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 2024!
Veteran Spotlight: Jason Zaideman
As a former United States Army combat engineer, overcoming obstacles was a big part of Jason Zaideman’s job. Now, he dedicates his time to aiding fellow veterans in overcoming mental obstacles due to trauma experienced while serving.
Growing up, Zaideman looked up to his dad, a Vietnam veteran. He found inspiration in his upbringing to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve his country.
#1StudentNWI: Hooping through the holidays at River Forest High School
Basketball season continues on, and the River Forest High School Boys and Girls Basketball teams have put things in motion for their seasons. The Boys and Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV) Basketball teams have participated in the River Forest Holiday Tournament and left with multiple victories. These student athletes made many staff and community members proud as they put their all out on the courts.
#1StudentNWI: Hobart High School Brickies are back from break and better than ever!
Hobart High School (HHS) students are back in school and are ready to finish off the school year. The first semester concluded on December 20 and was followed by a two-week winter break. With that said, the second semester is a great chance for students to reset and start fresh.
#1StudentNWI: LC is ready to see brave students and staff shave their heads for a great cause
Some of the students from Lake Central High School’s (LC) freshman and sophomore English classes, as well as some broadcasting students, had the opportunity to take a quick trip to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on February 26. They were able to experience an outstanding performance of “Romeo and Juliet” during the school day.
The group departed from LC during first period to head to the city. The students and two chaperones, Teachers Kristina Collard and Ella Swinney, were greeted by staff from the theater and taken directly to their seats.
Veteran Spotlight: Samuel Rogowski
The passion for helping people has guided one local man’s life down every path he has taken. Samuel Rogowski is currently the human resource generalist at Northwest Health - La Porte. Rogowski said that this might not be ideal for some, but it’s perfect for him. He loves his current job, but his long list of helping others started years before.
A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Gretchen Mercer
Nothing beats the feeling of helping out others that need it the most. That’s the theme for Gretchen Mercer as she helps guide children of Northwest Indiana in the right direction.
Mercer was born in a small town called Huntingburg in the southern part of Indiana. She would end up going to college at DePaul University and then furthered her education at Indiana University for graduate school as a speech pathologist. Since her early childhood, she has been very experienced in communicating with others in different ways.
A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Andrea Hogan
Andrea Hogan has had an inspiring journey, from being a former student in the School City of East Chicago Public Schools to becoming the principal of Washington Elementary School.
Hogan's roots in the city run deep – she went to Washington Elementary and is a part of East Chicago Central High School's inaugural class of 1987.
A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Ryan Peterson
Developing relationships are critical to become successful in plenty of careers. Ryan Peterson has made the most of his connections and loves to assist everyone he has met along the way.
Born in Crown Point, Peterson went to school in Schererville. He graduated from Lake Central High School in 2001 before continuing his educational journey at Purdue University Northwest, where he would receive his Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Survivor Series: Ty Artherhults
For Ty Artherhults, the first signs of cancer came in the fall of 2021. Artherhults was experiencing bowel problems and other significant symptoms, which led him to see Dr. Hector Marchand, Jr. in Valparaiso. Around Christmas, Marchand ran tests on Artherhults and had him do a colonoscopy. Artherhults would be diagnosed in February of 2022 with Stage 3 colorectal cancer.
GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Chesterton High School prepares for football and fun
With fall comes the slow-paced back-to-school season as well as the always-exciting and forever-entertaining high school football season. Chesterton High School (CHS) has had quite an amusing football season thus far.
The Trojans hosted its first conference game on August 23 where the team battled the Hobart High School Brickies and won 27-9. The following week, the Trojans traveled to Hammond Morton High School and beat the Governors 36-23. After a tough loss at home to the Michigan City High School Wolves, the Trojans came prepared and defeated the La Porte High School Slicers at La Porte’s Kiwanis Field the following week with an outstanding score of 28-7.