Life in the Spotlight

Claudia Airey graduated from Indiana University Northwest (IU Northwest) in 2018 and received a degree in communications with a focus in public relations. During her years at IU Northwest, she interned at various places in the Valparaiso area and...

Ben Zimmer is an entrepreneur and employer in Valparaiso, being very active in his industry as an agent and founder of Ethos alongside being involved in the community directly. Most of Zimmer’s family were involved in education as teachers and...

Kris Krouse is a father, husband, and executive director at Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT). Krouse has been the executive director since 2005 and since then, has noticed a drastic increase in the societal appreciation of the Northwest Indiana...

Lorri Zimmer is a Wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation who is extremely passionate about what she does day in and day out. Zimmer has been a Wish granter since the mid 80's starting in the Illinois sanction before moving...

Joan Grott has been an extension educator in 4H youth development at Purdue for a total of 19 years now, maintaining a successful career as a non-profit program administrator.  “It’s just a great experience, and it’s entirely volunteer...

Mary DeBoer spent her adolescence growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1985, DeBoer graduated high school from Loy Norrix High School and later that year, began her college educational path at Western Michigan University (WMU).  At WMU, DeBoer...

Dell Knickerbocker, owner of The Sax Clinic in Valparaiso, has lived in the spotlight for most of his life. His passion for music began as a child when he would listen to records with his older brother and blossomed throughout his high school career...

William Scharp has been with True North Training Stables, an organization that provides equestrian therapy to at-risk youth and their families, since 2014. He serves as the original treasurer and a mentor to the kids who visit. Every day is new for...

Cara Brown-Benjamin is an eighth-grade grammar teacher at Union Township Middle School (UTMS). Before being a teacher in the Region, Brown-Benjamin spent her adolescence in Oak Park, Ill. In 1995, Brown-Benjamin graduated from Queen of Peace High...

Sean Cunningham is a middle school teacher at Union Township Middle School (UTMS) and has been teaching there for two years. Cunningham moved to Valparaiso, Indiana when he was six years old and has resided there ever since. In 2008 Cunningham...