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 NWI.Life to recap the good news in 2023!
#1StudentNWI: Merrillville High School kicks off the new year
Merrillville High School (MHS) just wrapped up the 2022 calendar and is starting off the new year after the holiday break. Students are back in school after enjoying winter break, having returned on January 9. Before Christmas, many clubs decided to give back both within the walls of the high school and to the citizens of Merrillville.
Y.E.S Interact club, due to COVID-19, has not been able to visit senior citizen facilities and bring the holiday joy through Christmas carols and gift giving. This year after getting approval, the Y.E.S Interact club was able to prepare gift bags with Christmas cards, socks, snacks, and toiletries. The members were able to take a field trip to deliver the bags and bring happiness for the season.
#1StudentNWI: Crown Point Journalism Department goes to Franklin College
Crown Point High School (CPHS) recently held its annual Turnabout Winter Formal. The dance was held at Avalon Manor.
“It was so much fun. I got to spend time with my friends, and I had so much fun getting ready. There were less people, and it was in a fancier place with a lot more room to dance,” sophomore Mckenzie Poer said.
A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Chris Pappas
While people grow throughout their lives, discovering their own passions and interests as they go, It’s even more special when a parent’s passions become their child’s passions as well. The restaurant business has always been a big part of Chris Pappas’ life. His family has been in the restaurant business for nearly 55 years, and he was surrounded by a love of cooking his entire childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, the choice was simple.
“I was born and raised in the restaurant business. Daycare was literally the restaurant for me. I was always brought to work with my dad, and I’d hang out in the restaurant all the time. I've truly grown up in the business, and it’s what I’ve been used to my entire life. I knew it was going to be a good career fit for me,” said Pappas.
#1StudentNWI: Reading up on January at Morton High School
For entertainment purposes after a long winter break, Morton High School is hosting a winter ball for all students. The theme celebrates rites of passage and speaking to the dead. It will be a night when students come up with elaborate outfits fitting the formal evening wear and a mask to make it mysterious.
The masks had many uses such as hiding one’s identity and using different colors to express freedom of speech to voice one's emotions and opinions without judgment. Masquerades are a way to promote high fashion to the public, becoming a game for guests to figure out each other's identities.
#1StudentNWI: Coloring careers with the cosmetology class at the Hammond Area Career Center
Students from the Hammond Area Career Center (ACC) competed at Regionals for SkillsUSA this past weekend. The ACC students were sent all over the Region to compete in different competitions. Students went anywhere from Elkhart to Merrillville for their specific competition. They competed in events for life skills such as mock job interviews, speeches, welding, video making, crime scene investigation, and cooking.
These competitions allowed students to see what areas they excelled in as well as see where they needed to improve. This also let students better prepare for the state competition coming up in April. At this point in the semester, students are working on fine-tuning their skills for internships and competitions to further put their names on the map. At Regionals, all ACC students placed and will be moving on to the state competition.
#1StudentNWI : Whiting High School prepares for spring with sports, break, and senior one acts
Whiting High School (WHS) has been extremely busy lately with conditioning for spring sports, preparing for break, and the annual senior one act plays.
WHS spring sports are now in season; softball, tennis, baseball, and boys golf all have been working hard to ensure they can put their best foot forward this season.
#1StudentNWI: Chesterton High School says “Herzlich Willkommen” to German foreign exchange students
Chesterton High School (CHS) recently said “Herzlich Willkommen” or “Welcome” to a group of 18 German foreign exchange students visiting the United States. Students enrolled in CHS’s German foreign language course were able to form close bonds with their respective German partners as they embarked on their new adventure.
While here, the American hosts explored Chicago and areas in Northwest Indiana to share a glimpse of day-to-day life in the United States. The students were able to gather together and meet up frequently over the course of their stay. The group also partook in bowling, a dinner party game, and a school lock-in at Michigan City High School.
#1StudentNWI: Schereville’s festivals, fireworks, and fabulous females
The summer events everyone has been waiting for have finally made their way to Schererville. Schererville Parks and Recreation works hard to put on the “Celebrate Schererville Fest'' year after year. This year’s Schererville Fest took place June 7-10 at Redar Memorial Park. The last day was supposed to be June 11; however, it was canceled due to inclement weather.
This amazing festival had something for everyone, no matter the age. Tickets and wristbands were available for purchase all throughout the days. The park was filled with a variety of rides and carnival games. The festival even added a new ride to the group this year: the Zipper. Along with the attractions, there was a stage for live entertainment. Some of the bands that played were The Sting Rays, Dick Diamond & the Dusters, and Rocky Road Band.
#1StudentNWI: Lake Station Kicks This Summer Off With A Blast!
The residents of Lake Station Indiana have spent their first few weeks of summer enjoying the sun and spending time with loved ones. Riverview Park opened its pool for everyone in Lake Station to enjoy a nice day at the pool and snacks.
Throughout the town, many different homes, families, and businesses have hosted rummage and garage sales of all kinds. Many use these summer days as an opportunity to rid themselves of unwanted or unused items.
A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Charles Beard Jr.
Charles Beard Jr. strives to share his knowledge and experiences with the next generation when it comes to photography.
From schools to sports, Beard Jr. has served as a freelance photographer in both Indiana and Illinois. He has done photography work for organizations such as Varsity Views, Grad Images and GreatNews.Life.