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Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia

January 12, 2023

Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia
Thursday Evenings 2/3-3/30/23 – 6-7:30 p.m.

Reserve Your Spot Today

The Aging & Disability Resource Centers of Rock and Marquette Counties are offering the 9-week Stress-
Busting for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia virtual class as developed at the University of
Texas Health Science Center by Sharon Lewis and the WellMed Charitable Foundation on Thursday
evenings beginning February 2nd and running through March 30th, 2023 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Who is SBP for? Anyone caring for someone with a form of dementia will benefit from the program.
What is SBP? The Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia is a proven
curriculum developed by Sharon L. Lewis, RN, PhD, FAAN in conjunction with the University of Texas
Health Science Center and the WellMed Charitable Foundation which teaches stress management,
relaxation tools, coping strategies and problem-solving skills with a support group component.
Participants view the program as a source of strength and support for their caregiving role.

“Caregivers of someone with dementia experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Dealing with those issues in a healthy way is vital to a caregiver’s well-being. Consequently, to care for
the person with dementia, the caregiver must first learn how to care for themselves,” said Karen
Tennyson dementia care specialist at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Rock County.

Reserve your spot today for the Stress-Busting Program for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia
by contacting Karen Tennyson at 608-741-3615 or karen.tennyson@co.rock.wi.us.

Editor’s note: The Banner inquired as to whether enrollment in this program is limited to residents of Rock (and Marquette) counties. Karen told us that she would be happy to speak with residents of other counties.

Gymnasts Continue to Add New Skills to Routines

January 12, 2023

The gymnastics team had a dual meet against Jefferson/Cambridge on January 10, 2023. Once again, the girls faced some tough competition but held their own and came out of the meet with some great scores and showcased some of their new skills.

Stephanie Walters had her season best score of 5.1 on Floor as well as season best of 4.0 on Uneven Bars where she did a flyaway for the first time in a meet. Grace Coleman had a season high on bars as well with a 4.3. She also had a no fall Beam routine, which is always the goal.  Payton Brautigam had a great performance on Floor and earned herself a season high score of 5.3. Alexa Wildenberg improved her score on the Beam with a season best of 4.9. Lexi Kuhnke performed her Floor routine for the first time this season and scored a 5.65. It’s great to see her back at it. The JV team had season high team scores on Floor and on Bars! 

Mady Hefty had a strong performance on Floor where she tied her season best of 6.85 and did a back tuck in her routine for the first time this season! Her teammates erupted into loud cheers to show their excitement for her. She then went on to Vault where she had a season best score of 7.85. Nola Coburn did a back tuck in her Floor routine for the first time this year which everyone was super excited to watch. Nola went on to score her best on the Uneven Bars with a 5.15. Makayla Bazeley had a stellar performance on the Uneven Bars where she had a lifetime best score of 7.425 and took 3rd place. Brooke Bazeley had another no fall Beam routine. Brenda Aguilar was very close to her season best on the Vault. Halee Peters improved her score on 3 out of 4 rotations. She had a lifetime best on Vault with an 8.50, took 2nd on bars with a 7.55, had a no fall Beam routine and a season best score of 8.35 and then another lifetime best on the Floor with an 8.9. Halee’s all-around score was the highest she has ever had with a 33.3. The varsity team had their highest bars score of the season. 

Many of the girls are working towards more new skills they hope to debut in the upcoming weeks. They all have goals they are working toward and I know they will achieve everything they hope. They will compete again on Monday, January 16th in a triangular vs Janesville Parker and Milton in Janesville. And then will compete again on Saturday, January 21st in the Southwest Invite. Thank you to all that come out and support the girls!

Article Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org

Whippets Fall by One to Clinton

January 11, 2023

The Whippet Girls’ Basketball Team travelled to Clinton for a conference game on Tuesday, January 10. 

This game was a true nail-biter and a great matchup. We were outsized at times but our guards played a very physical game with confidence that their teammates were in help defense. Solid defense and grit from both ends of the court made this game so exciting. We were either up or down by a few points to the very end of the game. Unfortunately, we came up short by one, 56-57. 

Danielle DePorter

Danielle DePorter had a break-out game with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Mayte Navejas followed with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals (also a season high). Calli Grosinske added 8 points, 4 assists, multiple rebounds, and 5 steals. 

The Whippets take on McFarland at home Friday night. 

Congratulations to Clinton Cougar, Jayden Nortier, for scoring her 1000th point! 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Pair Named Academic All-State for Cross Country

January 9, 2023

The WCCCA (Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association) recently held its annual clinic, and awards were picked up for the Fall 2022 season. This piece of paper certifies that Jack Hefty and Nate Holden have been awarded the individual Academic All-State Award for the 2022 season!

Nate Holden and Jack Hefty

The criteria set is that an athlete must participate in the WIAA State Cross Country Meet and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above. This is Nate’s first award and Jack’s second.

Congratulations, guys!

Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

LaHaie Selected to Represent WHS at Summer Leadership Conference

January 9, 2023

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!

Maddi LaHaie

Article and Photo Submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz
Whitewater High School Counselor
psonmorwintz@wwusd.org

This Week’s City & School Bd Meetings (Update: Added WUSD Policy Review Comm.)

January 8, 2023

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

Five Wrestlers Advance to JV Finals in Wausau; Girls Place Second in Tourney

January 8, 2023

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

Varsity Gymnasts Put Up Best Team Event Scores of Season, JV Wins Meet

January 8, 2023

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

Obituaries

Obituary: Sally A. Schutte, 73

Sally A. Schutte, age 73, of Whitewater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2026, while at Hearthstone Memory Care in Whitewater. Sally was born on November 6, 1952, to Roy and Elsie (Rohloff) Haas. Sally married William Schutte in the spring of 2003. Sally grew up on the family farm in the Town of Hebron and graduated from Jefferson High School. She dedicated nearly her entire career to Fort HealthCare, where her hard work and versatility shone through various roles. Over the years, she served in housekeeping and medical records, Center for Dermatology. Sally … Read more

Obituary: Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41

Zachariah “Zach” Schoenke, 41, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.  He was born April 4, 1985, to Keith W. Schoenke and Kathleen Schoenke in Fort Atkinson, WI. He grew up and graduated from Whitewater High School in 2003. Zach worked various jobs over the years but was currently working at Cracker Barrel in Janesville. He was a big Packers Fan and liked to play fantasy football. He enjoyed reading, cooking, and watching horror shows. Zach fiercely loved his son, Lincoln, his sisters, Cami and Cary, his mom and stepdad, and his aunt Robin. He will be dearly … Read more

Obituary: Carla Winn, 82, of Kansas

Carla Winn, 82, died September 5, 2026. Funeral Service will be at 12:00 PM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67218, followed by a burial at 2:00 PM at White Chapel Memorial Garden 1806 N Oliver Ave. Carla is preceded in death by her parents, Vivian Dwight and Wilma Lois Krehbiel; and sister, Jennifer Krehbiel. She is survived by husband, Stephen; daughter, Ashley (Clint) Gagel, of Overland Park; siblings, Paul (Kay) Krehbiel, of Socorro, NM, Lynn (Bill) Oetting, of Wichita, Ellen (John) Querner, of Wichita, Teresa Woodson, of Lawrence, KS, … Read more

Celebration of Life: Susan K. Miller

Susan Miller Celebration of Life There will be a gathering of friends and acquaintances at Susan’s Farm Store to celebrate Susan’s life on Saturday, September 19th from 2-5 p.m. at N6623 Lake Lorraine Rd., Delavan, Wisconsin

Obituary: JoAnn E Harrop, 95, of AL

Our loving mother, JoAnn E Harrop, age 95, passed away on September 11, 2026. Our sorrow is deep, but we are filled with gratitude for the many years we had with her. Even as her mind was failing, she remained strong and appreciative of all who cared for her. JoAnn was born on January 13, 1931, daughter to Fred Braun and Evelyn Braun {Storck).  She was raised in Whitewater, Wisconsin by her grandparents, Otto and Edith Storck. She attended Whitewater High School and helped at the Storck tavern where she met her husband Earl C. Harrop. They married on November … Read more

Obituary: Russell O. “Russ” Johnson, 88

Russell O. Johnson “Russ,” 88, passed away on September 4, 2026 in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Russell was born on July 12, 1938, in Janesville, Wisconsin. Russ grew up in Janesville, and after high school he joined the Air Force on May 1, 1958, serving as an aircraft mechanic until June 12, 1962. He then worked at Parker Pen in Janesville for a time, where he met his future wife, Avis. After marrying Avis Mason in April 1964, Russ worked for Gillman Manufacturing for a time, then began a career at Dana until its closing in 1980. In 1981, Russ started working … Read more

Obituary: Marcia Zingg, 75

Marcia Zingg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75. Marcia will be remembered for her unwavering love, remarkable strength, generous spirit, and lifelong devotion to her family. She shared 40 wonderful years of marriage with her husband, Jeffrey Zingg, who considered her not only his wife but also his best friend, business partner, and the love of his life. Together, Marcia and Jeffrey built a successful life rooted in perseverance, hard work, laughter, and love. As entrepreneurs in Whitewater, Wisconsin, they owned and managed new car franchises and … Read more

Obituary: Amanda Jean Hunter, 49

Amanda Jean Hunter was born to Ralph and Malinda (Thomas) Hunter of Whitewater, Wisconsin, on October 6, 1976. She passed away on August 4, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived with her family. Amanda passed peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. Amanda was a kind-hearted free spirit with an unmistakable hippie warmth. Generosity, spontaneity, a quick wit, a macabre sense of humor, and an open heart were traits that she embraced. She was a tireless champion of those in need, an innate characteristic that became among the best of her qualities. She proved to be a … Read more

Obituary: Ellen Eichmiller, 82

Ellen Eichmiller, 82, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Ellen was born on September 10, 1943, in Monroe, Wisconsin, to Chester “Guy” and Irene (née Holmen) Steig. She married the love of her life, Paul Eichmiller, on December 7, 1963, and together they made their home in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Ellen spent much of her working life as a secretary at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she formed many lasting friendships and memories. Ellen cherished her family and friends and treasured the time she spent with those closest to her. She was known for her love of … Read more

Obituary: Janet Quinn, 71, Jefferson

Janet Quinn, age 71, of Jefferson passed away on Thursday, August 20th. Janet was born on December 22nd, 1954 in St. Joseph, MI to Robert Mounsey and Edith Christison Mounsey. She was a granddaughter to Herbert Bragg Mounsey, Charlotte Mounsey, and Ester Christison West. She married Michael Durden in 1979 and later married Eury Quinn Jr. (J.R.) in 1988. Janet grew up in Benton Harbor, MI, and subsequently lived in New York and Arkansas before moving to Wisconsin in 2016. She was a dedicated caregiver to her disabled Mother, and worked as a custodian for various employers over the years. … Read more