It’s not everyday that you get to sit down with a cancer survivor, a military veteran, a change-maker in the community, or a thriving high school student and get a look into what it’s like to live in their shoes. By sitting down with the members of this Region, we’re able to learn a bit more about their experiences, and also what makes them so great to have around.
It’s special moments like these that we are particularly proud to share on the GreatNews.Life sites, including Life in the Spotlights, Survivor Series, Veteran Spotlight, Leadership Life, City in the Spotlight, Voices, and more.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 feature articles on LaPorteCounty.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
#1StudentNWI: Michigan City High School students are getting back to work after Christmas break
One of Michigan City Area School’s (MCAS) biggest and best known events took place on December 8. “One City One Sound” is important to the music students throughout the community because it brings together all of the music programs throughout MCAS.
Choirs from Michigan City High School (MCHS), Barker Middle School, Krueger Middle School, and all of the elementary schools performed alongside bands from MCHS, Barker, Krueger, and a joined sixth grade elementary band to put on a show for their community that was filled with Christmas cheer.
#1StudentNWI: Swinging into the new semester at Westville High School
Westville High School (WHS) students just recently enjoyed their Christmas break and are getting back into the rhythm of things. It is a new semester, and that means many students are in new classes.
“I learned a lot last semester, but I’m excited for my new classes and getting ready to learn more,” said Senior Onyx Spurrier.
#1StudentNWI: Sticky note bandit on the loose at La Porte High School
La Porte High School (LPHS) has recently hosted its annual Steiner Homes Boys Basketball Holiday Tournament. It lasted from December 28-30.
It hosted teams from all over the Northwest Indiana region such as Logansport Community High School, LPHS, John Adams High School, Lowell High School, and Lake Central High School.
#1StudentNWI: Second semester is starting strong at Marquette
The Spring Break trip to Peru has been changed due to a state department advisory that recommends tourists reconsider traveling there as stated by Principal Casey Martin.
The trip will now be visiting three different destinations in Switzerland, Italy, and France. This trip will be hosted by Education First (EF) tours and will last 11 days over Spring Break.
#1StudentNWI: Honoring La Lu students’ accomplishments
The month of February was eventful for the Lakers!
Spirit week ran from February 6 to February 10 with a range of themed days including Wear Your Pajama Pants Day, Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher Day, and a Pink Out! All of these days were suggestions from students that are involved in the Activities Council.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Richard Vyse
After years of following their passion across the country, Richard Vyse and his wife Terri brought their business endeavors right to the heart of La Porte when they became the owners of Haverstock Funeral Home in town.
“We've both been in the funeral business—we’re both licensed funeral directors in multiple states. We’ve operated funeral homes in Florida and West Virginia,” he said. “It was fun working for someone else, but we always wanted to own our own place. For many years, we've been wanting to own and operate our own funeral home.”
#1StudentNWI: New Prairie is going cougar crazy about summer!
As New Prairie High School (NPHS) has free time this summer, many athletic teams are taking advantage of this time and preparing for their futures. Cougar Camps are one-to-two-week long camps that many athletic teams organize for kindergarteners to eighth graders to have fun while learning about the activity and the rules while also partaking in the sport.
The majority of sports at NPHS offer a Cougar Camp, from co-ed camps with golf and tennis to both Boys and Girls Basketball offering individual camps for a more individualized experience. One of the most enjoyed aspects of the camps is that high school students that are actually on the team volunteer to teach the kids.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Alice Tallackson
Alice Tallackson’s strong passion for learning, teaching, and bringing learning into the community earned her the title of Elementary Teacher of the Year within the La Porte Community School Corporation. Tallackson has been teaching for 37 years and is grateful for the recognition this title comes with.
“Even at a very young age, when I started school, I loved my teachers, and I loved learning,” Tallackson said. “It started in childhood. I always wanted to be a teacher.”
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Steven Forker
With a family history of law enforcement and a strong desire for building community, becoming chief of police at the Michigan City Police Department is a calling Steven Forker has passionately embraced. While he now believes that being chief is exactly what he is meant to do, serving in this position was not always on his radar.
“I'm excited to serve as the chief of police in Michigan City, but it’s nothing I really imagined myself doing; I kind of fell into this role. It has given me an opportunity to surround myself with good people involved in the community,” Forker said. “Ultimately, we just want to make this a safe, prosperous community where we can have positive relationships between the police community to make this a great place to live and to grow your family.”
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Beth West
Doctors appointments, grocery shopping, visiting with friends and family, and attending community events are just some of the things citizens of La Porte would not be able to do without help from the public transit system, TransPorte.
Beth West serves the community as the director of TransPorte. West is passionate about ensuring everyone within La Porte has equal opportunity and access to doing the things they want and need within the city.