Life in the Spotlight

Christina Bilyak is making an impact throughout the Region, both in her job and within the arts community. Bilyak, a native of Portage, now calls Valparaiso her home. She is a former student of Bethel University in Mishawaka, where she studied stage...

It’s been 19 years since Roberta "Bobbie" DeKemper stepped away from the classroom and into her role at the Portage Township Food Pantry. DeKemper currently serves as the pantry's director. DeKemper is a native of the Southern Indiana town of...

It can be a remarkable accomplishment to have your composition or arrangement performed by a nationally renowned choir, opera, or orchestra. Now, it’s something that Jordan Dollins can now mark off his bucket list. Dollins, the Portage High School...

For Hunter Thorn, baseball has always been a significant part of his life. His dad started his interest in the game when he signed Thorn up for Little League. Thorn also grew up watching his brother play baseball, which further inspired him to play....

If you’ve ever been over to the Portage American Legion Post 260 for a function, chances are you’ve run into Bernadette Esparza. Esparza is a native of Blue Island, Illinois. She came to Portage about 35 years ago with her partner, Fred Holder....

Martin Glennon manages and owns what was originally his dad’s insurance agency, Black Oak Insurance. Under his ownership, he relocated and renamed the agency. The agency, which is now named Levi Insurance, is located in Portage. The agency sells...

Patti Coppess and her husband moved to Portage in 1995. Coppess, a big believer in giving back to local communities, volunteers in various ways for the Portage community. “I always felt that if you don’t give back to your community, you shouldn't...

It is said the first six years of one’s life are the most formative years. This is especially true for Nick Dennison. Dennison remembers playing a wrestling game with his stepfather and younger brother on his PlayStation after coming home from...

The next time you go into the office at the Portage Parks and Recreation Department, be sure to stop in and introduce yourself to the city’s new events coordinator, Emily SeDoris. SeDoris took over her role in December and is in charge of the...

Anyone who visits Central Elementary School in Portage will likely be greeted by Charymill Otero, the school secretary. A native of Puerto Rico by way of Philadelphia, Otero is a graduate from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. However, Otero...