Life in the Spotlight

Luis Guillen has been a dedicated teacher and track coach in the Valparaiso area for over 13 years. He has had the opportunity to teach a few subjects over the course of his career but has been teaching seventh-grade social studies at Union Township...

Kristen Eleftheri-Cunningham is a seventh-grade math teacher at Union Township Middle School. Eleftheri-Cunningham found her love for teaching through her own family. “I grew up with a lot of teachers in the family. And through...

Hannah Hammond-Hagman grew up in the Northwest Indiana area and has spent time on the east coast and west coast. Now, with her family, she decided to reside in the Region. “I grew up in Northwest Indiana and returned to the Region about nine...

A Valparaiso High School English teacher, Matthew Thomas has walked a path that taught him the changes of life and embraces the challenges of teaching his students not only English but how to navigate life. Growing up in Valparaiso, Thomas has always...

Teachers, neighbors, coworkers, family members, mentors, friends, coaches. Whoever the people in your life may be, they can always use a bit of encouragement and recognition for the difference they are making in others and in their community. We were...

Josh ‘Mr. G’ Goeringer, principal at Union Township Middle School (UTMS) in Valparaiso, knew he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. He saw education as the perfect opportunity to allow him to focus on his passion, and he’s never...

Holly Hinchley is an elementary school music teacher for Porter Lakes Elementary School and Boone Grove Elementary schools. Her passion for music began when she was in second grade and she has been spreading joy through music ever since. “I started...

Owner and founder of the Sangha Center for Wellness, Katie Hawks has dedicated her life to supporting others in healing and developing healthy habits. The Sangha Center for Wellness offers integrative healing therapies such as yoga therapy, massage...

Through photographing football and teaching, Ruth Anne Olson has connected with family and developed a passion for capturing special moments.  Shortly after going to college in Illinois to be a teacher, Olson and her husband moved from Illinois...

Valparaiso native Cheyenne Challenger has been an artist her whole life, with drawing and painting being her favorite things to do. When Challenger was in second grade, a watercolor bird piece she had done was featured in an art show at Valparaiso...