News & Events

Whitewater High School Math Teacher Jason Bleck has been honored with a 2024 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship award for his outstanding contributions to education and his positive influence on students.

The Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship program celebrates and supports teachers and innovation in education across Wisconsin. It empowers educators to pursue their aspirations for enriching classroom experiences and professional development opportunities.

Jason and the 99 other teacher recipients will each receive a $6,000 grant to support their educational initiatives.

“Jason fosters an especially engaging learning environment for students and inspires them to achieve and challenge themselves,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent of the Whitewater Unified School District. “We are so proud to celebrate this recognition of one of our amazing educators. He deserves this recognition and is a great role model for all students and colleagues in WUSD.”

In a broader celebration of educational excellence, the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced 304 distinguished individuals—including students, teachers, and administrators—as recipients of its 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship, and Principal Leadership awards.

Established by the late Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator, philanthropist, and businessman, the Kohl Foundation award program has supported Wisconsin’s educational community since its inception in 1990. With nearly $38 million awarded to date, the foundation remains steadfast in its mission to recognize and uplift the invaluable contributions of educators, principals, students, and schools throughout the state.

For more information about the awards program, visit www.kohleducation.org

The Whitewater High School Forensics Team had amazing performances at Thursday night’s District competition hosted by Stoughton High School. This is part of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) State Series.

Five students will advance to the State Tournament, which will be hosted by DeForest High School in April:

• Carley Boudreau (11) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
• Emerson Ellenwood (12) – Expository Speech
• Emilia Houwers (12) – Expository Speech
• Marina Linos (12) – Informative/Demonstration Speech
• Lauren Rollette (12) – Solo Serious Acting 

Article and Photo Submitted by Elizabeth Miller
Whitewater High School Forensics Coach
emiller@wwusd.org

The Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has recognized six area high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of good citizenship.

The organization, which is marking its 125th anniversary this year, held its annual Good Citizen Reception for the students and their guests on Thursday, March 7, at the Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson.

Named “Good Citizens” were Sydney Ketterman, Fort Atkinson High School; Payton Schmidt, Jefferson High School; Kaitlyn Brodzik, Palmyra-Eagle High School; Cooper Murphy, Lake Mills High School; Perry Thompson, Cambridge High School; and Ghati Binagi, Whitewater High School.

“NSDAR (The National Society DAR) began recognizing Good Citizens in 1934; perhaps a great-great-great-grandparent of yours was so honored,” chapter Regent Nancy Olson said in welcoming attendees. “The first school our chapter honored was Fort Atkinson. Our chapter now recognizes seven schools with over 90 students being selected.”

She noted that no scholarships were awarded in those early days. Today, one is given to the chapter’s essay winner.

“More important, I think, are the qualities of dependability, service and patriotism, values that stay with you the rest of your lives,” Olson said.

Registrar Jessica Punzel led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chaplain Valerie Cole offered the blessing. Each student introduced him/herself and his/her guests and was presented a certificate of recognition by DAR members Jane Fary and Pat Ogren.

Sydney Ketterman

Sydney Ketterman, of Fort Atkinson High School, is the daughter of Brett and Martha Ketterman.

As the chapter’s Good Citizen winner, her essay on citizenship advances to compete at the state level. She read her work, titled “What Are the Civic Responsibilities of a Good Citizen and Why Are These Duties, Activities and Behaviors Important to the Shaping of the America You Hope to Experience?”

Ketterman has maintained an “A” grade point average during high school while taking Accelerated English, Advanced Placement Calculus and Advanced Placement Chemistry.

She is active in theater, forensics, National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Ketterman was named “Best Performer” in 2020, was dance captain and earned an “Inspire-a-Dream” Scholarship.

Outside of school, she teaches elementary schoolchildren basic dance at Main Street Dance Studio in Fort Atkinson, where she herself took lessons for 13 years. She also is choreographer for the Fourth Street Singers middle school show choir and has volunteered at Ruby’s Pantry and as a receptionist at the Dwight Foster Public Library.

Following graduation, Ketterman plans to major in elementary education with a dance minor. She is considering attending Northern Illinois University or the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Kaitlyn Brodzik

Kaitlyn Brodzik, of Palmyra-Eagle High School, is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Brodzik.

A laude honor student, she has a high grade point average and has earned an academic letter.

Among her achievements, Brodzik has served on Student Council for three years, has managed the school’s dance team, was a blood drive coordinator and is vice president of National Honor Society.

Brodzik also has served as a member of the school’s Math Team for three years, participates on the cheerleading squad, plays volleyball and was a member of the “Hope Squad.”

In addition, she volunteers at the Powers Memorial Library in Palmyra and has accumulated more than 400 community service hours during her high school years.

Brodzik plans to study business at UW-Madison.

Ghati Binagi

Ghati Binagi, of Whitewater High School, was unable to attend the Good Citizen reception. She was presented her certificate Friday, March 15, at the school.

The daughter of Mwita Binagi and Kristin Carpenter, she has maintained an “A” grade point average throughout high school; among her classes have been Honors English, Honors Biology, AP English and AP Human Geography.

Binagi also served on the school’s Student Council, the “Hope Squad” and as secretary and vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter.

She was a manager for the varsity basketball team and served in a peer mentoring program, using her study hall time to help other students with their classwork.

As a member of the Whitewater High School Players, Binagi served as a costume assistant. She is employed at McDonald’s Restaurant.

Binagi plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to major in communications with a minor in psychology.

About the award, DAR

Created in 1934, the Good Citizen award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. The students are selected by their teachers and peers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.

Once a student is chosen as the DAR Good Citizen, he or she is invited to participate in the scholarship portion of the program. This consists of a personal statement and an essay; participation is optional.

Organized in 1899, the Fort Atkinson Chapter of DAR was one of the earliest and largest chapters in Wisconsin for many years. In 1992, it merged with the Eli Pierce Chapter, which was founded in Whitewater in 1941.

Today, chapter members reside in Fort Atkinson, Watertown, Lake Mills, Jefferson, Whitewater, Milton, Janesville and surrounding communities, as well as in several other states.

Families are invited to visit the library for free, fun activities during the week of March 25. The activities are geared toward children ages 5-12, but all ages are welcome. Every day at 1:00 p.m. a different activity will be offered in the library’s Community Room. On Monday, 3/25, participate in a variety of table games and puzzles. On Tuesday, 3/26, create art using a variety of materials and tools — just bring your imagination! On Wednesday, 3/27, build LEGO creations, and on Thursday, 3/28, experiment with a STEM activity featuring paper circuits and LED lights. Note that the library is closed on Friday, 3/29.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782 with questions.

It’s movie awards season and Seniors in the Park is featuring many nominated and winning films!

“Nyad”

Tuesday, March 26, 1 p.m.

(Drama/Biography) Rated PG-13

2 hours, 1 minute (2023)

The remarkable, true story of athlete Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) who, at age 60, and with the help of her partner and coach (Jodie Foster), commits to achieving her lifelong dream of swimming the 110 miles from Havana to Key West, Florida. This film earned Oscar nominations for both actresses!

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes our of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the City of Whitewater.

The City of Whitewater is committed to providing adequate housing for all residents, including the “missing middle” population. This includes entry-level workers, professional workers, and public employees such as teachers, police officers, and public works staff.

In an effort to address this housing need, the City’s affordable housing assistance loan program has already helped its first new homeowner. At the March 5th Common Council meeting the council approved changes to the housing policy to make applying even more accessible. Additionally, re zoning efforts have allowed for projects such as Habitat for Humanity and the Meadowview Neighborhood to be approved and are currently in development.

The City has laid out strategic goals and milestones to facilitate the creation of 50+ new family-style homes within the next five years. These new additions to workforce housing in our community are expected to support public works, school systems, and general economic development in the area.

“We are excited to see the positive impact that these new housing developments will have on our community,” said Taylor Zeinert, Interim Economic Development Director. “By providing affordable and accessible housing options for our workforce, we are helping to create a more vibrant and thriving city for all residents.”

For more information about the Meadowview Neighborhood contact 262-473-0144. If you are a developer looking to build in Whitewater call 262-473-0101.

The City of Whitewater provides efficient and high quality services which support living, learning, playing and working in an exceptional community. Visit www.whitewater-wi.gov for community information and updates.

Fort HealthCare is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to the organization’s board of directors, Lesley Baird Chapin, PsyD, and Roberta Wedl, MD.

Lesley Baird Chapin, PsyD, serves as the Vice President and Executive Director of the Pauquette Center for Psychological Services, an outpatient mental health organization catering primarily to rural Wisconsin communities. [One of the Pauquette Center’s clinics is located in the Innovation Center in Whitewater.] She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Denver. Dr. Chapin underwent pre-doctoral training at CMC Randolph Behavioral Health in Charlotte, NC, where she gained experience across various settings, including emergency department, inpatient, outpatient, and residential facilities. Dr. Chapin obtained her post-doctoral experience with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and has provided services and consultation for adults and juveniles in correctional and forensic spaces ever since. As a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) practitioner, she provides direct services, offers nationwide consulting and training, and contributes to enhancing DBT access for underinsured and Medicaid recipients in Wisconsin. Additionally, she is part of a workgroup working to enhance access to mental health services for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind communities across the State of Wisconsin. Her dedication to evidence-based practices underscores her belief in providing optimal treatment options to her clients. “Born and raised in Fort Atkinson, I have maintained a strong connection to my hometown, and I am deeply invested in ensuring quality healthcare for its residents,” stated Dr. Chapin.

Roberta Wedl, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health – Madison. Dr. Wedl completed her internship and residency at the University of Wisconsin – SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Madison. Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, she is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians. [Dr. Wedl practices family and geriatric medicine at SSM Health Dean Medical Group in Whitewater.] Dr. Wedl also brings her expertise to Fort HealthCare’s board as Chief of Staff, where she oversees the coordination of medical services and ensures the highest standards of patient care. Dr. Wedl added, “Joining Fort HealthCare’s board as Chief of Staff, I’m honored to help lead our community towards exceptional healthcare delivery, emphasizing family-centered care and preventive medicine.”

Michael Anderson, MD, Fort HealthCare President & CEO, welcomes the new members to the board of directors. Board members are chosen based on their professional skills and ability to represent the healthcare needs of the various communities within the Fort HealthCare primary service area. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Chapin and Dr. Wedl to Fort HealthCare’s board of directors. Their expertise and dedication to advancing healthcare excellence will undoubtedly strengthen our mission to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing the highest quality in healthcare,” said Anderson.

In addition to Dr. Chapin and Dr. Wedl, other Fort HealthCare board members are community representatives James Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. – Chair, Tom Vinz – Secretary, Roy Budlong – Vice Chair and Treasurer, Christopher Martin – Attorney, Carla Haubenschild, Christi Ott, and providers Bill Kontny, MD, Paul Schuppner, DO, Stephanie Nottestad, MD, and Mary Beck Metzger, DNP.

About Fort HealthCare

Fort HealthCare is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities, with a vision to be the healthiest community in Wisconsin. As the leading healthcare provider in the region, it is our goal to reach as many members of the community as possible with health and wellness messages, providing tools and resources to help individuals improve their health and quality of life while collaborating with several partners to positively improve the population’s health overall on a long-term basis. FortHealthCare.com.

Editor’s note: The above press release was submitted by Fort HealthCare.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

For the last three weeks, we featured a mid-20th century band marching in a parade. This week, how about a c.1900 band marching in a parade down Main Street? The best part about this photo are the three young boys walking in front of the band. Who doesn’t love a band in a parade! Note the ornate storefront of the corner building. It was the old First National Bank (later First Citizens State Bank).

Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.

3833P, Whitewater Historical Society