Northern Indiana is full of people working hard every day to make their communities a better place. Since 2011, GreatNews.Life has been putting the spotlight on the people spreading this positivity in the Region with our Life in the Spotlight series. New articles are published every Wednesday, so be sure to check back often to learn more about the stories of great people doing great things in Northern Indiana.
For 25 years, Dee Dee Gerber has been a dedicated educator within the School City of Mishawaka. As an English teacher and instructional coach at Mishawaka High School, she brings a deep passion for literature and writing that traces back to her own...
Portage native Tina Vaclavik has found her passion for helping others through her work in nursing. Currently working at Methodist Hospital’s Gary location, Vaclavik has spent almost three decades in the field and absolutely loves what she does each...
Brendan Kerrick and his childhood friend Anthony Cioe have turned their shared passion for filmmaking into an internet sensation. Both marketing students at Purdue University Northwest, they have conjured shrieks and squeals from nearly two million...
Dr. Kim Scipes of Purdue University Northwest has lived a life defined by transformation, advocacy, and commitment to social justice. From his humble beginnings to his influential career as a global labor scholar, educator, and activist, Scipes has...
Kevin Wallace grew up just an hour north of Columbus in Mansfield, Ohio. His undergraduate studies were completed at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, near Warsaw. Currently, he is the fourth-grade teacher at Central Elementary School in...
Living out the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA) promise “to help other people at all times,” Kaiden Santos, a dedicated member of BSA Troop 45 in Crown Point, Ind., has achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Scouting....
Jeffrey Hellmers used to live in Lincoln City down in Southern Indiana, hailing from the same region as Abraham Lincoln. He attended Heritage Hills High School. He was part of a play there that helped him understand his liking for working with the...
In the quiet beauty of a Sicilian garden, young Marcello Marino first discovered the transformative power of food. As he watched his grandmother nurture her vegetables with care, he learned that cooking was a way to connect with the earth, with...
With 38 years in education, Bonnie Guest is a cherished mentor throughout Northwest Indiana and is known for her commitment to students, families, and the community. She has become a passionate advocate for children’s education, particularly in...
With years spent working in higher education and nonprofit leadership, Sam Centellas’ career has been defined by a passion for community. Now, as the executive director of CDFI Friendly South Bend, he continues to bring positive change to the...