Life in the Spotlight

For Alexandria “Ally” Shinkan, theatre is more than a stage — it’s a transformative space where individuals of all ages can discover their voice, build confidence and connect with others. Hailing from Munster, Ind., Shinkan’s passion for...

For Kara Thornberry, teaching was more than a career choice. From an early age, she knew that the classroom was where she wanted to be. She would often play "school" with friends and siblings growing up, eventually leading to her lifelong...

James Solarek and his wife have been heavily involved with foster care affairs since 2012. In 2019, they launched Michiana Family Center, a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance and support to foster children and adoptive families. Solarek...

Dustin Nelson is the principal at Northview Elementary School, part of Valparaiso Community School corporation. He graduated from Portage High School in 1994, when he began carving his own path in the world of education. In December of 1998, he went...

Judy Gehrels, general manager of Uptown Social in Michigan City, brings a wealth of experience and a deep sense of community to her work. From her creative beginnings as a scriptwriter and drama team leader to her current role managing one of...

Eric Plath, a 17-year-old junior at Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City, Indiana, holds several unique achievements spanning academics, athletics, music, and community service. Excelling in his journey to leading a successful rock band...

Raised in foster care in a small town in central Illinois, Shannon Fernandez spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a household where birthdays and holidays were not celebrated. Rather than let her upbringing define her, Fernandez used...

For David and Debra “Deb” Pratt, teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a shared passion that has defined their lives and careers at Purdue University Northwest (previously Purdue University North Central). Deb Pratt started her journey at...

From drawing and working with pastels as a child to discovering a love of photography in high school, Kaylee McQueen has always been passionate about the arts. What started out as a hobby transformed into a calling when she decided to launch her own...

Kasey Hoag is the owner of Six Cypress Boutique in downtown Valparaiso. She hasn’t always held that title, however, because she used to work for Ford Motor Company. Moving to the Region and then spending six months as a stay-at-home mother...