News & Events

Evansville, WI— Living Kindness, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by a loved one’s substance misuse, is excited to announce a series of free events designed to provide healing, community support, and practical tools for those navigating recovery and relationships.

Upcoming Events:

1. Navigating the Shadows: Adoption, Trauma, and Substance Misuse
   Date: September 25, 2024
   Time: 7:00 PM CT (Online)
   Details: This online session explores the connection between adoption-related trauma and substance misuse. Featuring Peter Bork, Adoptee in Recovery, and Chris Vittetoe, Adoptee, Certified Recovery Coach, and Founder of Gracewalker Ventures, participants will gain insights into the challenges and healing paths related to adoption and substance misuse.
2. Creative Connections: Fall into Creativity
   Date: October 5, 2024
   Time: 12:30 PM (In-person)
   Location: Evansville, WI
   Details: Led by Jasmine Pomplun, a UW-Whitewater Psychology graduate and Living Kindness content creator, this in-person event invites participants to engage in nature-based land art and mindfulness practices, fostering a supportive community connection amidst the vibrant autumn colors.
3. Breaking Free: From Codependency to Empowered Relationships
   Date: October 9, 2024
   Time: 7:00 PM CT (Online)
   Details: A powerful online session with Lori Frison, MS LPC, Psychotherapist and Certified Relationship Coach, focusing on overcoming codependency and setting healthy boundaries, particularly in the context of substance misuse.
4. Journey to Inner Peace: Embracing the Gifts Within Grief and Substance Use Disorder
   Date: November 9, 2024
   Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (In-person)
   Details: This transformative workshop is designed for close family members of those affected by substance use disorder. It offers a profound exploration of grief, loss, and personal growth from a soul-level perspective, featuring meaningful dialogue and reflective practices that delve into the emotional and spiritual dimensions of their experiences.

Living Kindness is committed to creating a nurturing environment where individuals can find strength, hope, and holistic growth. These events offer a valuable opportunity for community members to connect, heal, and empower themselves and others facing similar challenges.

For more information and to register, please visit livingkindness.net or contact kindness@livingkindness.net

Editor’s Note: The following interview was done by Marjorie Stoneman on behalf of Whitewater Unites Lives.

Juana Barajas is an American citizen and has owned La Tienda Mexicana “San Jose” in Whitewater for 22 years. “I love living here.  It is really nice and peaceful,” she said. 

However, the 1990’s were hard, because many people were first coming to Whitewater from Mexico, and she experienced discrimination here.  She says at first she didn’t speak English, but she taught herself and that has helped tremendously.

“If I am here illegally or legally, I’m still a person,” she said.

She recommends that newcomers learn and respect the laws and learn English to thrive.  She remembers the first time she heard the English language being spoken, and she said, “I love this language.  One day I’m going to learn it.”

She encourages newcomers to learn the language by listening and asking for help.  She said “Don’t be afraid to ask people to repeat their words in English.  That is how you learn.”

She said it would benefit everyone involved if all people could apply for licenses to drive.  People would know the rules of the road, which would be safer for everyone. Being able to drive safely with a license is vital to people with jobs.

She knows many newcomers who came here from Nicaragua, and she said 99 percent of her business now serves them.  She calls her business the “mini Nicaragua.”  It has been challenging to find the food that they request, because foods and spices are different in Nicaraguan cooking and Mexican cooking.  She works hard to meet her customers’ needs.

She said the newcomers are hardworking people who have a vision to come to America, work seven days a week and then leave in a few years.  Their goal, she said, is to raise money to send back to their families.  Family is a priority for most newcomers, and they miss their loved ones in Nicaragua.

She knows that the United States needs immigrants to do hard jobs, and wonders what would happen if every immigrant were deported.  She thinks America would be drastically affected if the work force were to leave.

 “American people do not need to be afraid or worried about these people,” she said.

She also said that, unless people are Native American, everyone in America had family that came from another country.

Her store, La Tienda Mexicana “San Jose,” at 148 W. Main Street in Whitewater, sells a variety of foods as well as offering prepared meals.  “We do give the best service,” she said.  No matter where they are from she treats people with respect and tries to meet their needs.

She encourages people to try her food and all of the spices that are included.  She said if people just want meat and cheese they should try a local chain restaurant.  But, if they want a true Mexican dish, they will enjoy the onions and cilantro that accompany their food created at San Jose.

Written by Chris Lindeke and Kristine Zaballos | Photos by Craig Schreiner | Video by Kyle Winter

Thousands of people visited the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater during the summer of 2024 as the Whitewater and Rock County campuses hosted scores of events between the spring and fall semesters.

A total of 6,330 campers and 700 camp counselors participated in the university’s 67 summer programs. Another 5,538 people were served through events run by external partners, including the Special Olympics Wisconsin Summer Games and the Drum Corps International Whitewater Classic.

UW-Whitewater’s First Year Experience office welcomed 2,182 students and 2,493 guests for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR). The Department of Admissions held three preview days and 126 campus tours over the summer for prospective students and their family members and guests, attracting another 3,279 visitors to campus.

“It was an incredible summer at UW-Whitewater, and I’m so proud that nearly 20,000 people visited our campuses,” said Chancellor Corey A. King. “We have a vibrant community, and it was on full display across the wonderful plethora of events we hosted. I’d like to thank our students, event volunteers, faculty, and staff, including our camps and conferences office, for fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for learning and engagement.”

The above Youtube video that shows highlights of the summer may be viewed here.

With offerings in athletics, arts and STEM, camps remain a vital part of the campus experience at UW-Whitewater. Camps that continued strong traditions of participation in 2024 included band, football, volleyball, and tennis camps, while several camps emerged as popular choices in 2024, including musical theatre, piano, and college prep bowling. UW-Whitewater at Rock County’s all skills volleyball camp reached maximum capacity.

Inclusivity and belonging are part of the priority mission of UW-Whitewater; summer camps put the mission into practice by providing events like wheelchair basketball camp, hosted by coaches who are national champion team members and 2024 Paralympians, and Chatter Matters, a camp serving individuals who use assistive communication devices and their families. UW-Whitewater maintains a 1:10 ratio of camp staff to camper for all youth programming and prides itself in youth protection training for all faculty, staff, coaches, and volunteers involved in leading programming.

“Camp is a special place filled with new and old friends, familiar activities and new experiences, and opportunities for people of all abilities to build life skills,” said Morgan Anderson, director of camps and conferences. “For more than 50 years, we’ve worked hard to provide affordable, life-changing experiences for our patrons. We strive to have something for everyone to explore.”

Registration for the 2025 camps season will begin in January. Music, athletic and academic events for youth are also held throughout the academic year. Visit our camps website for more information.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83292034497?pwd=XmBYdxm3i9MAaUofZvMDy2gOr4LOYB.1 Meeting ID: 832 9203 4497 Passcode: 554281 One tap mobile +13126266799,,83292034497#,,,,554281# US (Chicago)

Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner.)
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street

Whitewater Unified School District School Board – Regular Meeting – Monday @ 7:00 p.m.
Agenda (click on “meetings” in upper right corner) includes Presentation of Full Preliminary Budget including Levy Amounts
Whitewater High School Library
534 South Elizabeth Street
via Zoom Online
– URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87209603090?pwd=SEszZjdGMmdlZmtYbkFXOE1TVnBBZz09
– Passcode: 769932
———————————————-
– Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799
– Webinar ID: 872 0960 3090
– Passcode: 769932

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Edits to the Permit Fee Schedule and Public Comment Policy Discussion
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 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 the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87952083173
Or One tap mobile :
+13052241968,,87952083173# US
+13092053325,,87952083173# US
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Webinar ID: 879 5208 3173

Giovanni Anello IV, a talented musician from Whitewater, WI, has been awarded First Prize in the prestigious Charleston International Summer Music Competition. This online-based competition attracted musicians from around the world, with participants submitting video auditions in various categories.

Giovanni submitted his application in early August, and after an extensive preliminary round, was notified a few weeks later that he had advanced to the final round. Out of the numerous applicants, only six finalists were chosen to compete in Giovanni’s category.

On September 10th, the final results were announced on the competition’s website. Later that same day, Giovanni received the exciting news that he had secured First Prize, with the judges awarding scores on a 1-10 scale to determine the winners.

“I was thrilled when I was notified that I had won as this is the first large steppingstone to my performance career after winning both the Iowa and WI state NATS competitions and qualifying for the NATS National Student Auditions earlier this year,” said Giovanni. “Through this competition I have already been able to make musical connections with judges from around the country as I think about grad school in the next few years. None of this would have been possible without the help of my voice teachers the last two years, Professor Christine Blanner of Drake University and my current teacher Dr. Matthew Markham at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. They were the ones who sculpted my voice and performance to be what it is today.”

The Charleston International Summer Music Competition is known for celebrating musical excellence and fostering global artistic connections. Giovanni’s victory in this competition reflects not only his exceptional skill and dedication but also his growing presence on the international music scene.

From the Charleston International Music Competition website:

Giovanni David Anello IV, great-grandson of great Milwaukee director John David Anello Sr., is a fourth-generation musician and singer from Mukwonago, WI. He attended Mukwonago High School where he attained numerous awards through the Wisconsin School Music Association and Wisconsin Choral Directors Association including two Exemplary Performance nominations and a selection for the award at the state level and earned his spot three times into state honors choirs. After high school, Giovanni attended Drake University where he studied under Dr. Christine Blanner for a year as he transitioned from a music minor to a major. During that time, he competed in and won the 2023 Iowa NATS state competition. The following year Giovanni transferred back to his home state to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to study with Dr. Matthew Markham. In the last year Giovanni has won the 2023 Wisconsin NATS state competition and the 2024 North Central NATS regional competition on his way to qualifying for the 2024 National Student Auditions preliminary round. Giovanni made his opera debut as Polyphemus in Handel’s Acis and Galatea at UWSP in April of 2024. In his studies, Giovanni is currently attaining his Bachelors in Music Education along with his BM in Music Performance with a Vocal Emphasis. A very active student in the university, Giovanni is involved in many choirs including the vocal jazz ensemble believing that the best musician and teacher is a well rounded one. He is also extremely active in the Xi Omicron chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Anello’s competition performance may be viewed here.

A total of 156 students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will represent the university as student teachers at schools in Wisconsin, Illinois and other neighboring states during the 2024 fall semester.

The following UW-Whitewater students from the Whitewater area will serve as student teachers this fall:

53190 Whitewater, WI: Christian Derenne, who is majoring in History and will work in Social Studies at Denmark High School in the Denmark school district.

53190 Whitewater, WI: Colton Meuret, who is majoring in Mathematics and will work in Math at Whitewater High School in the Whitewater school district.

53190 Whitewater, WI: Inger Miles, who is majoring in Special Education MSE and will work in Special Education at Whitewater Middle School in the Whitewater school district.

53190 Whitewater, WI: Raquel Ortiz, who is majoring in Elementary Education and will work in Elementary & Middle at Lincoln Elementary in the Whitewater school district.

53190 Whitewater, WI: Sydney Troy, who is majoring in Elementary Education and will work in Elementary & Middle at Parkview Elementary in the Parkview school district.

53190 Whitewater, WI: Dayna Wendelberger, who is majoring in Elementary Education and will work in Elementary & Middle at Templeton Middle School in the Hamilton school district.

Students from the university’s College of Education and Professional Studies will serve as student teachers through January 2025.

“Our students are highly sought after,” said Fred Trotter, administrative director in UW-Whitewater’s Office of Clinical Experiences. “School districts really appreciate the caliber of our graduates.”

Student teaching is the final activity before teacher candidates earn their degree and license.

UW-Whitewater will partner with 218 cooperating teachers across 148 schools in 94 districts over the course of the semester.

“We couldn’t do this without a lot of the great partnerships we have with those pre-K through 12 schools – their partnerships are very much appreciated,” Trotter said.

Student teachers assist cooperating teachers with lesson planning, instruction and assessment. Some student teachers are pre-selected by UWW staff and cooperating schools for internships, earning a small stipend and teaching up to 50 percent of their day as a certified teacher would.

UW-Whitewater licenses the most teachers in the state of Wisconsin. Educating teachers was the university’s original mission during its founding in 1868. To learn more about the College of Education and Professional Studies at UW-Whitewater, visit uww.edu/coeps.