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On Saturday, February 17, the Whitewater Girls’ Wrestling Team traveled to Campbellsport to participate in the Girls’ Wrestling Sectional, all hoping to end up on the top of the podium in their weight class to punch their ticket to the Girls’ State Wrestling Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison.
It was a great day filled with lots of excitement for the Whippet fans and the highs of highs and the lows of lows for the coaches as the day progressed. The day started outstanding for the Whippets with all 8 of the girls reaching the semi-finals. Starting the day off was Silvia Harris (107) who was competing against a girl she had lost to twice this season. She did not let that bother her as she was able to secure a pin. Just moments later Giulia Ristagno (126) drew a girl she had lost to 3 times this year. Coaches just told her that she was getting closer each time and to have confidence. Giulia came out with the first takedown putting the girl to her back and secured the pin. Also getting a first-round pin was Katie Rojas-Reyes (120) who wrestled very well in her opening match of the tournament.
The semi-final round was a lot of fun for the girls and the Whippet fans as there were lots of arms raised. At one point, the Whippets had a girl on their back on two mats right next to each other. Giulia Ristagno and A’lani Ross both got pins within five seconds of each other to really get the crowd in our section roaring! A’lani started her match showing just how strong she is by lifting the girl up on the edge of the mat, bringing her inbounds, and eventually pinning her. Also getting pins for the Whippet Girls were Ema Aranda (100), Lauren Buehler (114), and Marianna Kubicz (185). That put the team with 6 pins and 6 finalists to close out the round. Coming up short in the round included Silvia Harris who wrestled an extremely good girl who ended up easily winning her weight class. Also coming up short was Katie Rojas-Reyes. falling as well to the girl who ended up winning her weight class.
The finals started off very well for Whitewater as Ema Aranda battled back from a deficit but stayed patient and ended up pinning her opponent in the second period to secure her ticket to state. It was a very cool scene to see the first ones coming off the mat were her sister and Coach Gomez, her uncle, to celebrate the achievement.
Lauren Buehler followed, making fast work of her opponent with a 22 second takedown to secure her second trip to the state tournament. She knew coming in it was going to be a tough weight class, and it was exciting for the coaches to see her just push through and wrestle very well with two pins on the day.
Myia Cobbs had an interesting day as our 3rd girl to qualify for the state tournament. On Friday night we had prepared for a couple of girls whom she had seen before and did have success against but just wanted to clean things up for them. When weigh ins came around, neither girl was present and Myia got a default to the state tournament! She was excited, however did want to be on the mat pinning girls like her teammates!
Unfortunately, there were the lows coaches experience as the Whippets dropped two tough matches in the championship where they were close matches but came up just short. Giulia Ristagno (126), A’lani Ross (132), and Marianna Kubicz (185) each lost in the finals and are considered alternates for the state tournament with their runner-up finish.
Trackwrestling does keep unofficial team scores, and the Whitewater Girls were in first place at the end of the tournament! Well done, ladies!
The three qualifiers will compete in Madison at the Kohl Center at 3:00 on Thursday afternoon, February 22, in a sixteen-person bracket, looking to climb into the top 6 in the state for their weight classes.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Kenzie Schimming
Updated 2/21/14 @ 5:15 p.m. to add School Board special meeting on 2/22 and to add the agenda for the Parks & Recreation Board on 2/21.
Whitewater Unified School District Legislative Breakfast – Monday @ 8:00 a.m.
Whitewater High School Library, 534 South Elizabeth Street
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes meeting with state legislators to discuss Mental Health Supports & Special Education Funding, 2023 Senate Bill 973, Multilingual Services Funding, State Funding for Post-Secondary Options for Students, ACT 20 Timeframe/Implementation.
Irvin L. Young Library Board of Trustees – Monday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes library building project update.
Library Community Room, 431 West Center St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87682878385?pwd=ckcrZXdDNzlCZmk4aWVqSmh1V3hNQT09
Telephone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 876 8287 8385
Passcode: 02376455
City of Whitewater Common Council Meeting – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session to discuss Negotiation of Aquatic and Fitness Center Agreement with School
District to be followed by open session, Discussion and possible action regarding staffing study proposals received by Police Dept
for RFP, Discussion and possible action to go out to RFP for building inspection services, Discussion and possible action regarding awarding contracts for Ann Street and Fremont Street reconstruction, Forest Avenue reconstruction, North Fremont Street reconstruction, and Vanderlip pumping station and force main construction.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81424094861?pwd=LGrzlYy6fqnIXD7F0dXIKfrOEbqv9g.6H62QjUP9dfbPsiz
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US
Webinar ID: 814 2409 4861
Passcode: 840852
City of Whitewater Parks & Recreation Board – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action regarding renaming East Gate Park and Discussion and possible action regarding long term rental of Starin Park Building to Immanuel Anglican Church.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84598753795?pwd=YnRGcW92N3hQY21Hek1aYjhIaUZTdz09
Meeting ID: 845 9875 3795
Passcode: 931339
Dial by your location
• +1 312 626 6799
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Special Meeting – Thursday @ 7:30 p.m.
Whitewater High School
534 South Elizabeth Street
Open session: High School Library
Closed session: Room 267
Agenda is to adjourn to closed session to discuss Board member’s allegations that district employees failed to adhere to District policies and conduct by a certain school board member, to be followed by open session for possible action on any matters discussed in closed session.
On Saturday, February 17, the Whitewater Wrestling Team traveled to Campbellsport with 9 individuals hoping to wrestle their way into the top 3 in their weight class and punch their ticket to the WIAA Individual State Wrestling tournament. I was a very busy day for the Whippets as there were also 8 girls competing vying for the championship and to also qualify. (Girls’ information is in a separate article.)
The end of the day showed the best performance the coaching staff has ever been a part of at the sectional wrestling tournament. At the end of the day, the Whippets found themselves in 2nd place as a team with the unofficial WIAA scores. Five of the nine wrestlers found themselves still competing in the last round, with four of the five securing victories and punching their ticket to the state tournament taking place at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Leading the way of Qualifiers was Jarvis Porcaro (120). Jarvis had a very tough opponent in the semi-finals but battled his way back in the wrestle-backs, defeating an opponent for the 4th time this season, which over the years has proven to be a difficult task. Jarvis then followed with a first period pin in the 3rd place match to secure his place in state. The crowd then got to witness Jarvis running into an unexpected Coach Sedano’s arms knocking him over!
Up next, Connor Friend was defeated by a big time throw in the semi-finals and had to wrestle his way back to 3rd place. Connor pinned his first opponent in quick fashion and then had to face a familiar foe whom he too defeated 3 times previously. This opponent is very strong and quick, so there was much nervousness for Coach Schimming. Connor was not going to be denied and pinned him in the second period. Connor finished the day 3-1 with three pins.
Odair Porras (150) had a very good day with only one hiccup in the semi-finals. Odair came out in the first match with lots of intensity, building a big lead in takedowns before securing a pin. In the wrestle-backs he also had a familiar foe but made quick work, pinning him in the second period. In the 3rd place match, Odair wrestled a young man who was very tough in the top position. Odair made sure to not stay on the bottom by getting three takedowns in the first period and piled on more in the 2nd period when he started to chip away at his opponent’s will and pinned him in the 3rd period. Because Odair did not wrestle the opponent who took 2nd he got a true second wrestle-back and continued wrestling well, winning 9-4 and securing a runner-up finish.
Rounding out the qualifiers was Sebastian Cuellar (165). Sebastian had a quick pin in the first round and in the semi-finals wrestled a familiar foe who we knew was extremely flexible and difficult to pin. Sebastian wrestled very smart and was able to secure a technical fall 18-3 for the win. Sebastian fell in the championship match to a solid student from Kewaskum. He did have to wrestle back to hold onto his second-place finish and did very well again, wrestling very intelligently both on his feet and on the mat. He held his position as a runner-up with an 11-3 victory.
Coming up just short was Payton Lyon (190) who pinned his first opponent in the first round. In the semi-finals he lost to the number 2 ranked student in the state, and he definitely showed us why this is his ranking! Payton was able to come back with a pin to go into the 3rd place match. Unfortunately, Payton came up just short of his state tournament berth, which was his goal coming into the season. Payton has nothing to be disappointed in. He had 33 wins on the year and has Conference Champion to his name. The coaches feel he is not done on the mat as he does have aspirations at the next level.
Also competing for the Whippets were Jasen Porras, Brady Friend, and Traysen Thomason. All three of these gentlemen wrestled their hearts out but were unable to extend their season. They have no reason to hang their heads as they all had a great season and all three will return next year to continue with or re-establish their goals.
All four wrestlers will compete at the Kohl Center on Thursday night, February 22, at 7:00.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Kenzie Schimming
Editor’s note: The following press release was received on February 19 from Larry Kachel, who currently serves as president of the Whitewater Unified School District School Board.
“Today I am announcing that I will not be seeking re-election for a position on the Whitewater Unified School Board. I apologize for the short notice, but as of early January I have been presented with a great opportunity to merge my Brookfield-based investment practice with another group, starting in 2025. Although I am not retiring for several years, the amount of work involved in a merger during 2024 and 2025 will be immense. I simply will not have time, nor can I honor a commitment, for three more years of service on the Board.
I will remain on the Board until my term expires in April of this year. Unfortunately, my name will still appear on the ballot. There are two seats up and two quality candidates are still running, so please give your support to incumbent Maryann Zimmerman and to Jeff Tortomasi.
I am proud to have had a small role in approving much needed math and reading curriculum changes to our district, among other things. The early results are quite positive. I have enjoyed the broad diversity of opinions held by all of our current board members and have especially enjoyed sitting in classrooms from time to time, watching our great teachers and staff work with our students.
It has been my pleasure serving the District the past three years.”
Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.
Governor Evers Visits Lincoln Elementary to Celebrate the Success of Multilingual Learners and Literacy Programming for all
Lincoln Elementary School welcomed Governor Tony Evers on Thursday, February 15. The Governor’s time was limited, so he was only able to visit one of the three elementary schools collectively implementing new literacy programming and practices aligned with the Science of Reading (SOR) and supporting our multilingual students. However, “It was an honor to have Governor Evers visit Lincoln Elementary and witness firsthand the incredible impact the programming and practice aligned with the Science of Reading program is making in our elementary schools,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of the Whitewater Unified School District. “Our staff have been instrumental in enhancing our student’s literacy skills and providing them with the foundation for lifelong learning. We appreciate the governor stopping by to share in this success.”
Since adopting the SOR program in the fall, all three elementary schools have seen notable advancements in student literacy outcomes. Recent data from the school’s Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills assessment (DIBELS) reveal positive trends in students’ foundational skills, including fluency and comprehension.
The DIBELS assessments, administered to elementary students in September 2023 as part of the transition to the SOR-aligned instructional model, serve as a benchmark for measuring progress in literacy development. Students underwent reassessment in January 2024, four months after the program’s implementation, to monitor the impact of the new SOR-aligned approach.
Members of Ferradermis, Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition Team, have been working tirelessly since learning of the 2024 game requirements at the season kickoff event on January 6. On Sunday, February 18, they were able to put their invention on a full field for the first time at the Sussex Week 0 Scrimmage at Sussex Hamilton High School.
The team’s robot this year measures 26×26 inches and weighs approximately 120 pounds. The drive train is a swerve drive, which allows the robot to go in any direction facing any position at any time. The game piece (an orange foam ring) is picked up from the ground using a 4-bar linkage intake, which is then placed into the shooter. The shooter is on an elevator and arm which allows it to rise up and down and rotate, giving the robot almost full control of the shooting and scoring positions.
In addition to playing practice matches at Sussex, members of Ferradermis were able to attend morning workshops for Dean’s List candidates, Impact presentation preparation, and match scouting ideas. During matches, students not in the pit or on the drive team were in the stands testing the scouting system the team will be using at competition.
Members of Ferradermis will leave for their first Regional event in Duluth on February 28. Two weeks later, they will be competing in Milwaukee at the Wisconsin Regional, and over Spring Break they will be in Chicago for the Midwest Regional. Each regional hosts 50-60 teams, and the Chicago event will feature teams from 6 countries and 10 states. Four teams from each regional will qualify for Championships in Houston in mid-April.
Are you a supporter of the robotics program in the Whitewater Unified School District? If so, consider joining an organizational meeting for the new WUSD Robotics Booster Club on Tuesday, February 20, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 301 at the high school. Enter through Door #38 for the meeting. The Booster Club’s goals are to find ways to help support FIRST Lego League Challenge programs in 4th and 5th grade, the new FIRST Tech Challenge Team forming at the middle school in the fall, and the Ferradermis FIRST Robotics Competition Team at the high school. For questions about the Booster Club, reach out to Sue Wildermuth at wilderms@uww.edu.
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch and Andrew O’Toole
Ferradermis FIRST Robotics Competition Team #6574
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Rich Grosse and Laura Masbruch
Chancellor Corey King and Provost John Chenoweth invite you to join this year’s UWW Inclusivity Forum. Prominent area alum will share company perspectives in a panel on Thursday, February 22, in the James R. Connor University Center Ballroom. The first forum from 10-11:30 a.m. is open to all, and the second forum scheduled for 1-2 p. m., is a student-focused forum.
The forum will feature panelists from Wisconsin businesses and organizations with focus on inclusivity in Wisconsin’s workplaces. Panelists include:
Steven Brown ’90, ’98, Vice President of Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Talent Acquisition, Molson Coors Beverage Company
Willie Jude II, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation
Jermaine Murry, Chief Diversity Officer, Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Katie Wesner, DEI Program Manager, Molson Coors Beverage Company
Shary Tran ’99, Global Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Generac Power Systems
Questions about the forum or logistics can be directed Diane Bahmann in the Provost’s Office at bahmannd@uww.edu or 262-472-1672.
Monday, February 19 is a federal holiday; consequently there will be no mail delivery. Some banks will also be closed.
From Wikipedia:
Presidents’ Day, officially Washington’s Birthday at the federal governmental level, is a holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is often celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States and, since 1879, has been the federal holiday honoring Founding Father George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first U.S. president.[1]
The day is an official state holiday in most states, with names including Washington’s Birthday, Presidents’ Day, President’s Day, Presidents Day, and Washington’s and Lincoln’s Birthday.[2] The various states use 15 different names. Depending upon the specific law, the state holiday may officially celebrate Washington alone, Washington and Abraham Lincoln, or some other combination of U.S. presidents (such as Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who was born in April).[2]
George Washington was born on February 22, 1732 (N.S.). Washington’s Birthday was celebrated on this date from 1879 until 1970. To give federal employees a three-day weekend, in 1968 the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved it to the third Monday in February.[3] The day soon became known as Presidents(‘) Day[4] (the presence and placement of the apostrophe varies) and provides an occasion to remember all the U.S. presidents, to honor Abraham Lincoln‘s and Washington’s birthdays together, or any single president of choice.[2]
As many states and cities followed suit, some states that had been celebrating Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 combined the two into Presidents Day. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, preserved the Union, abolished slavery, bolstered the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay.
Obituaries
Edith I. McElroy (nee Rye) passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on October 23, 1932, on her parents’ farm in Johnstown Township, Rock County, WI, the daughter of Ralph and Clara (Duoss) Rye. Edith graduated from Whitewater High School (class of 1950), The National Louis University – College of Education (class of 1954), in Evanston, IL, and pursued graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. In her undergraduate program, her clinical & student-teaching experiences were at Jane Addam’s Hull House Settlement School, Chicago, IL. All totaled, her elementary … Read more
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Anna Marie Jacobs of Waukesha was born to Eternal Life on Sunday, May 5, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at the age of 70. She was born in Fort Atkinson, WI on April 18, 1954 the daughter of Joseph and Ida (nee Poulsen) Fitzgerald and grew up in Whitewater. On August 11, 1973 she married her devoted husband, Glenn at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater. Anna worked for many years as the Juvenile Court Clerk for the City of Waukesha Police Department. She loved cooking, baking, a delicious Friday Fish Fry, and a good Old Fashioned. Her number … Read more
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Suzanne L. Preuschl, age 67, of Beloit, died Saturday April 27, 2024, at Beloit Memorial Hospital. She was born April 27, 1957, to Richard and Carrie “Bette” (White) LaBonne in Madison, WI. Suzanne graduated from Whitewater High School in 1975. She married Mark E. Preuschl on August 22, 1981, in Whitewater. Suzanne touched many lives, while working in her many roles at a variety of local credit unions, until her retirement in 2021. She was funny, mischievous, generous with her time, a great judge of character and always willing to help others. Suzanne loved music, singing & dancing. She also … Read more
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Florence H. Pape, age 105, of Whitewater and longtime resident of Little Prairie, WI passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Florence was born on October 5, 1918 in the Town of Eagle, WI the youngest child of Frederick and Harriet (Watson) Kuhl. She grew up in the village of Little Prairie and attended high school in Milwaukee while living with her sister, Edith. After completing her schooling, Florence was united in marriage to Arthur E. Pape and the two were blessed with a son, Robert. The family moved around for Arthur’s work, mostly … Read more
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Update 5/1/24 @ 4:50 p.m.: The location for the luncheon has been corrected. Keith Leonard Thayer found peace on April 27, 2024, at home after a courageous three-year battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer that metastasized into his bones; he later developed stage 1 lung cancer. He was born to Leonard and Marion Thayer on November 25th, 1957. Keith grew up in Lima Center and was from the wrong side of the track. Marcie, his future wife, walked down daily after they met. Keith and Marcie Mulrooney were married on June 21st, 1980, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milton, … Read more
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Editor’s note: A Royal Purple article, “Impactful newspaper adviser passes,” regarding Mr. Martino may be found here. Samuel Clifford Martino February 5, 1939 — April 20, 2024 DeForest- Sam Martino, 85, passed away on April 20, 2024 from a heart attack while mowing the lawn of his home in DeForest, WI. He was born in Clarksburg, W.Va., the son of Frank and Flora Ann Spino Martino. Sam was a passionate, award-winning journalist with a love of story-telling that started standing on a street corner in Dearborn, MI hawking newspapers and ended with tweeting. He began his reporting career in high … Read more
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BENJAMIN D. RHODES (November 7, 1936 – April 22, 2024) Benjamin “Ben” Dagwell Rhodes, 87, of Grosse Pointe, MI, and longtime resident of Whitewater, WI, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother was born in St. Louis, MO. Having spent most of his childhood there and his teen years in Denver, CO, he was an avid lifelong Cardinals fan as well as expert outdoorsman, skier, and mountaineer. He climbed all 58 peaks in Colorado above 14,000 feet of elevation, many multiple times. In addition, he climbed Mt Rainier in WA, Mt. Whitney in CA, and the Tetons in Wyoming. He also … Read more
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Patricia Juene Duckworth, 70, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Patricia was born on June 7, 1953 in Modesto, California to Benjamin and Marilyn (Cooper) Morris. On November 26, 1983 Patricia married Ronald Duckworth and together they raised a son. For many years, Patricia worked as an administrative assistant at Fort Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed arts and crafts, pottery, and gardening. Patricia is survived by her husband, Ronald; son, Benjamin; and siblings, Michael Morris, and Melinda Nead. She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Marilyn Morris. The family would … Read more
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Update 4/25/24: A memorial service will take place at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at First United Methodist Church in Whitewater. A visitation will take place from 10 AM until the time of service. A burial will follow the memorial service at Hillside Cemetery in Whitewater. Shirley Lorraine (Drays) Sweno, age 85 of Whitewater, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2024. She was born January 8, 1939 to the late William and Lydia (Stork) Drays. Shirley was united in marriage to Howard Sweno Jr. on November 8, 1958 in Whitewater. She was a member of First United Methodist Church … Read more
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Patricia (Pat) S. Johnson (Welter) passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 with her loving family by her side. Pat was born on March 24, 1951 in Edgerton, WI., the daughter of Stephen and Florence (Koscyczarek) Welter. Pat attended Whitewater High School graduating in 1969. She attended UW-Whitewater. Pat worked at Schweiger Industries in Jefferson, WI, where she met her first husband Frank Heth. They had two sons Shane and Todd. In 1990 she married Maynard (Skip) Johnson. They moved to Atlanta, Georgia where Pat was employed by Wal-Mart. After a number of years in Georgia they returned to Wisconsin to be closer … Read more
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