Life in the Spotlight

When Linda Mendez reports to work each day, she has the satisfaction of knowing that she is making a difference in people’s lives by helping them become healthier and live longer. Mendez, the Portage Township YMCA Fitness Coordinator, has 30 years...

I met Kathryn Orr at a coffee shop in Valpo. The first thing I noticed about Miss Orr was her infectious smile. She cheerfully introduced herself to me, and we sat down to discuss a very interesting topic: her. Orr is a sophomore at Purdue University...

Mark Harsha, a teacher and coach, is striving to change the lives of the future generations. Harsha has to balance coaching, teaching and family. He is the epitome of hard work. With a lot of determination and compassion he wants to make a difference...

Ken Layton, Kenny as he is widely known, has spent 46 years of his life in public service. He will officially retire at the end of this year, when he completes a term as La Porte County Commissioner. Layton won’t miss the estimated 500 plus pancake...

Portage High School sophomore Max Harsha has wasted no time in making a difference in his high school. Harsha, who just started his second year at PHS, has a list of accomplishments and involvements that would rival most seniors. Harsha is dedicated...

In the Administration Office right next door to Kesling Middle School in La Porte lies the office of Dr. Glade Montgomery. He is the Superintendent for La Porte Community Schools. Though Dr. Montgomery is a very busy man, he still took time out to...

Being passionate about helping the homeless, raising money for scholarships and finding the time to share Spanish culture with the community are reasons why Carlos Rivero of Don Quijote Restaurant & Imports is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight....

Even though Rick Soria just received the Vice Chancellor position at the Ivy Tech Community College in Michigan City, he has already established a well-known role in and around Northwest Indiana. He is very excited about his goals for Ivy Tech and...

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...