Life in the Spotlight

For over 2700 students, Portage High School is a place filled with opportunity. Each of those students has the chance to enjoy a high quality education, participate in a plethora of after school activities and perhaps most important of all, get to...

If you can smell the strong scents of pumpkin spice or vanilla when walking down the hallways of Valparaiso High School, you know that Gail Mooney, our next Valpo Life in the Spotlight, is working. With her Rolling Stones posters hanging on the...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight is Will Fortenberry, a first year teacher at Portage High School and a soccer coach for the school. Fortenberry is the oldest of four children, his father and mother both worked hard to see their children...

As he peered over his professorial spectacles at his computer screen and purposefully typed emails, Jim Doane appeared to be adjusting quite well to his new role as assistant superintendent in the Valparaiso Community School (VCS) system. The former...

Cindy Berchem grew up in La Porte and learned to swim at the La Porte County Family YMCA, never imagining that one day she would be the executive director of the nonprofit organization. She took the position six years ago. Berchem graduated from the...

Have you ever met someone that you just instantly like? You know, no words have been spoken yet, but you just get a good feeling when you see the person for the first time. I felt this way about Lorrie Woycik. I sat with her behind the security desk...

Sonshine Troche has used her unfortunate life circumstances to fuel a positive drive to advocate for women who have faced similar circumstances and desperately need hope. Troche is passionate about her mission to “empower, educate and equip women...

Portage High School senior Emily Evans is the epitome of hard work and dedication. She spends countless hours at PHS in her effort to make the school a better place. “I want to leave behind a lasting impact on not only Portage High School, but the...

Are you ready to meet another interesting person? I’m pleased to introduce Adam “Boomer” Nellessen. He is the head coach for the Valparaiso High School girls cross country team, the boys swimming and diving team, and the girls track and field...

I sat in at a small table inside David's Delicatessen in New Buffalo, Michigan. Across from me was a unique and lovely individual. Her hair was dark, her smile was bright, and she wore a most excellent pair of very high-heeled sandals. Ladies and...