Twelve Watertown High School students took part in the 2024 National German Exam, with over half winning awards. Achievement awards for better than average performance went to Elisabeth Huhn (Level 2); Kenny Pettitt, Sara Rodriguez Machado, and Brad Vick (Level 3); and Alex Chamberlin (Level 4). Silver medals for scoring above the 80th percentile nationwide went to Emily Page (Level 4) and Jack Zoellick (Level 3). Connor Hawes earned a gold medal for scoring above the 90th percentile nationwide in the Level 4 exam. Great job to all!
Congratulations to Watertown High School seniors Jacob Johnson and Addison Schuch for being named Herb Kohl Educational Foundation award recipients!
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation recently announced 304 Wisconsin students, teachers, and administrators are the recipients of the organization’s 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership awards. Student Excellence and Initiative Scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded to 187 graduating high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence and initiative and have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership in their community.
The Kohl Foundation award program was established by Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator, philanthropist, and businessman who died December 27, 2023. Since 1990, the foundation has awarded nearly $38 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.
For the 12th year running, the Watertown High School Music Department has earned a spot among the Best Communities in Music Education from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. So many #WatertownWay accomplishments to be proud of!
A new initiative at Watertown High School designed to recognize students and staff who exemplify their Gosling spirit by going above and beyond to be good citizens has been given wings. The first Gosling Flight Feathers were awarded Monday by WHS Associate Principal Jennifer Bault to five worthy students. Last week, a total of 16 students and five teachers were nominated to receive a Gosling Flight Feather. Each week, all nominees will be included in a raffle with five names drawn to win a certificate and prizes. The Gosling Flight Feather first prize drawing winners were Ximena Ruiz, Andre Lejia, Oliver Geraths and Samantha Yelk. Not pictured: Jack Daniels.
WHS Art Student Rae Heier was selected as the Grand Prize Best in Show award winner at this year’s State Youth Art Month exhibit for her painting “All Trails Lead to You.” The show was held at East Towne Mall last month and included hundreds of artworks that were selected to advance from regional exhibits around the state. Heier’s painting was chosen for the top honor by a panel of judges from the Wisconsin Art Education Association. Heier was recognized during the awards ceremony along with art teacher Dave Pawl, who submitted her work. Both received prizes from Blick Art Materials, sponsor of the award. Congratulations to Rae and Mr. Pawl!
The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education has hired Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) of Milwaukee to conduct a facilities master planning study to determine the current and future needs of public school buildings in Watertown. Representatives from PRA were in Watertown on Friday to walk both Schurz Elementary School and Watertown High School with district staff. Key areas that will be studied include the condition of roofing, mechanicals, windows, building safety – both interior and perimeter, internal building layout, and best practices for evolving classroom space needs.
The Douglas Art Club students, under the guidance and instruction of their Art teacher, Mrs. Templin, recently presented pieces they had created to the Watertown Regional Medical Center. Pictured, Douglas Art Club members explain and display their pieces before donating them to the WRMC for display. Community connections make Watertown a GREAT place to live and learn! Shout-out to Mrs. Culp for making the connection, Mrs. Templin for inspiring our artists to do amazing work, and the ARTISTS for working so hard to create beautiful pieces to brighten the days of patients at WRMC!
The Visual Arts Classic Team from Watertown High School competed in State at UW Madison last month and took 3rd Place out of 62 teams. The team brought home 14 Gold medals in individual art making categories and also took 3rd Place in Team Art History Quiz Bowl. Team members include Evan Rodriguez, Brylnee Simon, Dayanara Sanchez, Annie Van der Linden, Ava Lueck, Payton West, Ryley Wolfe, Danielle Krahn, Rae Heier, Kaylee Roberts, Lyle VanGundy, Olivia Sorenson, Isaac Van Buren, and Onyx Elkins. Congratulations! #WatertownWay
The WHS Academic Decathlon team recently competed in the Wisconsin Academic Decathlon State Championships in Green Bay. Our Gosling decathletes won the WIAD Division I State Championships for a remarkable sixth time in program history, bringing home 13 team and individual medals!
The championship team consists of William Wrolstad, Sophie Sullivan, Rae Heier, Abby Bartz, Amelia Boer, Braden Holleman, Emily Page, Gavin Stivarius, Bradley Vick, John Klinger, Alex Helmke, and Erin Peterson.
Way to go, Goslings!
Today is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Thank you to the many amazing paraprofessionals working within the Watertown Unified School District for all they do for our students and teachers!
Webster Elementary School 4th graders recently enjoyed a visit from former Webster Wildcat and current college student, Luis Avila Vette. Luis shared his experience and knowledge of farming with the class. He talked with the students about the history of agriculture, farm challenges, animals, crops, and equipment. He also shared many facts and answered questions from the curious students.
Watertown High School seniors Rae Heier, Graeson Mihalko and Ava Roberts have been selected as Watertown Rotary Club students for the month of April.
Heier, Mihalko and Roberts are being recognized for their academic achievements, participation in athletics and school organizations, and their contributions to the Watertown community. The students are invited to join the Rotary Club each Monday at its weekly luncheon meetings.
About the students:
Rae Heier is the daughter of Josh and Stacie Heier. Rae has been a member of the Girls Varsity Swim Team and Varsity Track and Field Team for her four years of high school. Rae has also been involved in the following: National Art Honor Society (President), Spanish Honor Society (President), National Honor Society, INTERACT (Vice President), and Ecology Club (Vice President). Rae is also a member of the Academic Decathlon Team and the Visual Arts Classic Team. Recently, Rae was honored for her work receiving “Best in Show” at this year’s Wisconsin Youth Art Month Show. In her free time, Rae is a barista at Latte Donate and is planning on attending a four-year university next year.
Graeson Mihalko is the son of Katy Mihalko and Ron Mihalko. Graeson has been a member of the Boys Golf team for four years. He has also been involved in Spanish Honor Society and HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Graeson has also been a volunteer at Cornerstone of Grace. He is currently working at Milford Hills and plans on attending a four-year university.
Ava Roberts is the daughter of Stephen Roberts and Kristen Roberts. Ava has been a four-year member of the Watertown Blue Revue Varsity Dance Team (Captain) and National Art Honor Society. She has also been involved in National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society (Secretary). Ava is currently working as a physical therapy tech and a lifeguard. After high school, Ava plans on attending UW-Madison to study Kinesiology and Spanish.
Third graders at Webster School participated in a March Madness tournament this month! Students completed daily multiplication fact timed tests and a champion was named from each homeroom. On Friday, the three classroom champions competed in a final round and Daeshawn Holmes was named the 2024 Champion, winning his own NCAA basketball signed by the entire third grade class. Runners up were Gavin Stukenberg and Sophia Helser. Also awarded were the most improved players during the tournament: Harper Dayton, Jack Heller, and Chase Williams. All of our #watertownway third graders showed growth in multiplication facts this month, and we are proud! Way to go, Wildcats! 100% Every Day!
The WHS Varsity Baseball team is off to a 1-0 start to the season…kicking things off in Florida during Spring Break!
Douglas 3rd graders were able to get out and enjoy the snow from our recent winter storm during recess on Friday!
Douglas 3rd Graders recently competed in the Battle of the Books…reading 15 books as teams of 3, and answering questions about what they had read. The students were so excited to read, read, read and battle!
The 4th and 5th graders from the district had fun at Skate Express for the afternoon on Friday after doing an amazing job in their choir concert on Thursday evening!
On Friday (3/22) WHS German 8 students expanded their study of history beyond the classroom through a virtual connection with the German Historical Museum in Berlin. A German-speaking docent led them through political developments and figures in Europe between 1648 and 1790. Using artifacts from a previous exhibit at the museum, he explained the leaders, events and thinking of the period. Students enjoyed the live connection, being able to use their German, and viewing the historical artwork and objects.
Congratulations to our WHS students who made High Honor Roll during Trimester 2! To qualify for High Honor Roll, students must earn a 3.5 or higher. It's the #WatertownWay!
Congratulations to our Endeavor Charter School students who made Honor Roll during Trimester 2! To qualify for Honor Roll in Endeavor, students must earn a 3.2 or higher. It's the #WatertownWay!
