful personality. His family was always first and foremost. … Read more
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Bruce E. LaBansky, 75, Whitewater died on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Alden Estates in Jefferson, WI. Bruce was born on November 28, 1949 in Sauk County, WI to Clarence and Velma (Nelson) LaBansky. He graduated from Mount Horeb High School and received his bachelor’s degree from UW Stevens Point. Faith, family and friends were very important to him. Bruce moved to Whitewater in 1980 where he raised his 3 sons Nelsen, Nathanial, and Nicholas. Bruce was an avid golfer, an outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of all things nature, a sports fan (particularly the Bucks, Brewers and Packers). Family … Read more
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Dr. Holly J. Humphrey November 28, 1956 – April 17, 2025 Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, led the Pritzker School of Medicine through a period of transformative growth that saw the school rise to a place among the nation’s elite institutions of medical education, emerge as a powerhouse of scholarship and discovery, and become a pioneer in efforts to diversify the field of medicine. One of the nation’s most prominent and innovative leaders in medical education, her voice and influence made an immeasurable impact on the field and countless mentees throughout her career. Dr. Humphrey, who served for 15 years as Pritzker’s … Read more
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John Rivers, 61, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his wife by his side. Born on March 10, 1964, in Milwaukee, WI, to Bernie and MaryAnne (Sommers) Rivers Jr., John lived a life defined by perseverance and purpose. A 1982 graduate of East Troy High School, John spent more than 30 years as a dedicated truck driver. One of his proudest accomplishments came later in life when, at the age of 50, he returned to school and earned his bachelor’s degree while continuing to work full … Read more
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