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Maddison LaHaie has been chosen by the faculty at Whitewater High School to attend the Wisconsin Leadership Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha June 9 – 11, 2023. Maddison will participate in team-building activities, hear motivational speakers, and participate in small group discussions designed to develop additional leadership skills in sophomores across the state of Wisconsin. Congratulations, Maddison!
Article and Photo Submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz
Whitewater High School Counselor
psonmorwintz@wwusd.org
City of Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Public Hearing For Consideration Of A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed Event Venue
And Sale Of Alcohol By The Drink Located At 183-187 W Main Street, Parcel ID#/OT 00070
For Stonegate Management LLC (Gregory Aprahamian).
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/115675677
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 115-675-677
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding The Final Starin Park Water Tower
Structural Analysis Report, and Discussion And Possible Action Regarding UTV/ATV Use On All City Streets In The
City Of Whitewater.
Cravath Conference Room
Municipal Building – 2 Floor
312 W Whitewater St
Whitewater Unified School District Policy Review Committee – Wednesday @ 9:00 a.m.
Agenda: A. 343.46, Early College Credit Program – Institution of Higher Education (IHE)
B. 177, Cancellation of School Board Meetings – NEW
C. Staff Use of High School Shop
D. Review of 800s Policies: 810, School-Community Relations; 811, District Accountability; 820, Public Information
Program; 821.2, News Releases; 822, News Media Relations; 822.1, News Media Relations; 823, Access to Public
Records; 823 Ex, Notice to the Public Regarding Access to Records; 823.1, Records Retention
Whitewater Unified School District Central Office
419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater, Wisconsin
City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission Special Session Meeting Agenda – Wed. @ 7:00 p.m.
Agenda includes closed session interview of detective candidate.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or
smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/977640685
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 977-640-685
It was a very busy day of wrestling at the high school on Saturday, January 7, as the Whippets hosted a 28 team JV tournament with 277 competitors in 16 and 32-person brackets. The top three in each weight class earned a trip to the JV Finals in Wausau in two weeks. Whitewater qualified 5 boys.
- 1st Place: JJ Gonzalez and Jesus Barajas
- 2nd Place: Richi Kalra
- 3rd Place: Curtis Rossmiller and Nate Black
- Just missing out and being designated as alternates are Keenan Sheffield and Christian Minett.
Full results from the JV Challenge Series event are available at this link.
Our girls traveled to their first Women’s tournament today at Kenosha Bradford to participate in a 12-team tournament. They came in 2nd place as a team!
- 2nd Place: Lauren Buehler and Ashley Xochipa
- 3rd Place: Khloe Meyer and Odeling Gonzales
- 4th Place: Athena Soto
Awesome job to both our men’s and women’s programs!
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
The gymnastics team had their first home meet this season on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. JV competed for the first time and WON!
Emily O’Donnell and Stephanie Walters both competed for the 1st time on Vault. Stephanie Walters and Alexa Wildenberg tied for 3rd with a season best score of 6.7.
We had 3 compete on JV Bars, which hasn’t happened for a while. We are super excited to have JV girls competing in this rotation. Stephanie Walters took 4th, Grace Coleman took 3rd, and Payton Brautigam took 1st with a 4.2.
On Beam rotation, Stephanie Walters took 4th. We had two girls compete on Beam for the 1st time, Grace Coleman who took 3rd and Alexa Wildenberg who took 2nd with her no fall Beam routine.
We had a full roster on Floor with 4 out of 5 girls doing their routines for the first time. It was a 1st time performance for Grace Coleman, Payton Brautigam, Emily O’Donnell, and Stephanie Walters. Stephanie took 3rd place and Brooke Bazeley took 1st.
Stephanie Walters competed in All-around for the 1st time and scored 17.50, taking 1st place for JV.
On the Varsity side, we had several season bests and lifetime best scores. We love seeing these girls push themselves in practices and continue to improve!
On Vault, Brenda Aguilar scored a season best score of 7.15 while Nola Coburn also scored a season best score of 7.4. Mady Hefty stepped up to the plate and competed in Vault for the 1st time and posted a score of 7.7 to tie with Makayla Bazeley. Halee Peters took 1st place with a score of 8.20. The girls scored their highest team Vault score with 31.0
Mady Hefty took on Bars for the 1st time as well. Halee Peters took 3rd place on Bars. The team again had their highest team Bars score with a 23.9.
Beam proved to be difficult against a very strong Elkhorn performance. However, Makayla and Brooke Bazeley both had season best performances. Both Bazeley girls had no fall Beam routines. The team even had a season best Beam team score!
The girls had a very strong showing on the Floor rotation. Alexa Wildenberg had a season best score of 6.0. Nola Coburn had a season best score of 6.85 – very close to her lifetime best. Mady Hefty also scored a 6.85 in her Floor debut. Makayla Bazeley had a lifetime best of 7.9, while Halee Peters took 1st place with her lifetime best of 8.6. The team score of 30.2 was a season high score and makes it 4 out of 4 season best scores for the varsity team.
In All-around, Makayla Bazeley received a lifetime best of 29.95, while Halee Peters took 2nd with a 31.40.
Come watch the girls in action at their next conference meet at Jefferson High School on Tuesday, January 10. Go crush it, Whippets!
Article Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
On Tuesday evening January 10, something new is happening at Whitewater High School!
Anderson Waelchli, a senior WHS Choir student, will present a Voice Recital in the High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. The recital is free and open to the public. There will be art songs and musical theatre songs, as well as some contemporary pieces.
This recital is presented as a result of Anderson’s work in an Independent Study in Vocal Performance this semester. We hope you can join us. It will be a night to remember!
Article Submitted by Karen Tordera
Whitewater High School Vocal Music Instructor
ktordera@wwusd.org
The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team played a conference game at home on Thursday night, January 5, against Evansville. It was an exciting, defensive battle throughout, ending in overtime.
Both teams battled in the first half, keeping the score low. We went into halftime down by 1, 10-11. Scoring increased for both teams in the second half, sending the game into overtime tied at 35. The Whippets fell short when Evansville connected on their free throws at end, losing 41-47.
We adjusted well to the changes Evansville made defensively, switching between a man and zone. We played with grit even when our shots wouldn’t fall. Being more patient when we have a lead late in the game is something we need to be more disciplined about.
Calli Grosinske led the Whippets with 13 points, followed by Danielle DePorter with 11, and Mayte Navejas with 8.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The WHS Players have received 14 Jerry Award nominations for their production of Beauty and the Beast! Winners will be announced in May after all participating schools have held their performances. School and student achievements are honored and featured in an awards show held at Overture Center in June, and two outstanding performers are selected to represent the program at The National High School Musical Theater Awards (The Jimmys) competition in New York City. WHS alumni Lauren Harkness was the 2019 winner who went on to represent the program in NYC.
The Jerry Awards, one of Wisconsin’s High School Musical Awards Programs, encourages, recognizes, and honors excellence in high school musical theater. Educators and industry professionals review productions at more than 85 high schools in 30 counties around the state providing valuable feedback. The program elevates the importance of musical theater within high schools.
OVERALL PRODUCTION AWARD NOMINATIONS
- Outstanding Orchestra
PERFORMER AWARD NOMINATIONS:
- Skyler Staebler – Lead – Belle
- Josh Kirley – Lead – Beast
- Brooke Mason – Lead – Mrs. Potts
- Ava Van Daele – Lead – Lefou
- Anderson Waelchli – Lead – Lumiere
- Ben McCulloch – Supporting – Maurice
- Mel Prince – Supporting – Chip
PRODUCTION TEAM NOMINATIONS
- Outstanding Direction: Jim McCulloch
- Outstanding Musical Direction: Liz Elliott
- Outstanding Choreography: Taytum Adkins
- Outstanding Scenic Design: Jim McCulloch
- Outstanding Lighting Design: Jim McCulloch
- Outstanding Costume Design: Karen McCulloch, Bobbi Wedl, Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Alexandra Cansino-Pena, Claire Tourdot, Maddison LaHaie, Remington Van Daele
Congratulations to all of our nominees!
WHS Players will be producing Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced” from February 23-26 at the WHS auditorium. Tickets go on sale soon.
Article Submitted by Jim McCulloch
WUSD Theater Director
jmcculloch@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Tom Ganser
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. As we have done in recent years, we are featuring some Henry Scholl glass plate images from the turn of the twentieth century with winter themes for the coldest month of the year–January. Henry Scholl took many photos in winter and they give us a look at Whitewater in c.1900 at this time of the year.
This image is of the north side of the 700 block of Center Street with the Methodist Church in the background. No street plowing in c.1900!
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(3548GP, Whitewater Historical Society)
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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