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 Michiana, 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 Michiana.Life to recap the good news in 2024!
#1StudentNWI: John Adams brings back the Snow Ball
On February 4, John Adams High School’s 2023 National Honor Society (NHS) chapter passed on its legacy to the 2024 chapter. The induction ceremony commenced with introductions by Cecilia Stanton-Verduzco, leader and organizer of NHS, along with a few words by 2023 Chapter President Michael Camilleri.
As the ceremony went on, speeches were made by the preceding officer, who then passed the role onto the upcoming officer. Officers of the 2023 chapter discussed how each pillar – character, leadership, scholarship, service – impacted their time and efforts in NHS, while the 2024 chapter members discussed how they would implement each pillar. After each pair finished their speech, they completed the ritual of passing the torch to display the passing from one leader to another.
#1StudentNWI: Medical Magnet students at Washington are on track to a bright future
In February, the Washington High School (WHS) Medical Magnet program collaborated with Indiana University of South Bend (IUSB) and Gear Up South Bend, a grant program intended to prepare students for college and careers. They joined forces to host the first “I Love Health Sciences'' luncheon, in which students were offered multiple benefits pertaining to their future in the medical field.
Medical Magnet is a program that offers dual-credits for students and prepares them for college and leads to their certification in the medical field. Students receive hands-on experience in healthcare or scientific research. The program provides essential knowledge that will be helpful to students interested in pursuing a medical license.
#1StudentNWI: Prom season is in the air at Clay High School
Clay High School’s (Clay) rendition of “Urinetown" was performed in the auditorium April 18, 19, and 20. “Urinetown" was the final musical put on by Clay’s theatre group. Although bittersweet, many alumni, students, and staff went to support their school’s theatre production one final time.
A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Phil Blasko
Driven by a passion for community and a desire to raise his family in his hometown, Phil Blasko has been serving as the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Superintendent for the past eight years.
After graduating from Mishawaka High School, Blasko went on to Defiance College in Ohio, where he played basketball and earned a Bachelor of Science in sports management.
GreatNews.Life Student Voices: South Bend hosts annual Leeper Park Art Fair
The St. Joe Valley Watercolor Society held its 57th annual art fair this June, attracting artists and admirers to Leeper Park in South Bend. This was an amazing opportunity to appreciate the beautiful weather while enjoying a stunning artwork display.
Tents and booths were stationed at the park on June 15 and 16 featuring an array of creations from over 80 artists. Booths were full of multimedia pieces which included paintings, illustrations, photography, clay, woodwork, jewelry, and sculptures.
A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Stephanie Krol
Stephanie Krol aspired to live in Chicago and build a career at a leading public relations (PR) agency. She not only fulfilled this ambition but also surpassed her own goals. For the past 18 years, she has successfully led her own PR practice.
Growing up in Garfield Heights, Ohio, Krol was always captivated by the stories of others and hoped to help share those narratives one day. She pursued this passion by studying journalism and marketing at Ohio State University.
Veteran Spotlight: Joe Scida
The son of a United States Navy man, Joe Scida grew up all over the country in varying cities and states based on his dad, John’s, station. With most of his upbringing in Hawaii, Scida graduated from high school in upstate New York. In September of 1981 on his 19th birthday, Scida enlisted in the Navy.
A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: C. Todd Cummings
Dr. C. Todd Cummings' journey from teaching to becoming the longest-serving superintendent of the South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC) in 25 years is a testament to his dedication to education.
Growing up in Southern Indiana, Cummings attended Laurel High School until his family relocated to Kokomo during his senior year. He completed his high school education at Western High School before heading to college and earning his teaching license through Indiana University Kokomo.
Carrying each other ‘forward’
This story first appeared on Rhonda Schrock's blog on September 5.
It happened on a gorgeous September night. The starter’s gun fired, and hundreds of running feet took to the course.
The pack was running fast. Standing at a break in the trees, we watched eagerly for our first sighting of The Cub, youngest of our four sons and a senior. And there he came, looking strong.
A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Brianna Reshan
For Brianna Reshan, teaching is a source of great fulfillment and an opportunity to leave a positive impact on students’ lives. Initially, she was drawn to the idea of teaching kindergarten, but she found a true passion for working with fourth graders at Hums Elementary School.
A graduate of Penn High School in Mishawaka, Reshan began her higher education at Indiana University South Bend with the intent of studying psychology. However, in her sophomore year, she realized that pursuing a degree in elementary education would be a better fit for her.