A Portage Life in the Spotlight highlights people around our community who go the extra mile to make Portage a better place to live.
If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, someone who is truly doing great work in the community, in a school, in a church, on a team, or in an organization, send us an email at share@portagelife.com and we'll add them to our continually growing list of people to highlight in our community.
May 2019 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
April 2019 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
March 2019 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
February 2019 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
January 2019 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
December 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
November 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
October 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
September 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
August 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
July 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
June 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
May 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
April 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
March 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
February 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
January 2018 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
December 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
November 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
October 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
September 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
August 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
May 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
June 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
May 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
April 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
March 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
February 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
January 2017 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
December 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
November 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
October 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
September 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
August 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
July 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
June 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
May 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
April 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
March 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
February 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
January 2016 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
December 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
November 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
October 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
September 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
August 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
July 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
June 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
May 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
April 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
March 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
February 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
January 2015 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Dolores Chelf - volunteer
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Amanda Kennedy - PHS student teacher -
Amber Alexander - Portage Township YMCA
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Carrie Ann Carlson - PHS Orchestra Director
December 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Helen Hoock - volunteer
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Andrea Flynn - teacher -
Ed Gottschling - Veteran
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Alexis Pena - PHS student
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Mike Lovings - Lovings Heating and Cooling
November 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Lydia Gerike - PHS Student -
Bob Arvidson - Veteran
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Jennifer Dennison - IUN
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Cyndee Tokash - PHS Teacher
October 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Lauren Winicky - PHS Student
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Donovan McKiddy - PHS Teacher -
Lynn Reed - City of Portage
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Mike Plance - Arcelormittal
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Yuuki Guzman - PHS Student Teacher
September 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Ron Zuilkowski - Portage Fire Department -
Ela Pascua - PHS Student
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John Zack - PHS Assistant Principal
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Thomas Gaulandi - Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC)
August 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Dr. Richard Weigel - Portage Schools Superintendent -
Kathy Blackburn - South Haven Public Library
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Tylor Hudson - Portage High School Student
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William Timmerman - PHS Band Director
July 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Linda Lemond - Retired PHS Teacher
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Amanda Alaniz - Central Elementary Principal -
Jennifer Sass - Portage High Scchool
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Natalie Franks - Willowcreek Middle School
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Mason Hooper - PHS Grad
June 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
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Steve Letic - Portage Boys and Girls Club -
Sandra Spacek -Pick 6 Initiative -
Mayor James Snyder - Portage Mayor
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Lori Sanchez - Hammond Mail Carrier
May 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Mellissa Miles
Portage High School Music Boosters
Marsha Leonard
Rittenhouse Senior Living
Dave Lesich
South Haven Principal
Mariah Blackwell
Portage High School
April 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Keith Brutout
Independent Missionary Network
Terry Hardin
Portage Jaycees
Ken Miller
Crossroads Family Church
Judy Kukelka
Rittenhouse Senior Living of Portage
Chuck Moseley
State Representative
March 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Tricia Catlin
Brentwood at Hobart
Rita Jackson
Indiana Dunes State Park
Heather Augustyn
Northwest Indiana Times
Nicole Barker
Save the Dunes
February 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Andrew Koch
Indiana University Northwest
Toni Williams
AmeriCorps
Brian Bumgardner
Indiana Dunes State Park
Mike Krutz
Merrillville High School
January 2014 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Theresa Evans
Kyle Elementary School
Joe Stempien
Fegely Middle School
Courtney Joseph
PHS Student
Chris Aungst
Portage YMCA
Bruce Lindner
Porter County Aging and Community Services
December 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Marsha Moore
Portage Christian Church
Jim Wheeler
Willowcreek Middle School
Natalie Kolosci
Portage's Civic Dance Center
Debbie Clem
McCool, Blake, and James Schrock Cemeteries
November 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Paige Pizer
Portage High School
Hunter Martinko
Portage High School
Tyler Goodman
South Haven Boys and Girls Club of Porter County
October 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Jim Fitzer
PEDCO
Kenyota Rollins
Captain of PHS Football Team
Meaira Bennett
Drum Major of PHS Marching Band
Jennifer Long
Fundraiser, Leukemia Survivor
Brandon Miller
Portage Resale Shop
September 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Hannah Medina
Portage High School
Rachel Major
Miss Teen Indiana
Cory McKim
Portage Youth Basketball President
Jeff Reeder
Reeder’s Auto Service Center
August 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Dawn Price
Portage Township YMCA
Jennifer Wszolek
Nativity of Our Savior School
Michelle Duca
Kibble Kitchen Pet Pantry
Ross Bunchek
Portage Township YMCA
July 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Kevin Morgan
Portage Imax 16 General Manager
Victoria Obrec
South Haven Elementary, Portage Parks, Portage Home Depot and Indiana University
Lori Wilkie
Financial Analyst, Event and Volunteer Coordinator for City of Portage
Shaunna Finley
Principal of New Vistas High School
Janis Regnier
Lewis-Schmidt Law Officer of the Year
June 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Jeremy Gordan
Portage YMCA Assistant Wellness Coordinator
Haley Hodges
Portage High School Class of 2013
Alana Ingersoll
Portage Chamber of Commerce
Aaron Schmick
Portage Junior Miss Softball League President
May 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Andrew Corona
Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church Pastor
John Johnston
Portage High School Junior ROTC Instructor
Sandra Corso
PHS Health Teacher
Matt Bliss
Portage High School Class of 2014
Bob Dixon
Portage Assistant Baseball Coach
April 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Kevin Giese
PHS Theatre Director
Sue Lynch
Portage City Council President
Denise Stewart
Recovering Cancer Patient
Heather Zengler
Portage High School Class of 2013
March 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Rick Snodgrass
Portage High School Boys Basketball Coach
Nick Jordan
PHS Legend Editor-in-Chief
Mackenzie Barcelli
PHS Senior, 2013 All-Around Gymnastics Stats Champion
Heather Castle
PHS Chemistry Teacher
February 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Mark Monks
Portage Police Officer
Eric Mesarch
PHS Outstanding Young Man 2013
John Peterson
Midwest Family Federal Credit Union President and CEO
Amanda Haupt
Portage High School Class of 2014
January 2013 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Bonnie Naperala
St. Mary’s Medical Center Lab Phlebotomist
Cathy Nye
PHS History Teacher, NHS Adviser, Quiz Bowl Adviser, Academic Team Adviser
Fallon Pugh
PHS Senior
A.J. Monroe
Portage Director of Public Works
Pam Passera
Portage Parks Department Recreation Director
December 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Tiffany Woloszyn
PHS Senior, National Honor Society President
John Arredondo
PHS Social Studies Teacher, Assistant Boys CC Coach, Assistant Girls Track Coach
Jenny Orsburn
Superintendent of the Portage Parks and Recreation Department
Lorrie Cohen
PHS Library Media Clerk
November 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Eileen Hyatt
Portage Dog Park Facebook Page & Hyatt Photography
Rachel Stewart
Class of 2013 PHS Distinguished Young Woman
Lil Falk
Crisman Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher
Michael Lemond
Retired PHS Teacher & Coach, Portage Exchange Club, St. Lutheran Church
October 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Caren Swickard
Portage High School Principal
Max Harsha
Portage High School Sophomore Class President
Mark Harsha
PHS Teacher and Coach
Linda Mendez
Portage Township YMCA Fitness Coordinator
Tim Engel
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
September 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Todd Strom
Assistant Athletic Director at Portage High School
Scott Hufford
Principal of Crisman Elementary
Emily Evans
PHS Senior
Will Fortenberry
PHS Social Studies Teacher and Assistant Boys Soccer Coach
August 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Mitch Barloga
Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission
Dr. Debra Dudek
PTS Director of Title and Special Student Services
Ashley Severs
PHS Girls Soccer Coach
Shannon Burhans
eState Owner
Mary Tracy
PTS Assistant Superintendent
July 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Ted Uzelac
Portage City Councilman
Lexi Elisha
PHS Class of 2011, Recording Artist
Nicki Monahan
PHS Senior
Dave Kasarda
Executive Director of the Portage Township YMCA
June 2012 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Phil Misecko
Fegely Middle School Principal
Brendan Clancy
Clancy’s Irish Pub Owner
Jennifer Smolnicky
Portage Jazzercise Center
Larry Tharp
PHS Wrestling Coach, Teacher
2011 Portage Lives in the Spotlight
Grant Monahan
PHS Athletic Booster Club President
Mike Martinez
Founder of Hannah's Hope
Michael Berta
Portage Township Schools Superintendent
Diana Rivera
PHS Athletic Secretary