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.
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...
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...