Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

A Valpo Life in the Spotlight highlights people around our community who go the extra mile to make Valparaiso a better place to live.

If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, someone who is truly doing great work in the community, in a school, in a church, on a team, or in an organization, send us an email at share@valpolife.com and we'll add them to our continually growing list of people to highlight in our community.

 

May 2019 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Debby Deu
• Mark Ennes
• Cory Kennedy
• Coming Soon!
• Coming Soon!

 

April 2019 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Robert Carnagey
• David Kerr
• Audrey Krooswyk
• Luke Savage

 

March 2019 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jeanne Sommer
• Nancy Stalbaum
• Alyse Kominakis
• Cassidy Stewart

 

February 2019 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Cheryl Short
• Kris Pilweski
• Nancy Brown
• Ann Kessler

 

January 2019 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Ed Uehling
• Becky Jascoviak
• Tom Longhi
• Monica Clark
• Sammy Constantine

 

December 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jeff Degeneffe
• Sami Hatagan
• Lisa Kusbel
• Terrence Price

 

November 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Tammy Rose
• Greg Gavagan
• Jeff Brown
• Holly Taylor

 

October 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Polly Pozzo
• Stacey Kellogg
• Michelle Andres
• Kim Olesker
• Jamie Haney

 

September 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Judy Kukelka
• Michael J. Uzelac, D.D.S.
• Donna & Jim Henry
• Lisa Formosa-Parmigiano

 

August 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Josh Stowers
• Kelly Asbell
• Madison Fielder
• Bob Kasarda

 

July 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Faith Graves
• Cheryl Highlan
• Maddie Royter
• Lisa Baisden

 

June 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Anne Marie Rini
• Megan Blanton Vittetoe
• Nathan Dolan
• Allison Hadley

 

May 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Terri Dickus
• Scott Holmen
• Carlett Rennalls
• Sarah Choate
• John Norris

 

April 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• John Viehl
• Valerie Groth
• Todd Wooten
• Tracy Corneil

 

March 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jenna Francesconi
• Rachel Smith
• Bob Moulesong
• Sarah Fink

 

February 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jonathan Ray
• Diane Stevens
• Kellie Pierce Newton
• Kari Brockway
• Horb Family

 

January 2018 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Chuck Welter
• Anthony McDonald
• Kacie Ensign
• Jessie Casas

 

December 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Amesha McDonald
• Crystal Cartwright
• Vic Mercaldo
• Ryan Kominakis

 

November 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Michele Murphy Wise
• Todd Evans
• Jane Grennes
• Jose Rios
• Caren Furdeck

 

October 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jake Wells
• Courtney Gavin
• Judith Neville
• Karin Woodside

 

September 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jason Kegebein
• Eric Jones
• Pablo Bukata
• Jessica Burkman

 

August 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Haiying He
• Lida Williams
• Nicole Graves
• Ellen Demartinis
• Ann O'Heir

 

July 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Edna Ostafinski
• Kyle Felke
• Tim VerSchure
• Zathoe Sexton

 

June 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Arzola Kwiatkowski
• Molly Phelps
• Chad Dutz
• Despina Liaskos
• Lisa Mathis

 

May 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Bob Jacobs
• Kelly Longhi
• Cameron Banga
• Barak Coolman

 

April 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Samantha Williams
• Chuck Gutzwiller
• Rin Seibert
• Bill Brittain

 

March 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jacob Gomez
• Kris Shultz
• Helene Pierce
• Mary Olsen
• Rudy Moyado

 

February 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Dave Zell
• Connie Bretscher
• Jim Tapocsi
• Bill Donohue

 

January 2017 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Brittany Fozkos
• Justin Savich
• Jeff Coggins
• Leann Wright

 

December 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Mary Moreno
• Allison Andersen
• Kelly Johnson
• Crystal & Marie Olympidis

 

November 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Matt Vessely
• Chuck Harris
• Jeni Elkins
• Amanda Facer
• Aimee Tomasek

 

October 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Mike Avery
• Maggie Freeman
• Laura Gutzwiller
• Ben Lieske

 

September 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jane Scupham
• Beth Fletcher
• Christopher Fields
• Scot MacDonald

 

August 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Michael Haney
• Mary Martinez
• Lynette Murphy Will
• Julia Rohde

 

July 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Melissa Marshall
• Ruth Cavanaugh
• Mary Beth Schultz
• James Gammon

 

June 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Patrick Truax
• Jon Barrett
• Chuck Vamos
• Ahna Dunn
• Matt McCann

 

May 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Bill Keegan
• Steve Mockler
• Chris Ebert
• Mia Baker

 

April 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Alison Martin
• Minakshi Ghuman
• Paul Labovitz
• Steve Hedges

 

March 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Jessica Corral
• Joe Kusiak
• Mark Roscoe
• Cheryl Polarek
• Cathie Dull

 

February 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Edward Byrne
• Hunter Huber
• Mark Heckler
• Joe Claesgens

 

January 2016 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Steve Johnson
• Bryan Truitt
• Chris Wellsand
• Don Wright

 

December 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Ryan Wright
• Mike Brown
• Jarrod Hunte
• Anya Goeders
• Greg Karras

 

November 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Patricia Bengert
• John Catrino
• Jennifer Wright
• Lance Bella

 

October 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• August Hatter
• Father Kevin McCarthy
• Dr. Rod Gardin
• Makayla Ferrari

 

September 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Natalie Girman
• Officer Paul Czupryn
• Walter Martin
• Sue Balentine
• Erin Roeske

 

August 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Sandie Kritenbrink
• Rainer Neis
• Susan Brychell
• Linda Schonbachler

 

July 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• John McGuire
• Lionel Young
• J.J. Peller
• Jesse Harper
• Daniel Sherman

 

June 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Julia Weiss
• Mary Sikorski
• Mike Porter
• Dr. Anand Popli

 

May 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Kay Magnetti
• Elias Crim
• SFC Kyle Leonard
• Gloria Zimmerman

 

April 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• Lisa Starkey
• Dr Rob Behrend
• Homer Drew
• Christian Hanna
• Jennifer Smith Villarreal

 

March 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• John Kolb
• Allyson "Izzy" Murphy
• Ben Flohr
• John Tomczak

 

February 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

•  Paul Schreiner
  Project Neighbors
• Drew Paul
  VHS Senior
• Darlene Perry
• Taija Jackson

 

January 2015 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

•  Cathy Brown Brown
  Valpo Velvet
• Richard Marrell
  RLM Tissue Bank Prosthetics
• Tom Szmagaj
  litigation specialist
• Sarah Dooley
  playwright

 

December 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Jane Strayers - VCS Teacher

• 
  Garner Tullis - Our Greater Good

• 
  Tina St. Aubin - Valparaiso Events
• 
  Jill Ritchie - Indiana Beverage
• 
  Lynda Galbiati - VCS Teacher

 

November 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Carl Neis
  active community member

• 
  John Wolf
  WWII Veteran
• 
  Kate Brogan
  VHS Student
• 
  Wendy Gates
  Culver's

 

October 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Analisa Warring
  Regional Federal Credit Union

• 
  Barb Spitler
  Porter County Education Services

• 
  Mike Blythe
  Blythe's Sporting Goods
• 
  Peggy Burnell
  Volunteer
• 
  Tina Morales
  VHS Teacher

 

September 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Ben Lamb
  GracePoint Church

• 
  David Muniz
  TJE Principal
• 
  Michael Newhard
  Bartholomew Funeral Home
• 
  Lauren Covington
  VHS Teacher

 

August 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Barbie Johnson
  Valpo Parks

• 
  Lee Baker
  Valpo YMCA
• 
  Kelley Schott
  AMA Design & Print
• 
  Eric Brant
  Chicago Street Theatre

 

July 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Chris Sandberg
  Sandberg's Towing

• 
  Kaitlin Nash
  Valpo Grad 

• 
  Lyndsay Herbst
  College Student
• 
  Rachel Niemi
  Dayspring Women's Center
• 
  Barb Kubiszak
  St. Agnes Adult Day Care

 

June 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Jessica Kristin Wells

• 
  Christie Thomas
  Opportunity Enterprises 

• 
  Norma Serrano
  Excellence by Design
• 
  Heather Henderlong
  Extra Mile Fitness Company

 

May 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Rocco Schiralli
  Porter-Starke Services
  
• 
  Erica George
  Flanagin's Bulk Mail Service
• 
  Mary Herrod
  Memorial Opera House
• 
  Mary Spruitenburg
  Valparaiso Kiwanis Club

 

April 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Chriselle Waters
  Valparaiso High School Teacher
• 
  Kaye Frataccia
  Empower Porter County
• 
  Lovelyn Palm
  Listen to Your Mother Director
• 
  Nancy VanVolkenburgh
  Director of Clinical Services at Family & Youth Services Bureau
• 
  Adam Shoemaker
  Valparaiso High School student

 

March 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Aaron Leavitt
  Valparaiso University Athletics
  
• 
  Michael Glorioso
  United Way of Porter County
• 
  Elaine Merkel-Johnson
  Porter Regional Hospital
• 
  Heather Harrigan-Hitz
  Empower Porter County

 

February 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Maggie Dougherty
  Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County
• 
  Heather Kelly
  Rittenhouse Senior Living
• 
  Mike Daly
  United States Postal Service
• 
  Al Lackey
  Kids Alive International

 

January 2014 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Bryce Drew
  Valparaiso University Mens Basketball
• 
  Monica Flanagin Decker
  Flanagin's Bulk Mail
• 
  Walter Lenckos
  Porter County Parks & Recreation
• 
  Linda Gurgel
  Porter County Triad
• 
  Chris Behrendt
  Porter County Triad

 

December 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Jeni Bolton
  500 Turkeys
• 
  Greer Brown
  VHS ASAP
• 
  Kim Eldridge
  MDwise
• 
  Katie Lenard
  VHS Phys Ed Teacher

 

November 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Caroline Koenig
  VHS Speech & Debate
• 
  Monica Glass
  Montessori Academy of Valparaiso
• 
  Megan Gauler & Olivia Birky
  The Bo Foundation
• 
  Alec Peters
  Valparaiso University

 

October 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Carolyn Flahive
  Opportunity Enterprises
• 
  Barb Ransom
  Montessori Academy
• 
  Neil Samahon
  Metro Recycling
• 
  Paul Knauff
  Valpo School System
• 
  Darrin Selking
  Landscape Illumination

 

September 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Greg Farrall
  Valparaiso Rotary Club
• 
  Tammy Hofer and Denise Koebcke
  Team LEAD Program
• 
  Miguel Rosario
  VHS Band Director
• 
  Jack Hines
  Hines Plumbing

 

August 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Dr. Brooke McAfee Clements
  McAfee Animal Hospital
• 
  Jordan Counter
  TJ Middle School
• 
  Ray Tarnow
  St. Paul Catholic School
• 
  Joe Otis
  Valparaiso High School

 

July 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Dr. Steve Volanti
  McAfee Animal Hospital
• 
  Dan Pritchett
  Retired VHS Band Director
• 
  Lindsey Robbinhurst
  Robbinhurst Golf Club
• 
  Steve Kearney
  Duneland Schools
• 
  Dan Steiner
  Steiner Homes

 

June 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  April Beres
  Region Rat Rollers
• 
  Sue Brown Nickerson
  Calumet Region Striders
• 
  Joe Baker
  Porter County Career Center
• 
  Dan McGuire
  Valparaiso Parks Department

 

May 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  John Mosser
  VHS Class of 2013
• 
  Chrys Davis
  Nurse Practitioner at Innovative Women’s Health
• 
  Bill Wellman
  Marine Corps Veteran
• 
  Reggie Flesvig
  Kent's Run, Boone Groove HS
• 
  Jan Rubsam
  Valpo ATA

 

April 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Megan Murrell
  Vale Park Animal Hospital
• 
  Christi Brooks
  Opportunity Enterprises
• 
  Gerry Hundt
  Local Musician
• 
  Donna Flanagin
  Flanagin Bulk Mail

 

March 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Devin Bafia
  VHS Class of 2013
• 
  Peyton, Xavier, Connor, Andrew, & Corey
  VHS Cross Country
• 
  Lydia
  Kouts Elementary School
• 
  Lindsey Springer
  Professional Cellist

 

February 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Nat Finn
  NWI Social Media
• 
  Gordana Sormaz
  VHS Journalism & English Teacher
• 
  Zebulun Barnow
  Blue Man Group
• 
  Ruth Woodhall
  Porter Regional Hospital

 

January 2013 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Katie Hines
  PNC Student
• 
  Darlene Cohn
  D. Cohn Communications
• 
  Brad Cavanaugh
  Air One Photography
• 
  Donna Golob
  PATH
• 
  Ashley Boyer
  Lakeshore Paws

 

December 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Todd Henderlong
  Extra Mile Fitness Company, Lake Mortgage
• 
  Kathy Sipple
  My Social Media Coach
• 
  Greg Engstrom
  Engstrom Jewelers, Ameripawn
• 
  Mike Prow
  VHS Boys Cross Country Coach

 

November 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Beth Wrobel
  Executive Director of HealthLinc
• 
  Michael Essany
  Seven on Ridge host
• 
  Jeanette Gray
  VHS Girls Basketball Coach
• 
  Kathy Levandoski
  VHS Athletic Trainer

 

October 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Gail Mooney
  Alternative Education Teacher
• 
  Carolos Rivero
  Don Quijote Restaurant
• 
  Kathryn Orr
  PNC Sophomore
• 
  Jon Groth
  Porter County Career Center
• 
  Steve & Julie Dalton
  Cross Country Parents

 

September 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Bob Phelps
  Video Production Instructor at Porter County Career Center
• 
  Adam “Boomer” Nellessen
  VHS Coach
• 
  Lorrie Woycik
  Special Olympics Advocate
• 
  Jim Doane
  VCS Assistant Superintendent

 

August 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  Wade Breitzke
  27 Entertainment
• 
  Renee Blosky
  Owner of Lifestyles
• 
  Reid Amones
  VHS Principal
• 
  Lorie Cook
  VHS Gymnastics Coach
• 
  Diane Warren
  Washington Township School Guidance Counselor

 

July 2012 Valpo Lives in the Spotlight

• 
  JT Hoyo
  Region Sports Desk
• 
  Herb Hofer
  VHS Athletic Director
• 
  Dave Coyle
  VHS Football/Baseball Coach