Teachers, neighbors, coworkers, family members, mentors, friends, coaches. Whoever the people in your life may be, they can always use a bit of encouragement and recognition for the difference they are making in others and in their community. We were able to shine the spotlight on hundreds of lives in the Region that continue to make their corner of the world a brighter place.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 Life in the Spotlight articles on LaPorteCounty.Life in 2021:
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Angela Orta
Imagine being so dedicated to your craft that you become skilled at each and every position in your place of employment. While this feat sounds like a dream for most, this is Angela Orta’s real life in the restaurant industry.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Julie and Jake West
Julie West turned her nightmare into a force for good. In honor of her late son Jake, West fights for education, early detection, and awareness of undetected heart diseases in children because she knows Jake would have done the same.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Sara Hicks
If you attended All About the Girls Part Six last month, you could tell everyone brought their A-game when it came to style, both with clothes and with hair. This included host Jenny Craig-Brown, who rocked an incredible faux-hawk that many adored, which was styled by none other than La Porte native Sara Hicks.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Nancy Moldenhauer
Nancy Moldenhauer’s decades of service have inspired people all over the Region. She works in serving two primary areas of interest: environmentalism and human rights, and she has been involved in organizations that focus on these two areas. She sees herself as a connector between individuals in the community and various organizations, further cementing her status as a true helper of humanity.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Kurtis Erwin Iseminger
“Community and togetherness is something we need in the modern world, so it is important that we find ways to foster and cultivate that.”
This is what La Porte native Kurtis Erwin Iseminger had to say about the idea of community service. He has been involved with the city and its activities for years and shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Jaymee Penrose
Jaymee Penrose is the founder and owner of the local nonprofit Calling All Angels. Penrose is a nurse but used her free time to start the nonprofit. Penrose started Calling All Angels around two years ago after reading a story on Facebook about a couple in need of assistance.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Scott Templin
“The core of any mission is commitment.”
This is what Scott Templin had to say about working in service of his community. He believes that no matter what role you are in, you owe it to yourself to be proactive and create your own purpose.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Kevin McGuire
Kevin McGuire is the Director of Technology for Michigan City Area Schools. McGuire has been in the field since 1995 and has had a job in the school system since 1999. As the director, along with day-to-day tasks such as managing the technology, McGuire also manages all the employees in the department.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Nichole Sheaffer
“Woodworking has thousands of years of rich history spanning as far back as humanity’s origins. The science of the craft and its mechanical aspects really draw me to learning more about it.”
This is what Nichole Sheaffer had to say about her experiences with learning woodworking. Together with her fiancé, Chris Grohs, she runs a shop in Michigan City called Terrawood Design & Custom Wood Craft. She states that she is currently still learning many things about the craft, but she has a lot of support helping her carry on.
A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Craig Shaman
Craig Shaman lives and breathes sports. Currently working as the Athletic Director at Michigan City Area Schools, Shaman has over 25 years of college and high school coaching and athletic administration experience. Shaman knows well that the heart of sports is people and the relationships they create and foster.