Programmers Place First at Marquette University Contest
19-04-2018
Loading Events...
Twenty-four Whitewater High School computer programmers traveled to Marquette University for their annual programming competition on Wednesday, April 18. Students worked in groups of 2-4 for three hours to solve a series of problems of varying difficulty. Each time a team submitted a correct solution to the judges, their team was presented with a color coded balloon to indicate they had solved a particular problem. Over 400 students from southeast and south-central Wisconsin competed in either Scratch (for newer programming students) or Java (for older, more experienced programming students). The team of Cole Kinson, Zach Brantmeier, Nick Kuzoff, and Cassi Hoxie placed first in the Java division, solving seven problems correctly, each on the first try. Each student on the winning team was awarded a 22” monitor, and the team brought home the traveling trophy to display for the next year.
Ferradermis members Zach Brantmeier, Wesley Salverson, and Cassi Hoxie presented on the team for the Kiwanis at their breakfast meeting on Tuesday, April 17. The Kiwanis were one of the team’s original supporters, and they have been there for the team throughout the first two years. The students shared information on the team’s progress this year and stories of their victory at the Wisconsin Regional in Milwaukee, their trip to the Seven Rivers Regional in LaCrosse, and their travel plans for the FIRST Championships in Detroit next week. Ferradermis greatly thanks the Kiwanis for their continued financial support and this morning’s $500 donation.
The Athletic Department has two big fundraisers happening this week. All students received a coupon for a deal at Jersey Mike's which runs through Wednesday. Students have a coupon for a “free” sub with a $2 donation to Whippet athletics. Also, the Booster Club auction is this Saturday. If you're still interested in buying tickets, you can do so from Jeff Behrens in the main office for $10. Each ticket will get you into the event with free food and beverages. There are raffles, silent auctions, bean bag games to win prizes, a roulette wheel to win prizes, and a live auction with some really great items. Tickets also serve as raffle tickets with an opportunity to win up to $1,000. You do not need to be present to win, so even if you can't make it on Saturday, you can still buy a ticket for a chance to win some cash. 
On Saturday, April 14, a recognition luncheon was hosted at Monona Grove High School to honor students and teachers earning Herb Kohl Educational Foundation awards. Those being recognized included WHS Senior Connor Steinke, Excellence Scholarship recipient, and WHS teacher Kate McNulty and WMS teacher Carmen Behrens, Teacher Fellowship recipients. Greeted by a standing ovation, former Senator Herb Kohl shared his story of growing up in Milwaukee as the son of poor immigrant parents who operated a closet-sized grocery store. His parents instilled in him and his siblings the value of education and the opportunities that it would afford them. Senator Kohl expounded on the role public education played in shaping his life and how it offered the roots for the successes for himself and his siblings. Mr. Kohl's inspirational words added sincere meaning to the awards being presented.
Departing the high school at 8:15 a.m., 35 Spanish IV students traveled to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art to view how life impacts art on Thursday, April 12. As a part of our unit on immigration, the students' main objective was to view an installation by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, Talking Continents. It is a walkthrough exhibit of suspended steel forms constructed of welded letters and symbols representing multiple languages and cultures. The depiction of people traveling from different places in the world, bringing their culture with them, demonstrates the hope that many feel as they immigrate to new places in the world. Interestingly, the pieces representing people were all faceless in an effort to remove the stereotypes that often occur when we see a person's facial features. Students watched a portion of a movie that demonstrated another artistic outlet for sharing some of the struggles people who immigrate encounter. Students visited other exhibits at the museum and learned that art can represent many social issues and sometimes literally can be looked at in many ways. One of the final pieces we saw filled us with pride. It was a large oil painting of a chicly decorated room created by former Whippet David Bushman, WHS Class of 1963. Students enjoyed lunch on State Street before a final stop at the Chazen Museum of Art on the UW-Madison Campus. There, students independently toured the exhibits as they sought out pieces of art that spoke to them. Students will write descriptions in Spanish during class to share their thoughts about the pieces they selected. We were very fortunate to see a sculpture at all stages by Pablo Picasso. We saw his initial drawing, the mock sculpture made of paper, and the final piece carved and shaped from bronze. It was a very art filled day and the students represented WHS very well. Shout out to retired art teacher Mrs. Brigham-Schmuhl who volunteered to accompany the group. Her breadth of knowledge and enthusiasm for art was a true asset to our day.