Life in the Spotlight

Portage High School senior Emily Evans is the epitome of hard work and dedication. She spends countless hours at PHS in her effort to make the school a better place. “I want to leave behind a lasting impact on not only Portage High School, but the...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight is Scott Hufford, the Principal of Crisman Elementary. Hufford is a life-long Portage resident. He is a 1988 graduate of Portage High School and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri....

A Portage Life in the Spotlight highlights people around our community who go the extra mile to make Portage a better place to live. If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, someone who is truly doing great work in the community, in a...

When he reports to work each day at Portage High School, Assistant Athletic Director Todd Strom is living his dream. Strom was selected this summer to replace Kelly Bermes, who was promoted to the Athletic Director position. “An athletic director...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight is Mary Tracy, the new Assistant Superintendent of Portage Township School replacing Dr. Ric Frataccia, who moved into the Superintendent’s position. She has been teaching for 28 years, all of them in...

Since we began this series profiling Portage Lives in the Spotlight, we’ve gotten to know some of the most influential, prominent, dedicated and active members of the Portage community. However, it is difficult for any of them to serve the...

Crisman Elementary second grade teacher Ashley Severs has a difficult task ahead of her as she tries to lead the Portage High School girls soccer program back to relevance after several down years. However, the 2004 PHS graduate is ready to make the...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight is Dr. Debra Dudek, the Director of Title and Special Student Services for Portage Township Schools. She has been a Portage girl all her adult life but has since moved to Porter where she refuses to put the...

As residents of Portage and the surrounding areas enjoy the outdoors this summer by walking, jogging, running, skating or biking on trails, they can thank Mitch Barloga and the people who deal with non-motorized transportation at the Northwest...

This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight is Dave Kasarda, the Executive Director of the Portage Township YMCA. Dave was born in Gary and raised in Portage. He is a graduate of Portage High School and Indiana University. He is married and has two...