Throughout the year, we sat down with cancer survivors, military veterans, community change-makers, enthusiastic high schoolers, and more. The residents of La Porte County make the most powerful impact on the community, and being able to sit down and listen to their stories puts that power on full display.
It’s special moments like these that we are particularly proud to share on the GreatNews.Life sites, including Life in the Spotlight, Survivor Series, Veteran Spotlight, Leadership Life, City in the Spotlight, Student Voices, and more.
In no particular order, here are the top 10 feature articles on Laportecounty.Life to recap the good news in 2025!
Tri-Township High School (TTHS) Senior Basketball Star #30 Jayde Pryor reached a career milestone by scoring her 1,000th point during an away game at Hebron High School on December 13, 2024. The following day, the team returned to the Tiger Den for a game against North White High School, honoring Pryor for joining the 1,000-point club. She is only the second female player in TTHS/La Crosse High School history to achieve this feat.
As a part of the GreatNews.Life (GNL) social media team, Isabella “Izzy” Evers is using her creative design skills and media expertise to bring posts about Northern Indiana’s all-positive news to life across the digital landscape.
Evers first became interested in the field while at Indiana State University in Terre Haute where an opportunity to work in social media piqued her interest. That experience made her realize she wanted to further pursue social media as a career, which made the job at GNL a perfect fit post graduation.
As the curtains opened at South Central High School, the audience was transported into the world of Matilda Wormwood and her adventures. South Central Drama Club (SCDC) opened Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda Jr. The Musical” on February 7. Through the opening number, the audience was introduced to Matilda, played by Lanny Koppen, and her family, Mrs. Wormwood (Amelia Dustin), Mr. Wormwood (Avery Brown), and her brother Michael (Lillian Wright).
Judy Gehrels, general manager of Uptown Social in Michigan City, brings a wealth of experience and a deep sense of community to her work. From her creative beginnings as a scriptwriter and drama team leader to her current role managing one of Michigan City’s most iconic venues, Gehrels’ journey is one of reinvention, passion, and service.
The La Porte High School (LPHS) Choir hosted its inaugural “Friend Choir” event during the Choral Recital Night on Wednesday, February 19.
Students were encouraged to invite a friend from outside the school for an enjoyable sing-along evening. They assisted their friends in learning the music beforehand, and a rehearsal set the stage for a fantastic time as the expanded choir performed Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” followed by a pizza party.
Jodi Scherwitz-Boling was diagnosed with cancer on May 7, 2024. However, her unwavering strength and determination have inspired everyone around her.
A dedicated nurse with 23 years of experience in the Neurotrauma Critical Care Unit, she has spent her career helping others through some of their most challenging moments. As she faces the challenges in her own life, it’s her resilience that continues to be a source of hope and encouragement for her family, friends, and community.
Kyla Webb always knew that music and performing was her path. After years of curating a life centered around those values, Webb is living her dream as a musician and performer.
With her parents introducing Webb to The Beatles and the blues, music became a passion at a young age. It wasn’t long before Webb discovered her own musical inspiration.
“I fell in love with Dolly Parton when I was 2 years old,” Webb said. “I became obsessed with music in every capacity.”
It was high school where his dream of joining the United States military first started. Inspired to begin advancing toward his new dream of serving. However, Koch also wanted to go to college. Grappling with both a desire to attend college and join the National Guard, he sought out a recruiter from the National Guard for advice.
New Prairie High School (NPHS) wrapped up its fall sports seasons with many commendable performances. Among them were three state-qualified teams or individuals.
The Girls Flag Football team ended their outstanding inaugural season on October 18 at their State Competition. After facing off against Lawrence North High School following their game against Warren Central High School, the girls placed third in the state, proving just how much work these girls put in throughout the season.
Brennan Evers began his cattle raising company, Evers Homegrown, with just two calves that his dad gave him.
“I sold those two and I realized that there was money in it, and I enjoyed doing it,” Evers said. “Then I bought four more.”
This was in 2016 and he was just 10 years old. Today, Evers owns triple that amount. This summer alone, one individual sold Evers 45 calves.