It’s not everyday that you get to sit down with a cancer survivor, a military veteran, a change-maker in the community, or a thriving high school student and get a look into what it’s like to live in their shoes. By sitting down with the members of this Region, we’re able to learn a bit more about their experiences, and also what makes them so great to have around.
It’s special moments like these that we are particularly proud to share on the GreatNews.Life sites, including Life in the Spotlights, Survivor Series, Veteran Spotlight, Leadership Life, City in the Spotlight, Voices, and more.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 feature articles on Valpo.Life to recap the good news in 2024!
A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Johanna Smith
Johanna Smith’s life has taken her on the grandest adventures across the globe, but her story begins out east in Ohio, where she spent much of her early days growing up on a farm and finding her passions through high school athletics, particularly volleyball and basketball.
Survivor Series: Cheryl Highlan
For Valparaiso resident Cheryl Highlan, it started in July of 2022 with a routine mammogram. The doctors found a lump that, when the biopsy results came back, revealed that Highlan had breast cancer. Highlan’s care team at Northwest Health - Porter quickly gave her a plan on how she was going to beat it.
Veteran Spotlight: Samuel Rogowski
The passion for helping people has guided one local man’s life down every path he has taken. Samuel Rogowski is currently the human resource generalist at Northwest Health - La Porte. Rogowski said that this might not be ideal for some, but it’s perfect for him. He loves his current job, but his long list of helping others started years before.
A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Drew Sarkisian
Drew Sarkisian, owner and operator of the Valparaiso-based erosion control and landscaping business Modern Edge LLC, is a driven individual who loves her family, her community, and her job. As the president of the Tri Kappa Iota social sorority chapter in Valpo, she leads the organization in its community enrichment projects. Sarkisian hopes to set an example for future generations of women and inspire them to pursue their aspirations.
#1StudentNWI: Washington Township High School Prom lights up the night
In early May, Washington Township High School (WTHS) had its Prom at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton, Indiana. The banquet hall was decorated with floating lanterns and purple and gold balloons everywhere, matching the “Rapunzel” theme.
The students started out the night at the high school, where they participated in the Grand March. This was the students’ first opportunity to show off their outfits and their dates.
A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Addison ‘Addie’ Hines
Valpo residents have kept Addison “Addie”Hines busy this spring with their alteration needs from prom dresses to jeans. The Valpo native recently opened The Stitchery Studio and has been hard at work since.
Hines graduated from Valparaiso High School in 2016 before beginning a degree in fashion design and business at Columbia College Chicago. She worked as a seamstress throughout college, learning the ins and outs of the craft while interning with different companies downtown. After moving back to the Region, Hines began dreaming up the looks of her own alterations store.
GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Good times in Boone Grove
The Boone Grove High School softball team has accomplished a lot this year. On May 11 at 4 p.m., the Boone Grove Wolves defeated the South Central High School Satellites 8-2 to win the Porter County Conference (PCC) Sectionals.
A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Dena Whaling
Dena Whaling, born and raised in Valparaiso, has spent a large majority of her life giving back to the community in one way or another. Alongside her Valparaiso High School sweetheart, Matt, she has become a pillar of light and hope for friends and strangers alike.
GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Valparaiso High School’s football season is underway and starting hot
Fall is here and school is back at Valparaiso High School (VHS). Friday night football is underway as VHS has started its season strong. The team has gone 4-2 in its last six games and are 3-1 in the Duneland Athletic Conference (DAC).
These last two weeks the team has beaten Chesterton High School and lost to Crown Point High School in back-to-back weeks, and are now on the road coming up against Merrillville High School looking to get back into the win column this week.
GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Morgan Township kicks off September with sports
Fall sports have begun at Morgan Township High School (MTHS), including Girls Volleyball and Boys and Girls Soccer. These MTHS teams have won countless games and are starting the fall season strong.
With all this excitement, MTHS had a pep rally on September 18 to celebrate its fall sports teams. All of Morgan Township’s students, from kindergarteners to seniors, attended the pep rally and cheered the Cherokee athletes on, accompanied by music from the MTHS Pep Band.
