Top 10 PortageLife Voices Stories of 2014

PL_Voices2014 brought a lot of thought-provoking, heart-warming, and inspirational pieces to us. It's important to us that not only do we get to share good news, but also that our community members share their good news with us. Our Voices Section was created to be an outlet for the positive stories, ideas, and thoughts of our readers. People from all over Northwest Indiana had something to say this year and we at PortageLife were happy to accommodate.

Here are the Top 10 Voices Articles of 2014. Please read on and enjoy.

Improving Questioning Skills Leads to Improved Learning 

“What does my child need to do in order to be successful in this class?” That is a good question that can begin an effective dialogue between a parent and a teacher. For those of us in the educational arena, it is encouraging for a parent to ask about what happens at school or what we are doing to help each individual child to be successful. Parent participation in the education of their child begins with asking good questions. Good questions start the important dialogue we want in order to improve what happens at school and what happens at home. It is a two-way street of communication. Parents should ask reflective questions about the education of their child, putting the emphasis on what “I” can do. For example: “What do I want the school to provide for my child’s education? What do I want my child to learn this year? What do I need to do at home to help my child’s learning in school?” Asking these self-reflective questions can bring about a more focused approach to helping a child at home.

Making a Difference in Portage High School 

I'm Savannah Hefty, 17 years old and a sophomore in high school. Growing up, I was bullied and led to believe I wasn't worth anything. I traveled down a road I wish I never went down and hoped that one day, I would make at least 1 true friend. At this time, I was visiting a church nearby and as I was helping fix up the auditorium, I found myself crying wondering if I was going to truly go to heaven. I believe God sent someone by the name of Michele Graham to help me. She went through the Bible and showed me the steps to be saved so I could go to sleep that night knowing that I would go to Heaven when I died. I left so happy and realized that I did have one true friend, I was just too blind to see it. I had Jesus Christ right next to me, with his arms wide opened waiting for me to come to Him. I didn't have to live life in fear anymore. He loved me at my darkest moments.

13 Years Later 

When I came home from my new school that day, I remember my grandmother telling me I'd never forget where I was. And I never have. I'll never forget when a usually-stoic teacher knocked on our classroom door with blotches of red on her face and tears stinging her eyes. I'll never forget the pastor's general self-assuredness cracking with his voice. I'll never forget our confusion and our fear for a girl I knew whose father was working in the Sears Tower that day – what if Chicago was next? I'll never forget my math teacher deciding that trying to teach that day was pointless. He turned on the radio instead, from which echoed the voices of morning DJ's we'd only ever heard cracking jokes, suddenly full of raw emotion. I'll never forget finally seeing the footage when I got home and the reflections of pain and fury in familiar newscasters' eyes.

Calumet College of St. Joseph Student Shares Her Experience at NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program in Washington, D.C. 

Nicole Gill, a junior volleyball player at Calumet College of Saint Joseph, was one of 13 students nationwide selected to take part in the NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program sponsored by the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. She is now in the first week of the two-week program. Each day, a different student selected recaps the events of the day, sharing what they've learned and what they did in the nation's capital during off hours. Gill was given the blogging task for Day Two. Here is what she had to share:

The World's First Baby LIFER! 

Just about everyone knows that Ideas in Motion Media is about sharing GOOD news. We are the positive-only news source that anyone can go to for great news about local people and local happenings. Are you ready to hear some NEW news? One of our Lady Lifers, Deanna Grimes, is going to be welcoming the first Baby Lifer this October! "I am very excited to be a mom," Deanna said. "I have a very close relationship with my own mom so it's very exciting to think I will be someone's mom."

Firehouse Subs' Jeff Walsworth Chronicles Journey to Boston Marathon 

In 2008, when Jeff turned 40 he fulfilled his goal to do the Chicago Marathon. It was a hot year, and the run didn’t go as well as he had planned. He decided to redeem himself in his own mind, and he completed the First Monumental Marathon in Indy a few weeks later. This time he felt as if his hard summer training paid off.—That was the beginning, he caught the “marathon bug” and decided over the next couple of years he would do more distance running in hopes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Why I Love 'City in the Spotlight' 

For the last seven years, I have made it a mission of mine to discover the United states as much as I can. And while it is always exciting to visit an urban metropolis, famous landmark or beautiful American landscape, there is something special and unique about every small or mid-size town I visit. When embarking on a road trip, the best part is always the journey - a journey that, for me at least, always includes smaller towns that provide an education in diversity in America.

I Didn't Need to be Stronger, I Wanted to be More Fit. 

People have different goals when they are looking to get healthy. It could be weight loss, it could be for medical reasons, it could be to to make a positive lifestyle change, get a PR in a race, or a litany of other reasons. For Joseph Orosz, he wanted to be a Spartan. Read more about why Joe loves being active in Northwest Indiana.

21 Great Ways to Make the Most of a Snowy Day! 

Snow is falling...again. The kids are at home and looking for something to do. What do you do to keep them entertained? We are here to help! Here are some great things that you can do with your kids, friends, co-workers, and anyone else looking to escape the winter doldrums.

1. Get crafty! Use strong glue to attach a plastic toy to the inside of a jar lid, then add baby oil and glitter for a homemade snow globe.

Birthday Wish Supports Fight Against Cancer 

My niece, Eva, turned 8 years old on December 27th, Her birthday wish was to donate her gifts to help support a child with pediatric cancer. In lieu of presents, she had a donation box available at her birthday party, in honor of 6 year old Maddux Hescock, who is battling lung cancer.

Eva was able to raise $550 for Maddux!