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Soccer Scores 12-0 Victory

April 20, 2022

The Whitewater Whippet Girls’ Soccer Team hosted Milwaukee High School of the Arts on Tuesday, April 19.

Sophia Garcia

The Whippets won by a score of 12-0, with goals from Sophia Garcia (1’, 6’), Mayte Navejas (4’, 40’), Teona Krivykh (9’), Andrea Alcala (13’), Adriana Dixon (14’), Belle Peterson (16’), Isabella Aranda (18’), Michelle Abarca (22’), Vivi Hauck (29’), and Caelyn Caputo (30’).

Marina Linos played in goal for the Whippets.

Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Baseball Splits Doubleheader

April 18, 2022

On Friday, April 15th, the Whippet Baseball Team hosted Big Foot for a doubleheader.

Blake Zajdel

The first game saw the Whippets fall 3-0. Marcus DePorter pitched six strong innings. The Whippets could only manage to record two hits against a very tough lefty for Big Foot.

The second game saw the Whippets get their first win on the year with a 7-5 victory. Wyatt Nickels pitched a phenomenal game with Marc Jones coming in and closing the game out on the mound. Offensively, the Whippets broke out with 10 hits while only striking out five times.

The Whippets will be in action again on Tuesday, April 19th, when they host the Evansville Blue Devils. Come on out for a 4:45 p.m. start time, and cheer on your Whippets.

Article Submitted by Michael Hookstead
Whitewater High School Head Baseball Coach
mhookstead@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Softball Loses Close Game to East Troy

April 16, 2022

The Whippet softball team lost to East Troy 11-10, on April 14, in a game played in the cold, windy weather. Both teams fought through the elements and put on a good show for everyone in attendance.

Gaby Kubicz

Whitewater scored five runs in the top of the first inning to take an early lead. East Troy scored three runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the third inning to take a 7-6 lead. Going into the seventh inning down 10-7, the Whippets rallied for three runs to tie the score. In the bottom of the seventh, the first batter for East Troy got hit by a pitch. That runner then went to second on a wild pitch and then got to third on a groundout. With one out, Jenna Pope snagged a hard groundball at first, touched the base and threw home. On a close play at home, East Troy’s runner slid under the tag for the winning run.

Falyn Krahn led the Whippets with 3 hits and 3 runs. Makaylyn Benes added 2 hits, including a double and a run batted in.

Jenna Pope pitched the first four innings for Whitewater, while Gaby Kubicz came in to finish the game.

Article Submitted by Ron Sdano
Whitewater High School Head Softball Coach
rsdano@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski Highlights Over $80,000 for WUSD Libraries at Lakeview

April 13, 2022
Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the office of the state treasurer.
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski visited Lakeview Elementary School on April 12 to present the Whitewater Unified School District’s (WUSD) record-breaking annual distribution of over $80,000 from the Common School Fund. Treasurer Godlewski was joined by Senator Janis Ringhand, Representative Don Vruwink, State Librarian Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, and WUSD and community leaders for the event.

This visit comes after State Treasurer Godlewski, who serves as Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) and oversees the $1.3 billion Common School Fund, announced that the BCPL’s effective management of the fund has resulted in another record-high distribution of $40.6 million for public schools in every corner of the state. Whitewater Unified School District will receive $81,186 to focus on funding books and technology.

“Our kids are our future, and I am proud that the diversified investment strategy of the BCPL has provided this record-breaking distribution to make sure they have what they need to thrive in our public schools. Despite the economic challenges of the past few years, the BCPL has been able to invest wisely to provide these critical resources for our K-12 public school libraries. Whether it’s addressing the digital divide or building literacy skills, it’s great to see how these funds are making a difference,” said Godlewski.

The Common School Fund is a crucial source of revenue for school libraries, and this distribution provides the sole source of funding for over 90% of public school libraries. Earnings from the BCPL’s investment portfolio are distributed annually to every public school district in Wisconsin to enhance students’ educational experience and to help them gain access to books and technology, which are key to their success. 

“Ensuring our students have access to the books and technology they need is essential to helping them reach their full academic potential,” said Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Libraries and Technology and State Librarian Tessa Michaelson Schmidt. “The Department of Public Instruction is grateful for the BCPL’s wise stewardship of the Common School Fund, which provides these essential dollars to public school libraries across Wisconsin.”

On her Facebook page, Godlewski added, “I also want to give a special shout out to Lakeview’s Library Leaders, who dressed as their favorite book characters and were excellent hosts!”

“Whitewater Unified School District is excited for the opportunities that this $81,186 in literacy-focused funding from the Common School Fund and State Treasurer Godlewski will bring. This funding will support and cultivate students’ love of reading, and support increasing the use of technology in our District’s libraries. New digital platforms along with multimodal learning are daily occurrences in our libraries engaging our wide variety of learners. Our community is ever-changing and it is our role as educators to meet those changes head-on and provide for our families. The Common School Funds provided by the State of Wisconsin help us provide these new and improved opportunities for all of our students,” said Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty.


The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), chaired by State Treasurer Godlewski, oversees $1.3 billion in state trust funds. This includes the Common School Fund, which makes annual distributions that fund books and technology for every school district in the state. As part of her role as board chair, the State Treasurer has prioritized Wisconsin investments and has integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into the investment strategy. One of her first actions as board chair was to roll back a climate change gag rule which prevented staff from discussing climate change and how it impacted investments.
In today’s low-interest-rate environment and with the uncertainty of the financial market, this level of distribution would not be possible if the Trust Fund remained invested solely in loans and bonds, as required under statute from 1848 through 2015. The updated investment strategy has led to the diversification of the Common School Fund that added millions to future distributions and will continue to pay dividends to Wisconsin schoolchildren for generations to come. In the last biennium, the BCPL has made $570 million in new portfolio investments, which includes $165 million for financing essential economic development, infrastructure, and other community projects and purchases in Wisconsin.
 

Soccer Downs Janesville Parker 7-2

April 13, 2022

Whitewater traveled to Janesville Parker to play a non-conference match on Tuesday, April 12.

Vivi Hauck

The Whippets won over the Vikings by a score of 7-2.

Whitewater goals came from Natalia Sortino (2’), Teona Krivykh (32’), Vivi Hauck (40’), Mayte Navejas (42’, 55’), Adriana Dixon (57’ – PK), and Caelyn Caputo (71’). Parker’s goals were scored by Emma Dyer and Jaylynn Basic.

Whippet goalkeeper Marina Linos had three saves for Whitewater. Jeanne Pitteloud played in goal for Janesville. 

Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Whippet Softball Defeats Evansville

April 10, 2022

The Whippets played host to Evansville in a conference game this past Saturday, April 9, and came out on top 15-9 for their first win of the season.

Jenna Pope

The game went back and forth as Whitewater took a 3-run lead in the first inning, only to see Evansville tie it up in the second inning. Evansville went up 5-3 in the top of the third, but the Whippets plated two runs to tie it at 5-5. Whitewater scored 3 runs in the 4th inning to go up 8-5, but Evansville scored 3 runs in the fifth to tie it at 8-8. Evansville took a 9-8 lead in the 6th, but Whitewater blew the game open by scoring seven runs in the bottom of the 6th to complete the scoring.

Jenna Pope, Falyn Krahn, and Lexi Juoni led the way with three hits each. Shyan Lesperance and Cali Kopecky contributed two hits each. Krahn drove in four runs while Gaby Kubicz drove in three runs.

Jenna Pope pitched 4 1/3 strong innings, while Gaby Kubicz went the final 2 2/3 innings to get the win.

The Whippets play a conference game at home against Big Foot on Tuesday, April 12th. Game time is 5:00.

Article Submitted by Ron Sdano
Whitewater High School Head Softball Coach
rsdano@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

DFI and DATCP Host Free Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop on April 21

April 10, 2022

Editor’s Note: The following information was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced they are hosting a free online student loan debt relief workshop on April 21. The workshop will help student loan borrowers prepare for the end of the federal student loan payment pause, which the Biden administration recently extended from May 1 through August 31.

“With student loan payments resuming in September, it is more important than ever for borrowers to explore their student loan repayment options and make a plan for repayment today,” said DFI Secretary-designee Cheryll Olson-Collins. “Borrowers should take time now while payments are still paused to look into repayment options such as income-driven repayment plans, which may lower monthly payments, and check their eligibility for student loan forgiveness. Not waiting until the last minute to make a plan is important and will help ensure a smooth return to repayment.”

“As student loan payments resume, borrowers should watch for dishonest offers of loan forgiveness or savings from consolidation from debt relief scammers,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Borrowers with questions should attend this informational workshop to learn more about the many resources consumers can access without paying any fees.”

Join the “Student Loan Debt Relief Workshop: How to Avoid Scams, Use Free Repayment Tools and Save Money” on April 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. by registering for free here.

During this workshop, student loan borrowers will learn about current student loan debt relief scams to avoid and how to use the free Wisconsin Student Loan Repayment Tool, created by Savi. Savi’s student loan experts will answer questions about student loan repayment and explain how their tool can help borrowers navigate the complexities of federal student loan repayment plans, forgiveness programs, and lowering student loan payments. Using Savi’s tool may help borrowers reduce their monthly payments and optimize their repayment plans. On average, users of this tool save $156 each month and have a lifetime savings of $28,308. Student loan borrowers can find additional free repayment resources on DFI’s LookForwardWI.gov website.

DFI and DATCP encourage student loan borrowers to create a repayment plan now to help ensure a smooth return to repayment and to beware of fraudsters taking advantage of this transition period. Borrowers with questions are encouraged to call the Wisconsin Student Loan Help Hotline at (833) 589-0750 or contact Federal Student Aid. Student loan borrowers who have been the victim of a scam should report it by filing a complaint online, emailing datcphotline@wisconsin.gov, or calling DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.

Girls’ Soccer Season Off to a Cold Start

April 9, 2022

Whitewater hosted Janesville Craig in a chilly Girls’ Soccer game on Tuesday, April 5. Despite holding off the Craig Cougars for nearly 80 minutes, several late goals caused the Whippets to lose 6-0.

On Friday, April 8, the Whippets hosted Watertown Luther Prep in a very snowy game. The game ended in a tie, 1-1, with the Whitewater goal scored by sophomore Mayte Navejas on a penalty kick.

Girls’ Soccer vs Craig

Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Obituaries

Obituary: Richard Allen Splitter, 80, of MO

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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Obituary: Edward W. Hamilton, 83, of Davenport, IA

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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Obituary: Verne Paul Schrank, 94

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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Obituary: Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss, 94

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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Obituary: Raymond Miles, 96

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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Obituary: Connie Jean Sukowski

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, 88

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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Obituary: James Robert Trier (Jimbo), 89

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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Memorial Celebration: Martin Jack Martinelli, 64

Editor’s note: Martin Martinelli’s obituary may be found here.

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Obituary: Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56

Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Oct 31, 2024. He was born in Fort Atkinson, WI, on November 14, 1967 to Ponciano and Blanca Rodriguez. He graduated from Whitewater High School and continued his education at Gateway, earning a degree in marketing. He had a love for helping people and worked in healthcare for over 30 years as a CNA.  He enjoyed shooting darts with his lifelong friends: Robert Bramley, Brian Quass, and Todd Piper.  To know Manny, you knew he had a love for his Washington Redskins, now known as the Commanders.  He loved to play … Read more

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