A Valpo Life in the Spotlight highlights people around our community who go the extra mile to make Valparaiso a better place to live.
If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, someone who is truly doing great work in the community, in a school, in a church, on a team, or in an organization, send us an email at share@valpolife.com and we'll add them to our continually growing list of people to highlight in our community.
Katie Lenard - VHS Teacher
Kim Eldridge - MDwise
Greer Brown - VHS Student
Jeni Bolton - 500 Turkeys
Alec Peters - Valparaiso University Student
Monica Glass - Montessori Academy of Valparaiso
Caroline Koenig - VHS Student
Darrin Selking Landscape Illumination, Inc.
Paul Knauff - Retired Principal
Neil Samahon - Metro Recycling
Barb Ransom - Montessori Academy
Carolyn Flahive - Opportunity Enterprises
Jack Hines - Owner, Hines Plumbing, Inc.
Miguel Rosario - VHS Band Director
Tammy Hofer and Denise Koebcke - Two Valpo Teachers
Greg Farrall - Coach. President. Campaign Chair. Financial Advisor. Husband. Father.
Joe Otis - Valparaiso High School
Ray Tarnow - Crown Point High School and St. PaulCatholic School
Jordan Counter - Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Doctor Brooke McAfee Clements - McAfee Animal Hospital
Steve Kearney - Calumet Region Striders
Lindsey Elderkin - Marketing and Outings Coordinator for Robbinhurst Driving Range
Dan Pritchett - Retired VHS Musical teacher
Steve Violanti - McAfee Animal Hospital
Dan McGuire - Superintendent of Recreation at Valpo Parks
Joe Baker - Porter County Career Center
Sue Brown-Nickerson - Calumet Region Striders
April Beres - Region Rat Rollers
Jan Rubsam - Owner of Valpo ATA Black Belt Academy
Reggie Flesvig - Kent's Run Organizer, Boone Grove High School Teacher
Bill Wellman - Vet
Chrys Davis - Nurse Practitioner at Innovative Women’s Health
John Mosser - Valparaiso High School Class of 2013
Donna Flanagin - Owner of Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service
Gerry Hundt- Local Musician
Christi Brooks - Opportunity Enterprises
Megan Murrell- Vale Park Animal Hospital
Lindsey Springer - Professional Cellist
Lydia , Eight Year Old Philanthropist
Peyton Reed, Xavier Reed, Connor Ritzi, Andrew Jankowski and Corey Alfredson- VHS Cross Country Team
Devin Bafia - VHS Class of 2013
Ruth Woodhall- Porter Regional Hospital Food Service Professional
Zebulun Barnow - Blue Man Group
Gordana Sormaz - VHS Journalism & English Teacher
Nat Finn - Northwest Indiana Social Media
Ashley Boyer - Lakeshore PAWS
Donna Golob - A Positive Approach to Teen Health
Brad Cavanaugh - Air One Custom Photography
Darlene Cohn - D. Cohn Communications
Katie Hines - PNC Student
Mike Prow- VHS Boys Cross Country Coach
Greg Engstrom - Owner of Engstrom Jewelers, Engstrom Home Furniture, Engstrom Auctions & four Ameripawns
Kathy Sipple - Owner of My Social Media Coach
Todd Henderlong - Extra Mile Fitness Company & Lake Mortgage
Kathy Levandoski - VHS Athletic Trainer
Jeanette Gray - VHS Girls Basketball Coach
Michael Essany -Best selling author, host of “Seven on Ridge”
Beth Wrobel - Executive Director of HealthLinc
Steve and Julie Dalton - Parents & Active Community Members
Jon Groth - Director and Principal of Porter County Career and Technical Education Center
Kathryn Orr - PNC Sophomore, VHS Graduate
Carlos Rivero - Owner of Don Quijote Restaurant
Gail Mooney- Alternative Education Teacher
Jim Doane- Former VHS Principal, Current VCS Assistant Superintendent
Lorrie Woycik- Former Porter County Special Olympics Coach, Current Security Desk Attendant at VHS
Adam "Boomer" Nellessen- Coach for VHS Girls Cross Country, Boys Swimming and Diving, and Girls Track and Field
Bob Phelps- Video Production Instructor at the Porter County Career and Technical Center
Diane Warren- Guidance Counselor at Washington Township High School
Lorie Cook- Head Gymnastics Coach at Valparaiso High School
Reid Amones- Principal at Valparaiso High School
Renee Blosky- Owner of Lifestyles
Wade Breitzke- Owner of 27 Entertainment
Dave Coyle- Head Football Coach at Valparaiso High School
Herb Hofer- Athletic Director at Valparaiso High School
JT Hoyo- High School Sports Broadcaster, Public Address Announcer, Owner of Region Sportsdesk
Julie Moore- Business and Marketing Teacher at Washington Township High School
Colleen Zana- Founder of Valparaiso Theatrical Company
Caroline Shook- Chief Executive Officer of Housing Opportunities
Greg Simms- Government and Economics Teacher at Washington Township High School
John Seibert- Director of Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation
Joanne Maynard- Founder of First Contact Ministry
Justin Schafer- Fifth Grade Teacher at Parkview Elementary
Judy Commers- Marketing Teacher at Porter County Career and Technical Center
Bonnie Stephens- Principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School