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Today is Monday, June 22, 2026
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The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is hosting two artmaking classes for children during the month of May. Maker Club is for ages 5-12 and will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m. This month, the project is painting wooden signs. A snack will be served.
For children ages 2-6, Little Makers will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. This month, the project will be decorating cardboard tubes and creating sculptures. The class allows children to explore and experiment with different art materials, tools, and techniques which helps develop their fine motor skills, critical thinking, social/emotional development, and more.
Both events will be held in the library’s Community Room and are free and open to the public. The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782. For a full listing of the library’s events, visit whitewaterlibrary.org.
A Proclamation on Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2024
Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe. Being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay……
This year, we also honor our Nation’s law enforcement families, who serve and sacrifice alongside their loved ones. Every day, they summon courage as their loved ones put on their badges and leave for work, praying for their safe return home. To those who have lost a loved one who served, I know that no memorial can fill the void left in your heart. But I hope you find solace in knowing that their memory lives on through you, the community they served, and all those that they inspired through their example. Our Nation will never forget their sacrifice.
Last year, I bestowed six law enforcement officers with the Medal of Valor for going to unimaginable lengths to protect their fellow citizens. They exemplified a selflessness of character and a bravery that inspires. On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, let us show our gratitude for all the women and men of our Nation’s law enforcement community, who make extraordinary sacrifices every day. Let us honor the memory of those who have fallen in service to their fellow Americans. Let us recommit to supporting the people in uniform and their families, who ensure the safety of our communities all across the Nation.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” and the week in which it falls as “Police Week.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2024, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities and salute our Nation’s brave law enforcement officers and remember their peace officer brothers and sisters who have given their last full measure of devotion in the line of duty. I also call on the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
Editor’s note: This will be Karen Tordera’s last concert as Choral Director at Whitewater High School. Tordera is retiring after 37 years of teaching, 29 years of which has been in the Whitewater Unified School District. She has taught at Lakeview, Lincoln, Washington, and the high school.
The Whitewater High School Choirs and A Cappella Ensembles will present their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00 pm. Music awards will also be presented at this concert with a reception to follow. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the James M. Stewart Auditorium, We hope you can join us for an evening of song and celebration!
Whitewater and Delavan-Darien soccer played a conference game on Monday, May 13. The game ended with Delavan winning 1-0, the lone goal being scored by Anna Smith (32’). The two teams will play again next week in the Rock Valley Conference Tournament.
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach
mblain@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Bob Mischka
TICKETS
$10 – Adults
$8 – Senior Citizens/Students
PARKING
Lot 22 and Lot 24
GAME SCHEDULE
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
| Friday May 17 | Time | Live Links | Results |
| Game 1 – (#1) UW-Whitewater vs (#4) Crown | 11:00 AM | Stats | Stream | |
| Game 2 – (#2) Centre vs (#3) Cal Lutheran | 2:30 PM | Stats | Stream | |
| Saturday, May 18 | |||
| Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 | 11:00 AM | Stats | Stream | |
| Game 4 – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 | 2:30 PM | Stats | Stream | |
| Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs Loser Game 4 | 6:00 PM | Stats | Stream | |
| Sunday, May 19 | |||
| Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs Winner Game 5 | 11:00 AM | Stats | Stream | |
| Game 7 (if necessary) | Stats | Stream |
Over the past two weeks, WHS students in Dual Credit/PIE Biology 142 had the opportunity to conduct an observational field study of Red Wing Blackbird populations in the Whitewater area! Students traveled to the UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve with Mrs. Lindsey Taylor and Mr. Shane Cullian, and collected data on the behavioral ecology of Red Wing Blackbirds.
For those not familiar, those little guys can be pretty fierce when it comes to guarding their nests! Giving students the opportunity to collect geographical and behavioral data to determine their territories is an experience they won’t soon forget!
Article and Photos Submitted by Shane Cullian
Whitewater High School Biology Teacher
scullian@wwusd.org
Whitewater High School played the role of host for the 2024 Rock Valley Conference Track and Field Meet which featured all 11 teams from both divisions. When the dust settled, the teams finished in 2nd for the boys and 11th for the girls.
On the boys’ side, Ty Bucholtz was the first to claim a medal with a killer 110H hurdle final. Three stepping his final flight of hurdles, he thrusted himself into third by the finish line and earned his first ever medal as a freshman. Not to be outdone, next up was Traysen Thompson who broke 11 seconds for the first time in the 100-meter dash final running 10.99 and capturing the individual title. Not long after, Jack Hefty raced to his first of three conference titles on the day by winning the 1600 and closing in under 60 seconds for his final lap to stop the clock in 4:28.91. The track was still smoldering when the boys’ 4×200 stepped on the track and blazed to a victory in 1:32.97. This relay consisted of Traysen Thomason, Nate Black, Keenan Sheffield, and Quincy Boudreau. If the track wasn’t hot enough, Ethan Dugan was next up in his premiere event, the 400m dash, and was able to handle the field and take the crown in 50.22. Akamion McHenry placed 4th and Curtis Rossmiller placed 8th in the same event. Jack Hefty stepped back onto the track after a few events and was able to earn his second title on the day to win the 800 in 2:01.98, and teammate Nate Holden was fifth in the same race. Ethan Dugan stepped into the blocks for the second time and blazed a trail of fire behind him as he stopped the clock at 22.36 and also claimed his second title on the day in the 200m dash. In the same event, Trayson Thomason took 3rd in his final race of the day and Akamion McHenry placed 6th. Xavier Zei ran a gutsy race, much of it by himself running solo in 3rd and was only passed by one runner and earned a fourth, and final medal, in the 3200. His time was 10:36.91. The final track event for the boys was the 4×400 relay. With the walk-up song of Iron Man by Black Sabbath blaring throughout the facility, the boys got pumped to leave it all out there and did just that. The relay team of Quincy Boudreau, Jack Hefty, Curtis Rossmiller, and Ethan Dugan set a new conference meet record in their win by stopping the clock at 3:25.75. The previous mark was set by Jefferson in 1980. It was the oldest record in the books.
In the field events, Jaylyn Ewing placed 8th in the discus and 4th in the high jump. Quinton O’Toole secured fifth place in the pole vault. Three Whippets scored in the long jump by placing 5-6-7. Traysen Thomason just edged out his teammate by .75″ to lead the trio. Quincy Boudreau was 6th and Nate Black was 7th. In the triple jump, David Rubio placed 5th with a jump of 39′ 3″.
Ethan Dugan was named the male track athlete of the meet based on his performance in the meet. This is the first Whippet to earn this honor since Brett Harms earned it in 2014 when he won the 800, 1600, and 3200 events.
On the girls’ side, A’lani Ross earned a 6th place finish in the finals of the 100 with a time of 13.45. Mady Hefty ran a lifetime PR and placed 8th in the 1600 with a time of 5:53.64. The 4×2 stepped on the track and earned a fifth-place finish with a time of 1:51.95. This relay consisted of A’lani Ross, Sydney Schilt, Ava Alvarado, and Calli Grosinske. The same relay, just in a slightly different order, came back for the 4×100 and secured a top 3 finish by .01 with a hard lean by Sydney Schilt. The relay order was Calli Grosinske, A’lani Ross, Ava Alvardo, and Sydney on the anchor leg. Carley Boudreau placed 7th in the 300 hurdles with a time of 55.27. Athena Soto placed 6th in the 800 with a time of 2:35.63. Sydney Schilt blazed her way down the homestretch in the 200-meter dash to stop the clock in 27.21 and took the bronze medal position. To wrap up the track events, the girls’ 4 x 400 relay of Athena Soto, Calli Grosinske, Carley Boudreau, and Emy Islas took 7th with a time of 4:32.61. Placing in the field events, Myialynn Cobb and Makayla Bazeley took 4th and 6th in the pole vault. They cleared 8′ 0″ and 7′ 6″ respectively. A’lani Ross placed in the triple jump with a leap of 31′ 1.25″ and took 7th overall.
Full results can be found here: https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/554326/results/all
Next up the the team will be at the JV conference meet on Tuesday followed by the WIAA Regional on Monday, May 20th at Delavan.
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Obituaries
Marion Jauch Burrows (Feb. 2, 1930 – June 5, 2026) Her sparkling eyes, warm laugh, and generous ways were gifts Marion brought into this world, touching family members and friends alike over the ninety-six years of her life. She was born and raised in Lombard, IL, and in the course of her life lived with her husband and growing family in Abilene, TX, St. David’s, PA, Arkadelphia, AR, Ada, OK, and Colorado Springs, CO, before settling in Whitewater, WI, in 1965. Generosity of heart, compassion toward those in need in and beyond her community, and an unwavering commitment to fairness … Read more
Patricia “Pat” Lynn Bailey, age 70, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026 with her daughter by her side. Pat was born February 21, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to John and Ruth (Hudock) Prentice. After a brief time in Ann Arbor, the Prentice family moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where Pat grew up as part of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater community, where her father served as University Registrar. Pat attended the University School and later graduated from UW Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education. Although she did not pursue teaching, she built a meaningful career in Human … Read more
Gemelino Paris Esperante, 83, long time resident of Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, June 4th, 2026. He was born on January 10, 1943, to his late father and mother, Evaristo and Carmen in Spain. In 1973 he moved to the United States as a sheep herder. On August 21, 1981, he was united in marriage to Cyndie Esperante in Colorado. Gemelino also worked in Mining and construction for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, raising sheep and growing things in his garden, and flowers. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife … Read more
Mary Ann Warner died peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. Her physical heart failed, but her actual, loving heart never did. Ann was born June 28, 1939 to Mary and Charles Kearns in Iowa. She moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin and graduated with many dear friends in the class of 1957. Ann married John Warner on September 19, 1959. They lived in Whitewater, Sturgis Michigan, and finally settled in Janesville where they built a beautiful life and raised their family. Together, they ran a business, traveled, played cards, and enjoyed their lives. When they became … Read more
Patricia Ann Jacobson (Bureau), age 81, of Whitewater, WI, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI. Born on September 2, 1944, in Marquette, MI, to the late Donald and Margaret Bureau, Pat grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She graduated from Graveraet High School, attended Michigan State University, and later earned her bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University. Pat dedicated her professional life to shaping young minds, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher in both Flint, MI, and Whitewater, WI. At the heart of Pat’s life was a beautiful, … Read more
In loving memory of Lois Lauritzen, age 92, who passed away on June 1, 2026 at Lakewood Memory Care in Brookfield. Lois led an active life full of devotion to family and friends. Born July 14th, 1933 in Silvis, IL, daughter of Harry and Elsie Wilson, she grew up in the Quad Cities with older brother Harry Wilson Jr. Lois graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a degree in physical education. She met her husband Paul Lauritzen on the college tennis team. Their marriage on June 12th, 1955 lasted 59 years until Paul’s death on September 26th, … Read more
Donald Walter Triebold passed on to his eternal home on May 21, 2026. Don was born on April 23, 1935, in Evanston, IL, to the late Frederick W. and Mildred (nee Stecher) Triebold. Through his teen years, Don lived and worked on the family’s dairy farm, where he developed a life-long work ethic. His first eight years of education were in a one-room country schoolhouse, in which all eight grades were taught by one teacher. He graduated from Whitewater City High School in 1953 and then graduated from UW Whitewater in 1958 with a degree in Business Education. He continued his education, and earned a Master’s … Read more
William Kincaid Davis, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, May 19 at Agrace Hospice Center in Fitchburg. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Madison, Indiana, the second son of Salvation Army Officers Agnes (Dixon) and William C. Davis. He attended several schools in Indiana and Illinois, including University of Illinois Experimental High School (Champaign), and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UW-Eau Claire in 1964 and his master’s degree from UW-Whitewater in 1972. He had an expansive career in education, beginning as an English teacher in Whitehall, Thornton Township (IL) and … Read more
Magdalene “Maggie” Stetter (nee Fritz), 79, of Whitewater, Wisconsin passed from this life onto the next on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born on January 16, 1947, to the late John and Mary (Presser) Fritz in St. Stefan, Austria. Maggie immigrated from Austria with her parents and brother, became a US citizen, and grew up and attended school in West Allis, WI and then graduated with a teaching degree from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. Maggie served as a substitute, English, and German language teacher in the Whitewater, Elkhorn, Delavan, and Palmyra schools and at Divine Word Seminary. Maggie … Read more
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
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