Life in the Spotlight

Steve Santana has 31 years experience in education. This experience includes teaching, coaching, and leading administrative efforts. “I’ve been with La Porte Community School Corporation for 27 years,” he said. “This includes 16 years as La Porte High …

After several years working in healthcare, Britney Nawracaj felt it was time to make a career shift into the field of preschool education. Though her new career is just beginning, she knows in her heart that this is what she’s meant to do. Nawracaj grew up …

Arlene Moore is a lifelong resident of Portage. She attended Jones Elementary School, Willowcreek Middle School, and Portage High School. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Purdue University Northwest in Westville. Today, Moore is …

It’s been a chilly stretch in Northwest Indiana, but Julie Scollard is working to bring a bit of summer glow back to the Region — one spray tan at a time. From her home-based studio in St. John, Scollard owns and operates Sun Kissed Tan, an …

PEGGS Diner has been serving up smiles, reliable hospitality, and consistently delicious food in the South Bend community for the last 25 years. Peg Dalton, owner and operator, has placed family above all and community engagement at the forefront of her …

In the Summer of 2023, just one week into retirement, Barb Michalos did what few would do; she accepted another job. Michalos turned her retirement and a newfound, more relaxed schedule into a quest for opportunity. She kept her hands on the pulse, opting to …

Kevin Zwiers is the business development director for Midwest Center for Youth and Families. “The reason I got into mental health is because I wanted to be an advocate for those that either have a voice that gets pushed in the corner or a voice that …

Captain Ed’s Furniture in Michigan City has been a family-run and family-owned company for decades. Ed Beutner’s parents originally named it Quality TV because it sold televisions only. “The company was started by my parents,” Beutner said. “Since …

Megan Monahan loves her job as a special education teacher, but her journey to teaching wasn’t easy. Monahan was born and raised in Portage, where a difficult speech impediment got in the way of her early academic life. She lacked confidence because of it …

Jackie Bryce knows ball. Bryce started playing softball at just 8 years old, and it stuck ever since. She played in high school and then went on to play at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. When she came back home to Crown Point, she became an …