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.
La Porte City Council Member Lauren Huffman has spent her career empowering others and making a tangible impact on her community. From her beginnings in criminal justice to her current leadership role at the Indiana Department of Transportation...
Jeff Balon grew up just outside of Valparaiso. He spent his younger years living on a farm in rural Jackson Township but later attended Chesterton High School. He’s wanted a career in law enforcement since he was little. After graduating from high...
Monique Maldonado’s accomplishments over the years are nothing short of incredible. As a wife, a mother of two, a beauty pageant winner, an author, a Latin dancer and instructor, and a blogger, the East Chicago native has a laundry list of...
Becoming a leader doesn’t always come naturally, but this doesn’t make the leadership any less impactful. Jiselle Chabes is pushed by her family and past experiences to continue becoming the person she needs to be for herself and her teammates....
The arts and music are important in education and community engagement. José Moreno believes in the power of music, and as the president of Portage LIVE!, he’s determined to highlight Portage as a hidden musical gem. As a young child in the 1960s,...
It’s not too often that you find a job that makes you feel like you're living your dream, but for Shelley Becker, that’s exactly how she feels as director at LoveWay, an equine-assisted service organization. Though she has always had a heart...
Erika Robinson-Watkins has a strong sense of pride for the Region, especially her hometown of East Chicago. After spending some time away while at college, Robinson-Watkins realized she couldn’t stay away for too long. Robinson-Watkins...
It’s no secret that technology dominates nearly every aspect of our lives. From phones being seemingly glued to our hands to the rise of artificial intelligence altering how we perform daily tasks, there are many out there who simply want to be one...
Gina Jackson is a dedicated educator and mentor who has spent her career at La Porte High School inspiring students both in the classroom and beyond. With a background as a Spanish teacher, Jackson has a passion for helping students embrace diverse...
Pictured: Dana Kurzawinski (left) and Toni Casson (right) Creating a family-oriented environment where children can express themselves freely is the essence of Toni’s Dance Academy. Dana Kurzawinski has been fueling this dream for several decades,...