Life in the Spotlight

Life often has a funny way of moving in circles. This was the case for Bridget Nadolski, a nearly lifelong Portage resident with a fulfilling teaching career. Though born in California, Nadolski’s moved with her family to the...

The people who were once Alexandria Howard’s teachers and mentors are now her coworkers. The Portage High School grad turned teacher is three years into the job and loves it every day. “It is still weird to hear them call me by my first name,”...

Mike Sopko has education on his mind pretty much all the time. It certainly helps that his wife is also in education so there is never a lack of conversation for it. Sopko, principal at Kyle Elementary School in Portage, said he’s glad his life...

Working your hardest to serve and support your community can take commitment and patience. Ferdinand Alvarez knows this all too well. As a Portage City Council At-Large member, Alvarez has dedicated his time and efforts into making his beloved city a...

Janice Flatz has a motto: if there is something to be done, she would always be happy to help. “Everyone is capable of helping and everyone is good at something. I think everyone should volunteer and do whatever they can for others,” she said....

Marianne Juscik-Minier of Portage has long embraced her creativity, which stems from a lineage of creatives and artistic roots. “My family is extremely creative, and I tinkered in different creative avenues all my life,” Juscik-Minier said. “My...

Courtney Castle’s motto when it comes to work is that there is no problem she can’t fix. As an administrative assistant for Portage Utility Services-Field Forces, Castle’s job involves working with a lot of people within the community. While...

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”  Portage resident Debbie Podgorski keeps this quote from...

Jon Chlebowski, Assistant Principal at Willowcreek Middle School, always carried a bit of a flare for the dramatic. He’d gone to college with the original goal of turning a theater degree into an acting career, but found something new. “I...

Katie Lovall’s vibrant energy and endless ambition first touched the halls of Central Elementary in Portage four years ago, when she began working as the school’s health assistant. Though she embraced this opportunity to work with children and be...