Life in the Spotlight

Judy Gehrels, general manager of Uptown Social in Michigan City, brings a wealth of experience and a deep sense of community to her work. From her creative beginnings as a scriptwriter and drama team leader to her current role managing one of...

Eric Plath, a 17-year-old junior at Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City, Indiana, holds several unique achievements spanning academics, athletics, music, and community service. Excelling in his journey to leading a successful rock band...

Raised in foster care in a small town in central Illinois, Shannon Fernandez spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a household where birthdays and holidays were not celebrated. Rather than let her upbringing define her, Fernandez used...

For David and Debra “Deb” Pratt, teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a shared passion that has defined their lives and careers at Purdue University Northwest (previously Purdue University North Central). Deb Pratt started her journey at...

From drawing and working with pastels as a child to discovering a love of photography in high school, Kaylee McQueen has always been passionate about the arts. What started out as a hobby transformed into a calling when she decided to launch her own...

Kasey Hoag is the owner of Six Cypress Boutique in downtown Valparaiso. She hasn’t always held that title, however, because she used to work for Ford Motor Company. Moving to the Region and then spending six months as a stay-at-home mother...

A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Ken Bult Ken Bult considers himself a renaissance man doused in the arts. Music, literature and photography have been at the forefront of Bult’s professional and personal life, even in retirement. He wants to...

Tony Leal is a chef, entrepreneur, and community advocate who has made a lasting impact on the dining scene in La Porte, Indiana. As the owner of Tony’s Table, he combines a passion for cooking with a dedication to fostering community connections....

Matt Harrington always hoped to make a difference in the world one day. Today, as the president and CEO of LOGAN Community Resources, Inc., he’s doing just that — leading an organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and...

Carol Haller is a sixth-grade teacher in Valparaiso. She’s been teaching for almost 40 years at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Her lasting effect as an educator has been felt for decades.  Haller grew up in Michigan City and attended Rogers...