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Today is Thursday, November 28, 2024
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Congratulations to this year’s Jerry Award winners for their roles in the WHS Players production of Mean Girls. WHS competed against 80 other high school musicals throughout the state in a wide range of categories. The awards ceremony, on June 9th, at the Overture Center, showcases the talents of the student performers and outstanding musicals. Chacha and Cosette will be performing. Tickets ($35, or $25 for students when purchased in-person) for the event go on sale to the public May 24th by calling the Overture box office or online. There is also a virtual streaming option, which is already on sale, for a “pay what you wish” price. Please congratulate all our winners on a job well done.
2024 Jerry Award Winners
Outstanding Supporting Performance – Cosette Wildermuth-Breitzman
Spirit Award – Chacha Binagi
Outstanding Musical Direction- Liz Elliott
Outstanding Scenic Design- Jim McCulloch and Kat Dunham
Article Submitted by Jim McCulloch
Whitewater Unified School District Drama Director
jmcculloch@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Tom Ganser
The WUSD Robotics Booster Club hosted the first annual STEAM Faire at Whitewater High School on May 18. The event was free and open to the public and was designed to say thank you to the community for the support it has already offered the robotics programs in the school district. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The event featured over 30 exhibitors.
Photos are courtesy of Tom Ganser.
The following individuals from our area are among the 2,480 prospective candidates for degree attending University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee commencement exercises Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Milwaukee.
UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with over 22,900 undergraduate and graduate students.
Whitewater, WI
Nicole Tomomitsu, Bachelor of Science, School of Biomedical Sciences & Health Care Administration
Emma Van Daele, Bachelor of Science, School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology
The Whitewater Arts Alliance (WAA) invites photographers of all levels to submit their photography for consideration in the 15th Annual Fran Achen Juried Photography Exhibition.
The gallery exhibit will be held during the month of July, 2024 at the WAA’s Cultural Arts Center Gallery. The photographs in the exhibit will be displayed on the walls of the gallery and, concurrently, in an online virtual exhibit that will appear at the WAA website.
New this year: a free commemorative PDF catalog containing all of the photographs chosen for the exhibit will be produced and made available for download.
All are welcome to enter. Submissions must be received no later than Wednesday, May 29 and must include 1) a completed online entry form, 2) entry fee of $35 ($30 for current WAA members), and 3) emailed digital copies of entered photos. The entry includes submission of up to four photographs. Complete information, along with the online entry form, key dates, and rules is located at www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2024
Contacts
- Jeff McDonald, Exhibit Chair – waa.franachen@gmail.com
- Kim Adams, WAA Gallery Director – wwartsalliance@gmail.com
Awards
- First Place Award: ($150)
- Second Place Award: ($125)
- Third Place Award: ($100)
- Viewer Choice Award: ($75)
- Honorable Mention Certificates
Key Dates
- Entries, fees, and image files due: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
- Notice of acceptance: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
- Gallery exhibit Dates: July 5 – 28, 2024
- Reception and awards presentation: Sunday, July 7, 2024 ( 1pm – 4 pm), awards at 2 pm
- Viewers’ Choice Award Announcement: Sunday, July 28
Entry Fees
- $30 for current WAA members, $35 for non-members
- Fee includes up to 4 photographs
- An entrant may optionally enter 2 additional photographs (making a total of 6) for an additional fee of $20
- Photographs must receive an acceptance to be included in the exhibit.
Entry Process
- Described in detail at www.whitewaterarts.org/fran-achen-2024
An opening reception featuring the presentation of awards will be held Sunday, July 7 at 1:00 P.M. at the Cultural Arts Center where light refreshments will be served. Voting for Viewers’ Choice will continue throughout the run of the exhibit and its winner will be announced Sunday, July 28.
Jeff McDonald, the exhibit’s 10-year chair and a longtime WAA board member, said “The Fran Achen exhibition is an annual highlight. Fran Achen was a revered member of the community and an exceptional photographer. His collection of images continues to inspire. This exhibit, named in his honor, is an excellent opportunity to showcase the outstanding work created by both established and aspiring area photographers. The participation and support of many skilled artists from all over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois is greatly appreciated and is the reason for this program’s continued success. Each year brings a new crop of inspired work.”
Admission to the exhibit and its reception are free of charge, open to the public, and all are invited. The gallery is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 P.M. (Noon) to 4:00 P.M. and the website is open 24/7. The exhibit runs from Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 28.
The Whitewater Arts Alliance believes art plays a significant role in transforming the cultural fabric. It brings people together, fosters dialogue and reflection, and creates a sense of pride and ownership.
Editor’s note: The following announcement appears in the WIAC website.
MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater will participate in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship after winning regional finals on May 19.
UW-La Crosse (35-14) beat Coe College (Iowa) 9-7 in the La Crosse Regional, while UW-Whitewater (38-8) posted a 6-4 triumph over Centre College (Ky.) in the Whitewater Regional. The conference duo will meet in a best-of-three Super Regional series in Whitewater May 24-25, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Division III World Series.
UW-La Crosse posted a 19-2 triumph over Bethel University (Minn.) in its first regional contest, and dropped a 12-11, 10-inning decision to Coe College (Iowa). The Eagles rebounded with an 18-15 win over Benedictine University (Ill.) and defeated Coe 18-11 to setup a winner-take-all rematch with the Kohawks.
UW-Whitewater opened regional action with a 9-2 win over Crown College (Minn.) and followed with a 20-3 victory over California Lutheran University to advance to the regional final.
Against Centre (36-13), the Warhawks got on the board in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Sam Paden.
Centre took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on a two-run single, but UW-Whitewater quickly tied the game in bottom of the inning on a run-scoring single by Paden.
Centre grabbed a 4-2 advantage in the fifth, and the Warhawks took the lead in seventh on Paden’s double down the leftfield line that scored Andy Thies, who led off the inning with a walk. Darryl Jackson’s single to center field scored Paden, and Matt Scolan hit a deep two-run home run to right field.
Cade Hensen earned the win to improve to 4-0 on the season, while Jack Hagen worked the ninth inning for his first collegiate save.
In the clinching game against Coe (31-16), the Kohawks took a 2-0 lead in in the top of the first inning on a two-run single.
UW-La Crosse countered in the bottom of the inning on a RBI single by George Seaman and Anthony Vivian’s two-run home run.
The Eagles extended their advantage to 4-2 in the fifth inning on a solo home run from Nate Witte.
In the seventh, Mac Born had a run scoring single and was followed by Seaman’s three-run home run to right field for an 8-2 lead.
Coe scored five runs on one hit, three walks and three hit batsman in the eighth inning to get within 8-7.
The Eagles added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning on Jack Moran’s run scoring double to right center.
Isaiah Katz worked 7.1 innings to secure the win and improve to 7-5 on the year, while Tyler Schmitt recorded his first save of the season after pitching the final 1.2 innings.
Editor’s note: The bracket, which has not been completed yet as of the time of this posting, may be found here.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will be represented by 12 student-athletes at the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week. The championship meet is slated to run Thursday-Saturday, May 23-25, at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The following UW-Whitewater student-athletes are outdoor national qualifiers for 2024:
Justin Krause of Whitewater, WI (53190), who is majoring in Business Administration MBA.
Gunner Schlender of Whitewater, WI (53190), who is majoring in Physical Education.
Two Warhawk men qualified in two events. Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights) boasts the top times in Division III in the 5,000-meter run and 3000-meter steeplechase. Patzka will look to defend his 2023 national title in the steeplechase. A three-time All-American in the event, Patzka enters the championship with the top time in Division III by more than six seconds. In the 5,000, he will be joined by teammate Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion), the ninth seed, in the event. Schlender will also compete in the 10,000-meter run where he enters the championship with the 11th-fastest time in the nation this season. He captured bronze in the 10K a year ago.
Shelvin Garrett II (Beloit, Wis./Memorial) and Jordan Hall (Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn) both qualified in the triple jump. Garrett II enters as the number three seed while Hall is seeded 22nd. Garrett II is a two-time All-American in the event and was the 2023 runner-up at the national championship meet.
Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee) will look to add to his 2022 All-America honor in the 1500 this season. He enters as the 12th seed.
Ben Bojar (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) earned a spot in the 100-meter dash with his time of 10.52 seconds, good for a tie for 20th among competitors entering the meet.
Tina Shelton (Janesville, Wis./Parker) will lead the UWW women as a qualifier in multiple events. Shelton’s 100-meter dash time is tied for fourth-best in the nation this season. She will also compete in the 200-meter dash where she enters as the 16th seed. Shelton claimed All-America honors in both events last season after finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
Shelton will also run the second leg on the Warhawks’ 4×100 squad that comes in as the sixth seed. Hannah Bilodeau (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) will lead off the foursome followed by Shelton and Jacqueline Kornowski (Green Bay, Wis./Preble). Danielle Pouska (Algonquin, IL/Jacobs) will anchor the combination.
Gracie Holland (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) has qualified in her signature event, the pole vault. She enters the championship as the fourth seed. Holland is a two-time All-American in the event. She finished as the runner-up in 2022 and was fourth a year ago. Kenni Czarnecki (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) will represent UWW in the throws. She is the 11th seed in the hammer throw field.
Fans can watch the 2024 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships on ncaa.com. Selections and live results are available here.
“You lookin at me? “
Steve Watson writes, “Tree swallow in one of many nesting boxes along the Trippe Lake Trail. They twist and turn, dart about, to get a insect in their mouth.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing yet another fun nature photo.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
Obituaries
Richard Allen Splitter, age 80, of Blue Eye, Missouri, passed away November 12, 2024. He entered this life on June 16, 1944, the son of Edward and Berniece (Craig) Splitter in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Richard proudly served our country in the United States Navy for two terms. During his time in the service, he was able to get his master’s degree in engineering from California State University of Long Beach. During his working years, Richard was an engineer for different aerospace companies. He retired to Blue Eye, Missouri, and thoroughly enjoyed lake life. Richard appreciated the outdoors and loved hiking, fishing, … Read more
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Edward W. HamiltonApril 3,1941 – October 26, 2024 Edward “Edjo” Wickman Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at home. Ed was born in Evanston, Illinois and moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin with his family when he was eight years old. He attended Whitewater High School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a bachelor of science degree. He also served two years in the army. He moved to Davenport, Iowa in 1971 and worked at John Deere Davenport Works until he retired in 2001. Then he followed a dream, moved back to Whitewater and … Read more
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Verne Paul Schrank was born on March 9, 1930 at home on the family farm in Lima Township, Rock County, to Arthur and Marie (Witte) Schrank. He attended the Sturtevant one room school which closed when he graduated in 1944. He attended Whitewater High School and graduated in 1948. Verne farmed with his parents until 1967 when he moved to Whitewater and worked for the Whitewater Unified School District as a custodian – courier for 27 years. Verne served on various boards at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, as well as playing on the dartball team for many years. Verne … Read more
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After a long full life, Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss was called home to the Lord. Janine was born on April Fool’s Day, 1930 in Milwaukee. She grew up enjoying Trolleys, dancing and school with her sisters, Donna Domagalski, Marcyl Howel, Karen Moczynski and her parents, Glenn and Lucille Dickerson. In 1950, she married Frederic Weiss in a little church in Three Lakes WI. Shortly after, the first of 5 kids was born with the next 2 shortly after. Denice Lucille (Edward DeGroot), David Arthur, and Dana Lynn (Stephen Lind). After a breather Debra Beth (Alyn Jones) and Donna Raye (Dale … Read more
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Raymond Miles, 96, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Our House Senior Living in Whitewater. Raymond was born on February 10, 1928, in Elkhorn, WI to Rueben and Norma Miles. He served in the US Army. On June 18, 1955, Raymond married Waverly Sutherland in Whitewater, WI. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Livestock Dealer. In retirement, he cherished time spent with his family and remained informed on the farming community. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Waverly of Whitewater, sons Eddie of Madison and Todd (Barbara) Miles of Sarasota FL, … Read more
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Connie Jean Sukowski embarked on her next big adventure on the evening of Friday, November 8, 2024. Connie enjoyed decades of adventures with friends and family. She spent 36 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students in the Palmyra Eagle School District, working alongside many cherished colleagues and friends. Connie and her husband, Patrick Theodore Sukowski, shared 55 and a half years of marriage. Together they raised four children: Peter, Allan, Ann and Kevin Sukowski. She took great joy in watching her five grandchildren grow into amazing adults: Sonora Sukowski, Brianne Hebbe, Jared Gundrum-Sukowski, Nolan Causey, and Lore Lai Schimmel. … Read more
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Nancy Lou Hallock Cooper passed away November 8, 2024 due to complications of lungcancer. Nancy was born on April 20, 1936 in Springfield, MA to Howard and Barbara (Corliss) Hallock. As a child, Nancy spent every summer in her beloved Piermont, NH where she and her brothers “helped” the local farmer with his chores, including riding in the truck with the milk cans every morning. She enjoyed swimming in the local brooks, picking berries, going to the nearby library, visiting with cousins, and playing croquet every evening. As she grew older, she spent time as a camper and then a camp … Read more
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James Robert Trier (Jimbo), passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on December 22, 1934, in New Holstein, WI, to George and Frances Trier. He spent his later years residing in Whitewater, WI. Jim began his teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and then dedicated 55 years of his life to education as a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was the chairman of the faculty senate as well. He had a passion for math and an engaging teaching style, which made him a student favorite. He was known for telling … Read more
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Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Oct 31, 2024. He was born in Fort Atkinson, WI, on November 14, 1967 to Ponciano and Blanca Rodriguez. He graduated from Whitewater High School and continued his education at Gateway, earning a degree in marketing. He had a love for helping people and worked in healthcare for over 30 years as a CNA. He enjoyed shooting darts with his lifelong friends: Robert Bramley, Brian Quass, and Todd Piper. To know Manny, you knew he had a love for his Washington Redskins, now known as the Commanders. He loved to play … Read more
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