If you were to ask Paul Hines how he felt about himself, he would give you a short and simple answer. “I feel like I have a very charmed life,” Hines said. “I don't think that it can get much better than this.” Hines’ contentment in life...
It is a phrase we all know but it is something that Colleen Lee holds dear to her heart. “You can't call it to work if it is doing something that you love.” For Lee, both her jobs are what she was meant to do with her life. During the day, she is...
When you ask Kyle Ayling about his life story, both he and his wife say: you wouldn’t believe it if they told you. Ayling’s life also perfectly embodies the phrase: if at first, you don't succeed, try, try again. Before Ayling got to where he is...
If you were to ever ask Jen Wilson how she was, she could answer you three different ways. Wilson is proficient in French and Spanish, and a native English speaker. Her passion for language came from studying both of them throughout...
No matter where she is, Judy Alders has a driving focus. “I am always up for new adventures, but I hope wherever I am that I am always helping someone,” Alders said. Alders started volunteering in 2008 when she worked for an organization...
The people who were once Alexandria Howard’s teachers and mentors are now her coworkers. The Portage High School grad turned teacher is three years into the job and loves it every day. “It is still weird to hear them call me by my first name,”...
Mike Sopko has education on his mind pretty much all the time. It certainly helps that his wife is also in education so there is never a lack of conversation for it. Sopko, principal at Kyle Elementary School in Portage, said he’s glad his life...
Since the 8th grade, Wayne Straka has had an interest in history above all other classes. As time went on, his interest continued to grow leading him to take course after course. Right before he left for college, he decided he wanted to pursue one...
Janice Flatz has a motto: if there is something to be done, she would always be happy to help. “Everyone is capable of helping and everyone is good at something. I think everyone should volunteer and do whatever they can for others,” she said....
Mike Black may be a bit of a crazy sports fan at heart, but he also takes his passion and helps make the community better. Black, who now serves at Athletic Director at Hobart High School, grew up around sports. His father was a basketball coach in...
