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Today is Friday, October 9, 2026
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Editor’s note: The following was submitted by Pamela Sonmor-Wintz, WHS Counselor.
National Honor Society members at Whitewater High School purchased Holiday presents for ten WUSD children in need through the United Way Gift Giving Program in December! Money spent was from funds raised through the Spring Silent Auction. Thank you, Evelyn Troxel, Allison Alvarado & her sister Ava for purchasing the gifts, and to Evelyn, Allison & Caleigh Yang & Kayla Mikos for wrapping the gifts! A great time was had by all! Here is a photo story of pictures taken during this project!
A YouTube video depicting the project may be viewed here.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
The First United Methodist Church choir, together with additional singers from other Whitewater Area Regional Ministry congregations and other community members, presented a Christmas cantata titled “Little Lion, Little Lamb” by Heather Sorenson on December 11 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A 22-piece orchestra accompanied the choir, as did James R. Athas on piano. Christine Hayes directed, while Pastor Dan Fahs narrated. Vocal soloists were Barb Athas, Benjamin Crone, Jen Crone, Charlie Fortney, Katie Fortney, Nathan Roley, and Barb Taylor. The concert was dedicated to the late Marge Triebold, who sang in the choir for over 65 years. All photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Donations have been down and there is definitely a need for more volunteers. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today. Save time by answering the questionnaire at home; this cannot be done before Monday.
Please click on this link to make an appointment.
The Whitewater Unified School District 5th Grade Choirs presented a concert on December 13 at the high school auditorium. Directors are Justin Kamp (Lakeview), Christine Hayes (Lincoln), and Val Troxel (Washington). Barb Taylor accompanied on the piano. All photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Interim Chancellor John Chenoweth recently announced that Associate Vice Chancellor Kenny Yarbrough will be leaving UW-Whitewater in January. Yarbrough has served as the inaugural Associate Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Support Programs (EDIS) for the past four years. This week Lawrence University in Appleton announced that Yarbrough will soon be assuming a similar position there.
Chenoweth also announced that Vanessa Perez will lead the EDIS programs “for the foreseeable future,” while also indicating that Perez has been appointed as the permanent Assistant Vice Chancellor for the division.
Per the chancellor, “This fall the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was once again named a College of Distinction for Equity and Inclusion. This designation was only possible thanks to the genuine commitment of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community. Our work in this space is important and recognized, but we realize we have much more to do.”
The following quotes are from an article, “Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s Volleyball Starting lineup,” in The Gazette on December 15 by Tom Miller. Please click here to read the complete article, which is considerably longer. It appears that a subscription may not be required.
Next Level: After redshirt year, Whitewater High grad Emme Bullis breaks into Cal Poly’s volleyball starting lineup
“Emme Bullis’ parents were both teachers and coaches.
That partially explains the Whitewater High graduate’s success as a redshirt freshman [on] the Cal Poly volleyball team this season.
Bullis finished the season as the Mustangs leader in assists (1,105) and digs (26) and third in service aces with 18…..
Her first season in the Big West impressed her head coach Caroline Walters. “She’s a leader,” Walters told The Mustang News, the school’s publication. “She is consistently saying the right things and doing the right things.”
That is nothing new for people who watched Bullis star four years for the Whippets. A three-time Rock Valley Conference first-team selection and a first-team all-state pick her senior year, Bullis had a solid upbringing both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.
Her father, Kevin, was the UW-Whitewater head football coach from 2015 until the end of this past season when he announced his retirement.
Emme’s mother, Kathy, coached her throughout her high school career. Kathy retired after the 2021 season as the Whippets’ head coach.
Kevin and Kathy are in the process of moving to California. Kevin is pursuing a job in education, while Kathy already has been working in California….
They will have more opportunities to watch Emme play in her three remaining seasons.
She beat out a senior who was second in assists in the Big West last season for the starting setter job….
The drive and her competitiveness are illustrated by her success in the classroom, as well. A high honor roll student all four years at Whitewater High, Bullis is majoring in child development and wants to teach at the elementary school level when she graduates.
That is three volleyball seasons—and many more successes—away.”
The Whippet Girls’ Basketball Team took on Edgerton Thursday night, December 15, for a conference game at home.
We started the game with great intensity on defense, keeping the score within five with just over seven minutes left in the first half. Edgerton pulled away, outscoring us 24-3 as we struggled to connect on our shots from outside, ending the first half 13-39.
The second half matched the first in scoring as we continued to struggle to hit our shots.
Statistical leaders for the Whippets were Kindyl Kilar and Calli Grosinske with 7 points and 2 rebounds each. Zoe Kohl added 4 points.
The Whippets travel to Brodhead for another conference game Tuesday night, December 20.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Peter and Bob Mischka
| The Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale provides visitors with the opportunity to view and purchase handmade, one-of-a-kind ceramic vessels/pottery forms that have been created by a mix of emeritus and current faculty members, student alumni, and current students involved in the UW-Whitewater, Dept. of Art and Design’s Ceramics program. The nearest parking area to the main entrance of the Center of the Arts’ Crossman Gallery venue is Lot 1 of the UW-Whitewater campus. To avoid being issued a parking ticket/citation, a parking permit must be purchased. The UW-Whitewater Ceramics Organization’s members are not responsible for parking tickets/citations issued to visitors of the Ceramics Sale. A visitor day parking pass may be purchased here for $5. To purchase hourly parking Passport Pay by Space see the information here. There are several spaces with signage for this program in Lot 1 near the Center of the Arts entrance. Cost is $1.65 for an hour or $3.05 for two hours. Further information about parking at UW-W may be found here. If you’re willing to park at an off-campus, free, public parking spot that is fairly close to the Center of the Arts building, consider such parking areas located along South Prince Street, Florence Street, and/or North Lindsey Court. Note, too, that parking is free in most of UW-Whitewater’s Lot 1 parking stalls during the 5-7 p.m. segment of the Sale’s overall, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16th, open hours, and during the entirety of the Sale’s 9 a.m.-5 p.m. open hours on Saturday, Dec. 17th. Cash, personal check, debit, and credit cards are acceptable to purchase items at the 44th Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale. Handmade ceramic vessels/pottery serve as excellent winter holiday gifts for your friends, family members, and/or co-workers – we hope that you will visit the 44th Annual UW-Whitewater Ceramics Sale! |
Obituaries
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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