Life in the Spotlight

A devout father, husband, colleague, and friend, Shane Nelson is helping small-town Portage High School make big-time leaps and bounds with their athletic program. Nelson has a heart for his students and his athletes, and as a native of Northwest Indiana, he …

Overseeing an entire town and the various departments within the local government, managing his family owned business, supporting his family, and keeping on top of his hobbies leaves Indiana native and Wakarusa Town Manager Rob Slagle with a full plate, and …

As the superintendent of the Porter Township School Corporation, Stacey Schmidt knows that providing a quality education involves much more than organizing budgets and managing the buildings. It means having a vision that will ensure that every decision made …

For just under a decade, Jennifer Pavlinac has dedicated her life to pursuing her passion for nursing. Now, she is excitedly taking on a pediatric provider role with Crown Point NorthShore Health Centers. Pavlinac began her journey in 2017, following a …

Kristan Santiago is the proud owner of The Cleaning Lady, which she established in 2019. A volunteer at La Porte County Habitat for Humanity, Santiago is set to begin working toward her bachelor’s degree in fall and is a mother of five. “Just being a mom …

Margaret “Maggie” Meyer is a member of Portage High School’s staff. She is actively involved in different areas of the school and works with the students in many different ways. As a special education teacher at Portage High School, Meyer teaches high …

As an engaged couple, Kevin Lague and Anna Womack are both long-time residents of La Porte County. Between work, kids, and building their own home through La Porte County Habitat for Humanity, they have a lot to keep them busy. In total, the couple has three …

A life driven with each decision carried out with passion and intentionality, Craig Heatherly seeks to be a pillar of guidance and support within his home community. Heatherly is a dedicated member of the Gibson team, where he serves as a commercial risk …

Whether she’s caring for patients, teaching her children at home, or guiding new parents through difficult moments, Gina Hawkins has built her life around helping others learn and grow. A Lowell native, Hawkins has spent the last decade as a nurse …

With 16 years of painting experience, Chris Lesnar has turned his love for visual art into his own business called Rymo Painting — a company dedicated to giving a budget-friendly, efficient job to its customer for an affordable price in comparison to major …