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Today is Sunday, May 10, 2026
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The WHS Portfolio Committee is seeking community members to be a part of the listening audiences on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 4:00 – 7:30 p.m. We are hoping for at least 15 Whitewater Community members to participate. Community members willing to attend the presentations can email kmcnulty@wwusd.org or call 262-472-8230 to sign up by Friday, April 8.
Members of the Whitewater High School Class of 2022 are currently preparing for the annual Portfolio Event which will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 4-7:30 p.m. at the high school.
This event for seniors allows them to showcase their academic achievements, celebrate their accomplishments, and share their postsecondary career and academic plans before graduation. To make the presentations more meaningful, students present to an audience of WHS staff members and members of the community along with family and friends who are invited to attend.
Students present examples of their best work in core academic and elective areas, share 2 or more examples of their involvement in activities in and outside of school, or work experiences, and at least one service activity that had special significance. Students then describe their future career and educational plans and the pathway they have chosen to accomplish their career goals. Graduates end their presentation by summarizing the most important learning experiences they’ve had in high school and how they hope to use their knowledge and skills to become a productive and responsible member of society.
Article Submitted by Kate McNulty
Whitewater High School
kmcnulty@wwusd.org
At Our House Senior Living Memory Care in Whitewater we are looking forward to a great evening for our senior residents as we celebrate Prom 2022 on March 31, 2022. We are holding Prom for our seniors to brighten up their evening, and we would love to hear them reminiscence about their memories with special events like this that they had in the past. We want all of our residents to feel special!
We are looking for donations of prom dresses and men’s dress attire. Anything would be helpful to make this a night to remember. We will also be looking for a great local vendor to order our prom meal from. If anyone in the community would like to donate any items for our prom please reach out to Angela Lyman-Executive Director at 262-473-9507 or Brandy Eason-Assistant Director at 262-473-1011.
The image on the homepage,”Corsage – Blumz by JRDesigns in metro Detroit” by Flower Factor is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0.
On Friday, March 18, Whitewater Track & Field athletes participated in the Nelson-Daniels Small School Invitational at UW-Whitewater. Strong team and individual performances were posted by both squads. Competing against over 20 schools from Wisconsin and Illinois, the Whippets began with a strong start from the Boy’s 4x800m relay. The team of Cooper Hammond, Nate Holden, Ethan Dugan, and Jack Hefty posted a time of 9:09.36, good for 1st place. Despite strong competition and on-track adversity, the boys crossed the finish line nearly 12 seconds faster than the next-fastest relay team. The other 1st-place finish of the night was posted by the Girl’s 4x200m relay team of Maddie Buehler, Kindyl Kilar, Olive Coburn, and Calli Grosinske. A strong start out of the blocks, stellar hand-offs, and a gutsy finish on the back stretch helped the relay team cross the line in a time of 1:54.88.
Other event place-winners for the boys included CJ Tomomitsu in the Pole Vault (T-2nd), Connor Raupp in the Shot Put (7th), and the 4x400m relay team of Hammond, Dugan, Tomomitsu, and Hefty (8th). For the girls, Kindyl Kilar placed 6th in the 55m Dash Final. All athletes who competed showed great effort and enthusiasm, cheering on and supporting their teammates through the 4x400m relay that was run late that night. The Whippets return to action on Tuesday for their second and final indoor meet, the ‘Fool’s Spring’ Invitational, hosted by UW-Whitewater.
Article Submitted by Matt Green
Whitewater High School Head Track and Field Coach
mgreen@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
On Tuesday, March 15, the Whippet Boys’ Basketball Team enjoyed their end of season banquet. Overall, the season didn’t play out as well as the players, the coaches, or the fans hoped. There were, however, some bright spots, and the players at all three levels improved as the season progressed. The JV2 squad came together as a team to overcome inexperience, illness, and injury to finish strong. The JV1 team, always in a tough spot as their players are always on notice to challenge Varsity in practice, provide minutes for Varsity in game situations, and work on developing their team chemistry in their own games, overcame these challenges to finish the season on a positive note.
The Varsity team, at different times throughout the season, was battling injuries and illness. Near the end of the season, the team started to find their rhythm and were more competitive than earlier in the season. This was most evident when the #12-seeded Whippets traveled to the #5-seeded Mariners of St. Francis near the shores of Lake Michigan in the first round of the WIAA playoffs. The boys battled through 13 lead changes and 11 ties to experience their most satisfying win of the season. The final score was 60-56 behind Jonathan Aron’s 25 points and five assists and Wyatt Nickel’s 13 points, six rebounds, and five steals. Arno Crowley contributed nine points and three steals, Ramon Wence poured in seven points and dropped seven assists and three steals, with Sam Brown providing a steady rudder guiding the Whippet ship with six points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Last but not least, the Rock Valley Conference coaches gathered last Wednesday to vote on All-Conference honors. The RVC coaches recognized Jonathan Aron and Wyatt Nickels for their season-long performances and rewarded them by naming them All-Conference Honorable Mention. Congratulations fellas and to all three teams!
Article and Photos Submitted by Jim Aron
Whitewater High School’s FIRST Robotics Team Ferradermis has been busy prototyping, designing, manufacturing, building, wiring, programming, and testing their 2022 robot since FIRST unveiled the new game for the Rapid React season on January 8. The team is currently between competitions, having traveled to Duluth, Minnesota for the Lake Superior Regional from March 2 – 5. They will be competing in Milwaukee at the Wisconsin Regional during Spring Break and again in La Crosse at the Seven Rivers Regional from March 30 – April 2.
This year’s game is sponsored by Boeing and themed around the elements of an airport. The game involves shooting oversized tennis balls (cargo) into an upper and lower hub in the center of the field and climbing a set of monkey bars in the hangar during the last 30 seconds of each match. As always, games are played with six robots on the field at a time, 3 on the blue alliance and 3 on the red alliance. To learn more about how the robots play the game, watch the game animation at https://youtu.be/LgniEjI9cCM
Prior to competing, members of Ferradermis enjoyed hosting the community for an Open House on Saturday, February 12. Team members greeted visitors and showed them the game animation before demonstrating the CAD model for the newest robot. Members of the mechanical, electrical, and programming teams then demonstrated how they accomplish their goals, and the tour wrapped up with a visit to the tables hosted by the Whitewater BrickLayers FIRST LEGO League teams from Washington, Lakeview, and Lincoln Elementary Schools.
On Saturday, February 20, members of the team traveled to Sussex Hamilton High School to participate in a pre-regional scrimmage with 25 teams from southern and central Wisconsin. This annual event gives teams the opportunity to test their robot on a full official field for the first time. Teams also have the opportunity to see what other teams have created and discuss ideas. Sussex also includes sessions where students can discuss scouting and strategy at events, see each others’ Chairman’s awards presentations, and practice for Dean’s List interviews.
Duluth welcomed 112 high school FIRST Robotics Teams to the DECC on March 2, split between the Lake Superior Regional and the Northern Lights Regional. This was the first in-person regional event to be held since the first week of March of 2020, when Ferradermis competed at Northern Lights, and everyone was thrilled to be back in action! The 58 teams competing on the Lake Superior side of the curtain this year represented Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Because many COVID protocols were still in place, team members had completed two judging interviews prior to traveling north. At other regionals, the judges will mill about in the pits and interact with teams in a much less formal way.
The robot played 9 qualification matches in Duluth, with a record of 5 – 4. The team ended up ranked 38 out of 58, and did not make the playoffs. However, the team was thrilled to win the Gracious Professionalism Award for the Lake Superior Regional. Gracious professionalism is a main tenet of FIRST which expects teams to compete as hard as they can on the field but to also do everything they can to help other teams reach their own potential. Go, Ferradermis!
Article Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor and Banner Volunteer
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Editor’s note: The following information was received from Whitewater Unified School District.
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
Lincoln had the pleasure of welcoming Acting Chief Dan Meyer, School Resource Officer Michele Martin, Detective Justin Brock, and Detective Shane Brandl to our school for some reading time! The members of our police department visited Mrs. Adelmeyer’s 1st-grade class and Mrs. Nelson’s 2nd-grade class as part of the Kiwanis Program, Cops ‘N Kids on Friday, March 4th. Each class enjoyed the visit and even received a free book!
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
UW-W’s women’s basketball played a thriller Sweet 16 game on Friday evening in Kachel Gymnasium, with Whitewater native Rebekah Schumacher hitting a layup with essentially no time left in overtime versus Smith College of Massachusetts. The Warhawks move to the Elite 8 for the first time since 2014, to play conference rival UW-Oshkosh for the fourth time this season. UW-W won two of the previous three games, including the semifinal in the WIAC tournament, 67-59. Oshkosh advanced to the Elite 8 with a 74-63 defeat of Baldwin Wallace (OH) earlier on Friday evening. Saturday’s tip-off in Kachel Gymnasium is at 7:00 p.m.
Further details on Friday’s game will be posted upon receipt from UW-W.
The Whitewater Boys’ Basketball Team traveled to Racine on Friday, March 4th, to take on Racine Saint Catherine’s, in a second-round regional game. Unfortunately, for the second time in three years, the Angels ended Whitewater’s season, as they defeated the Whippets, 62-45.
After an inspiring win against Saint Francis on Tuesday, Whitewater carried that energy into the first half, as they controlled the pace and took a 21-11 lead with a little over four minutes left. Saint Cat’s began to change the momentum, however, as they closed the half on an 8-2 run, but the Whippets still led 23-19.
The second half was controlled by Racine. The Angels took the lead, 24-23, a minute in, and never looked back, as they outscored Whitewater, 27-8, to take a 51-31 lead with five minutes left. The effort was there for the Whippets, but they just couldn’t get anything going against Saint Cat’s aggressive defense.
Whitewater was led by Jon Aron’s 12 points and 5 rebounds. Wyatt Nickels scored 11 points and had 5 rebounds. Arno Crowley scored 5 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, and Ramon Wence had 4 points and 3 rebounds. Sam Brown scored 5 points and handed out 3 assists.
Article Submitted by Dwayne Lange
Obituaries
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
Carol Ann Seebruch, 88 of Whitewater passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, April 3, 2026. Carol was born July 12, 1937 in Chicago IL to William and Ann Borovec. She married Marvin Seebruch on June 9, 1984. Carol and Marvin enjoyed traveling the United States making it to 48 of the 50 states. She also enjoyed her time with the Red Hat Ladies. She loved taking pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Carol is survived by her three children; Bill Anderson of Fort Atkinson, WI, Terri Laban of Whitewater, WI, and Donna (Mike) Jones of Crivitz, WI. She … Read more
Entered God’s Kingdom on Friday, April 3, 2026, age 65. Donna is survived by her cousins, other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents James and Lois (Michels) Lyons. Donna was raised in the Church of Nazarene, with her father being the assistant pastor. Religion was very important to Donna. Donna enjoyed working with the students of the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, where she resided. Donna also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, and all around the United States. She also loved to paint, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet. She also loved collecting recipes and trying … Read more
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