Northern Indiana is full of people working hard every day to make their communities a better place. Since 2011, GreatNews.Life has been putting the spotlight on the people spreading this positivity in the Region with our Life in the Spotlight series. New articles are published every Wednesday, so be sure to check back often to learn more about the stories of great people doing great things in Northern Indiana.
Amanda McKenzie is the Production Manager at First Community Mortgage in Portage, where she brings years of experience to the mortgage industry. Her journey began in high school when she took a business vocational class, and her internship led her to...
It’s been said that the only way you can keep it is if you give it away. This philosophy is a key driver for John Wirth and how he lives. A member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Wirth works at the Portage...
Emily Hopkins is a wife, a mother, and a nurse. Both her role at home as a wife and mother and her role as a nurse at Associated Pediatricians’ Portage office are integral to her life. Prior to the birth of her son, Archer, Hopkins worked full-time...
Robin Reynolds-Bender, owner of On the Roxx Bar in Portage, has become a well-known figure in the Northwest Indiana (NWI) community, but Reynolds-Bender’s journey into the bar industry wasn’t typical. It was a mix of passion, curiosity, and a...
Diana Smoot has been a dedicated real estate professional in Northwest Indiana for over 30 years. She is the Managing Broker at McColly Real Estate’s Highway 6, Willowcreek, and Lake Station offices. Beyond her leadership and sales...
Portage native Tina Vaclavik has found her passion for helping others through her work in nursing. Currently working at Methodist Hospital’s Gary location, Vaclavik has spent almost three decades in the field and absolutely loves what she does each...
With 38 years in education, Bonnie Guest is a cherished mentor throughout Northwest Indiana and is known for her commitment to students, families, and the community. She has become a passionate advocate for children’s education, particularly in...
For Kara Thornberry, teaching was more than a career choice. From an early age, she knew that the classroom was where she wanted to be. She would often play "school" with friends and siblings growing up, eventually leading to her lifelong...
For David and Debra “Deb” Pratt, teaching isn’t just a profession — it’s a shared passion that has defined their lives and careers at Purdue University Northwest (previously Purdue University North Central). Deb Pratt started her journey at...
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Ken Bult Ken Bult considers himself a renaissance man doused in the arts. Music, literature and photography have been at the forefront of Bult’s professional and personal life, even in retirement. He wants to...