That’s what Samuel did and continues to do for the city of Goshen, his community, and his legacy. With every burdening reason to give up, he did not. Instead, he punched above his weight class. All the way from Philadelphia to Goshen, Indiana, Samuel faced food insecurity, financial burdens, and threats to his education, but he did not let it define his second act. He changed and redefined those circumstances for himself, and later, for his community. Samuel is now an educator – enriching his students’ lives, feeding the hungry, and organizing fundraisers to ensure his community does not share his childhood plight.

“I was also trying to break a cycle,” said Samuel. “I was a first-generation college student. I didn’t know what I was doing in my first year. I mean, I had alphabet soup grades, but failure was not an option. I had to go for these dreams and  goals.”

Samuel recalls his childhood with unadulterated clarity. He recalls summers at home from boarding school when his father padlocked the fridge, fearing there wouldn’t be food on the table for dinner. He sold vacuum cleaners on the streets of West Philly, and, like any good East Coast resident, slung pizza to pass the time while away from school.

Samuel attended Lancaster Mennonite High School outside of Philadelphia. He shared his struggles with being typecast as an unmedicated distraction, hyperactive with intense contentions for talking in class. He was different, and his teachers recognized this early on in his education. He found refuge and purpose in the school newspaper, then radio broadcasting. Inspired by the print media of the time and the role models who walked before him, he dove in headfirst.

Samuel was fueled by a passion for storytelling, wanting to cement his connection to the media world. He searched high and low for a university program that allowed freshmen to get on air time; this pursuit led him to Goshen College. He completed his freshman year with aspirations to return the following semester. That is when news of his parents losing the house arrived, impacting his chances. 

He struck a deal with his father; he bargained, compromised, slept in parks, and spent his last dollars to make certain that his newfound dream did not slip through his hands before fruition. He told his story on the road, shared his plight with friends, parents, and a prospective landlord who took a chance on the 19-year-old first-time renter.

“I came out. I stopped in Gettysburg, talked to my buddy Marv, one of my best friends, and convinced him to come with me, and convinced his parents. We went out, slept in the park for one night, and then in one of those ramshackle, hardscrabble hotels where you pay 35 hours a week. I gave him $35, and we shared a rail. It was one of those boarding houses where you have a shared bathroom down the hallway, metal wardrobe, the fitting sheet, the top sheet, and the pillowcase didn’t match. I stayed there for four days, put in 13 job applications, and called a half dozen apartments,” said Samuel.

Samuel graduated from Goshen College in 1998 with a bachelor’s in communications and went on to earn his master’s degree in professional communications from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in 2010. He has worked in sports broadcasting for organizations across the state, eventually finding a home in higher education. Samuel has dominated his field, winning awards, gaining notoriety, and the respect of his peers and colleagues. He is now an assistant professor of communication and general manager of WGCS-FM student radio station with Goshen College, inspiring students to pursue their passions for media and communications.

Samuel was hired as faculty under one condition: resurrect the struggling communications program in one year. Now, as his accolades continue to mount and the list of awards becomes lengthy, the program has surpassed resurrection and moved swiftly to national recognition. 

Goshen College’s communication and media program has gone on to win state and national titles. Goshen College was recognized as Indiana Radio School of the Year as a nine-time winner, Indiana School of Television as a four-time winner, and named the best college radio station in the nation this year.

Goshen College’s communications and media program now runs like a well-oiled machine, turning out career-ready students for life outside higher education.

In his free time, Samuel focuses his attention on his other passions: fundraising and disc golf. He proudly organized two leagues, with another in its infancy. Maple City Spring League hosts weekly meets and is the driving force behind their Ice Bowl Fundraiser, where disc golfers brace freezing temperatures, wind, and potentially snow. This past event alone surpassed Samuel and his community’s expectations.

“I run a fundraiser in January every year, and this past year, it set the all-time record. There are several of them every year throughout North America. The idea is to play disc golf in the winter – December, January, February – and raise money for a local charity,” said Samuel. “Most of the time, it’s food pantries or food pantry-adjacent places. This is an event that has raised over $8 million just through playing frisbee golf to feed people. This year, we raised $43,421 for the all-time record.”

Samuel’s draw and connection to fundraising stems from his own upbringing: a perspective hard-earned and worn proudly.

“I was a hungry kid growing up, and I have a solid, true testimony about how I lived. Getting the free meals, free lunches, the discounted stuff – I got that, so I know what it’s like to be on food stamps,” said Samuel. “I know what it’s like to sit around Saturday mornings watching cartoons, waiting for people to bring you boxes of food so that you could have something to eat that week.”

Samuel recognizes in these moments how profoundly impactful and important it is to surround yourself with a community that is willing to help and be generous. He is grateful to have found his forever community in Goshen, Indiana.

“We’ve got a great community of people who are very relational and generous,” said Samuel. “They understand that there’s no reason – regardless of political affiliation, religious belief, or anything – that anyone deserves to be hungry.”

Humble and fully recognizing the impact of his sustained efforts, Samuel knows the work he does has profound value for the future of Goshen.

“The folks in need who gather there in front of the window today will be the next me in 30 years because they are going to climb out; they’re going to break those cycles. They’re going to get to a point where they recognize, ‘It’s time for me now to repay this and pay it forward,’ and they will do it. Those people will be there, and that’s real eternal value in something like the food pantry and serving your community,” said Samuel.

Samuel enjoys spending his free time with his wife of 35 years, Jenny, his son, and their new baby. Aside from his family life, Samuel’s sights are now set on organizing a disc golf league with Goshen College. His connection to the communications department and media program with the college will be reduced, but he still acts as an advisor to the radio broadcasting program. He aims to continue to carve out intentional time for his loved ones, his hobbies, and his efforts within the community.

“I’m so glad to be able to do meaningful work. In the end, when you’re old, they almost all say the same thing,” said Samuel. “It’s about the relationships with people that you love and your health. Money doesn’t really get in there. It’s nice, and it can give you some different choices, but in the end, money can’t bring you love or health.”

The post A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: Jason Samuel appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“I was born in Chicago and moved to Northwest Indiana when I was about a month old,” Nelson said. “I’ve been here since. I’ve been in Northwest Indiana for 38 years.”

Nelson has a longtime passion for craft beer and always highly respected Burn ‘Em Brewing for both its atmosphere and its beer. He had a goal to work for Burn ‘Em Brewing and, after plenty of hard work, secured a role with the brewery. He has now been a manager for over three years. His role focuses on relationship building, but he is also responsible for some marketing aspects as well. Nelson’s college background in marketing helps to support this aspect of the job.

“Before starting at Burn ‘Em Brewing, I would help different micro breweries at beer festivals,” he said. “I realized after working with the micro breweries that I really loved the craft beer industry. Plus, I’m not really a desk guy, so working on my feet with a brewery seemed fitting.”

After coming to this realization, Nelson started working part-time at another local brewery. Eventually that brewery hired him full-time.

“That’s when I saw that Burn ‘Em Brewing was hiring,” he said. “Since working for Burn ‘Em Brewing had always been a dream of mine, I applied and soon found out that I got the role.”

Nelson’s wife also really enjoys craft beers. She is originally from the area as well.

“She loves craft beers,” said Nelson. “I tend to lean more towards the hoppy styles, and she tends to go for more of the fruity and sours, so we make a good pair.”

Nelson has found himself in politics, running for Porter County Commissioner. With a marketing background, Nelson finds this to support his credibility in politics, particularly as he navigates messaging and general campaign management. He is overseeing pretty much all aspects of his campaign, including fundraising.

“In addition to craft beer, I found I really had an interest in politics,” Nelson said. “I finally decided to get off the sidelines and hop into it on the local level.”

In his free time, Nelson is a Chicago White Sox fan and very into sports in general. He and his wife play Dungeons & Dragons with friends and attend trivia night as well.

“We’re a bit of a nerdy bunch that way.” Nelson said.

Nelson certainly has a lot of interests. His interests are positively impacting the community each uniquely and in their own way. Swing by Burn ‘Em Brewing to say hi to Nelson the next time you’re in Michigan City!

The post A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Kyle Nelson appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“I love getting to help the residents of Portage,” she said. “It’s so rewarding.”

Her role, which she has been in for almost four years, involves a multitude of tasks mainly related to utilities. Because Cook sits at the department’s front desk, oftentimes her role involves greeting citizens upon their arrival and directing them to resources.

“I enjoy the face-to-face interactions with our community members when they come in,” she said. “I’m at the front counter and get to see a plethora of faces. We have so many wonderful community members, and it’s so great to get to know them through my work as a clerk.”

Several of the individuals who come in are new home owners who need to set up new utility billing and close previous utilities.

“Many times, it’s individuals who are getting established in Portage as new home owners,” said Cook.

Cook has a very warm, friendly, and patient personality that’s perfect for the front desk. She loves the team she gets to work with each day in her role.

“I work with a great team of people in city hall,” she said. “Municipalities aren’t for the faint of heart, but genuinely I feel that everyone here wants to help.”

Cook grew up in Miller just outside Portage. At age 19, she started working in Portage. Across these decades of work in Portage, she’s been in multiple roles, including food and beverage.

“My first role in Portage as a teenager was a bartender,” she said. “I have bartended in Portage for almost 30 years. I managed Clancy’s for years, and I still work part-time at the Social Goat and Stone Quarry.”

Having worked in Portage for so many years, Cook has had the opportunity to really get to know the city.

“I love the growth and that it has been able to continue with a small-town feel,” she said.

While Cook loves Portage and its various community aspects, she also enjoys venturing outside the area to travel. She also really loves the beach. Both traveling and going to the beach are hobbies for her.

Cook has an undoubtable, unwavering devotion to her community and to her work. It’s this dedication that makes her so successful in her job, her relationship with the community, and more. As she continues to welcome community members to city hall and assist them with their utility billing, utility set up, and other necessary tasks, community members will continue to be touched by her through her quality work.

The post A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Keri Cook appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“I attended undergraduate school at Purdue University Northwest, where I studied English writing,” Regier said. “Then, I went to Valpo University for my master’s and studied English studies and communication.”

During her time at Valparaiso University, Regier worked as a consultant for the writing center. After finishing her degree, she stuck around and became a senior consultant before ultimately being offered the position of coordinator for the writing center.

“I also started at Stanford University’s Great Books summer program in 2019, because one of my friends had done it the year prior and recommended me for it,” Regier said. “I was just a counselor the first year, and then I came back as the administrative staff. Now, I am at the program for it each summer.”

Regier knows that she’s one of the lucky ones who can use her strengths, as well as her interests, to build her career. For both the writing center and the program at Stanford, she had started as a student. For both, she was able to continue working there after she graduated.

“I do a lot of reading,” said Regier. “I read much more than I write. I used to write a lot more when I was younger, but I feel that my attention has shifted more to reading lately. It’s something that I’ll always enjoy, whether it’s professional, personal or creative, whatever it is, I just enjoy doing it.”

With her life immersed in reading and helping students develop their writing skills, Regier does not always have much free time. When she does, if she’s not reading for her own personal enjoyment, she enjoys playing soccer.

“I play for a women’s league here in Valpo. I have a really big family, and I love hanging out with them, spending time with them, with my fiancé, and learning about writing together. That’s been fun this year,” Regier said.

The love for education runs in the family. Regier said that one of her greatest inspirations in her life has been her older sister, Bailey, who is also a professor at Valparaiso University. While her sister teaches research, Regier thinks it’s interesting how their paths have intertwined so much and their interests have been so compatible.

“She’s always valued education and the pursuit of teaching,” Regier said. “She knows the importance of meeting other young women and helping them take the next steps in their education. She’s definitely been a big inspiration along with my parents. They encouraged us – me and all my siblings – to work. It’s just really fun to see them at our graduations and everything, feeling so proud.”

Regier has a guideline she always shares with the writers she works with: keep their vision in mind even when trying to fit within a certain writing structure. She knows that people can get bogged down by rules and standards and can lose sight of their expressed thoughts, and she wants them to stay true to themselves above all.

“Ask yourself, ‘What is it that I think about this topic, and how can I share it with my audience? How can I give my audience what they need?’ I think that’s very important to not lose sight of,” Regier said.

For more information on Valparaiso University’s writing center, visit www.valpo.edu/academics/learning-centers/writing-center.

The post A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Brooke Regier appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Anderson has taught calculus for more than 30 years, building her career around a subject many students fear but she has always loved. That passion shows up in the way she runs her classroom — fast-paced, interactive and rooted in the belief that students learn best by doing, not just listening. Whether it’s flashcards, songs or even dances she’s created over the years, Anderson’s classroom is rarely still.

“I really still can say I love to teach kids. It’s interesting every day,” she said. “I want active learning. They don’t always like that part — they kind of want to sit there and look at you — but we don’t allow that in here.”

That energy comes with high expectations. Anderson is known for pushing her students, emphasizing effort and accountability just as much as understanding. Her classroom isn’t built around making things easy; it’s built around making them meaningful.

“The kids will tell you I’m hard. I’m not going to say that I make life easy because I want them to learn,” she said. “It’s not always playing fun games. Sometimes, you’ve got to grind through it. If you’re working hard, we’re all good. If you’re not, then I’m going to be on your case.”

For Anderson, the lessons go far beyond calculus. While she understands many students may never use the material again, she sees the subject as a way to train the mind — to build problem-solvers rather than memorizers.

“I want them to learn how to learn. Just going through the motions is not going to help you,” she said. “Maybe you’ll never need to use calculus, but you did learn how to study. You learned how to think outside the box. You learned how to problem-solve. I want to teach you how to process things, not just regurgitate information. You’ve got to think on the spot.”

That philosophy is summed up in a phrase Anderson’s repeated to generations of students: math is hard — and so is life. The point, she emphasizes, is learning how to work through both.

She eventually found her rhythm at Wheeler, where she built not just a career but a community. Originally from Crown Point, Anderson said she found her niche and never felt the need to leave.

“This is my niche, and that’s why I’ve stayed here all these years,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Outside the classroom, her commitment to students has extended into coaching math academic teams for decades — more than 30 years at the middle school level and over 20 at the high school level, where she continues to coach today. Even beyond school, Anderson’s connection with students doesn’t end at graduation.

“You get to know the kids as people, not just your student you have in class for an hour a day,” she said. “That does make a huge difference.”

Over the years, Anderson has kept in touch with many former students, watching their lives unfold long after they’ve left her classroom. Some have gone on to internships at NASA, while others still meet up with her when they’re back in town. As an avid Indiana University fan, she’s even gone to basketball games with former students.

“They’ll text me like, ‘Hey, you want to go to breakfast?’ and we go,” she said. “It’s really fun to keep up with what they’re doing and how their lives have changed.”

That lasting impact is rooted in something deeper than academics — a passion she hopes her students recognize.

“I’m just hoping they understand the passion — what it really means to love your job,” she said. “Sometimes, they get caught up in the dollar signs. I’ve had students go on to be doctors and lawyers and make all this money, and that’s great if that’s what makes them happy. I could have been an engineer, and I don’t think I would’ve been happy doing that. I hope they see that if you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll love going to work — and that matters.”

Anderson’s life outside of school is just as full. A lifelong horseback rider, Anderson cares for four horses and has built decades-long friendships through that world — relationships that have lasted 40 or 50 years.

What continues to drive her is the moment when something finally clicks — when a student who once struggled begins to understand and build confidence.

“The most rewarding part of the job is seeing kids go from not understanding to understanding,” she said. “When we start, it’s kind of a disaster. It’s hard, and they struggle. Then, they start building on what they know, and it’s really neat to see. Later on, they’re flying through it because they understand how to think.”

Those are moments that never get old to her.

“I enjoy seeing those light bulbs go on, especially with students who struggle,” she said. “It’s so neat to watch them start working things out and think, ‘Oh my God, they’re getting it.’ I take a lot of satisfaction from that.”

In the end, Anderson hopes her students leave with more than just an appreciation for math.

“Hopefully they all love math. They might not, but I hope they learn to appreciate it,” she said. “I want them to be good people, to learn self-control and how to work with other people. There are a lot of life skills I want them to take away too.”

For Anderson, that’s always been the goal: not just teaching formulas, but helping students learn how to think, grow and carry those lessons far beyond the classroom.

The post A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Teri Anderson appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Ladybug Laundry, which was founded by Wuethrich’s family in 2002, has always had a mission of giving back at the heart of its operations. With locations open in many areas around the Region, there is never any shortage of people whose lives can be touched by the generosity the business extends.

“It’s kind of a funny story. It was originally called The Sally Wash, which was my mom’s name. That’s what it was called when my dad started this business,” Wuethrich said. “My time in the business came later.”

Wuethrich grew up in Francesville in Pulaski County, where Ladybug Laundry had its start. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Wuethrich felt the call to the mission field. He and his wife headed to Haiti and then to Puerto Rico as missionaries.

“When I left the mission field, I was living in Converse, Indiana,” Wuethrich said. “I was an internship director and a programming director at a summer camp there. Then after my tenure there, I went to work up in Valpo, so we moved to Valpo in 2018.”

In Valparaiso, Wuethrich’s family became involved at CrossPointe Church. For four years, Wuethrich worked as the youth and worship minister there until his father decided it was time to retire from the family business.

“My father asked if I wanted to come work with him,” said Wuethrich. “I’d always felt a really strong calling into the business world. Ministry for me was an interesting path, but I wanted to do business, I wanted to be on that side of things. There was a strong ministry calling for me that I could not ignore, so that’s the path I ended up going at first, but I felt like God was calling me back to my roots, which was in business.”

Just because Wuethrich is now working outside of the mission field does not mean his heart for the ministry has changed. Under his leadership, Ladybug Laundry has given back to the communities they service so that the company can be more than just a laundromat. It is a place of hope.

“We have 13 locations currently with two more under construction and opening soon,” Wuethrich said. “We’re always looking for local nonprofits in need that we can support in any way. We donated laundry supplies to local homeless shelters and pet shelters. People don’t always think about laundry when they talk about the needs these places have, but everyone has to do laundry.”

Even though the business takes a lot of Wuethrich’s time, he tries to make time for the things he enjoys outside of work as well. Anything he can do that involves the outdoors and connecting with nature, he tries to do as often as he is able. This includes hunting, fishing, and hiking. He also enjoys spending as much time with his family as he can, because he knows how important it is to keep himself focused on what matters most.

“There was a guy who used to say, ‘The shoe doesn’t show Christ because He puts a cross on the shoe, but because of the quality of the shoe.’ That was my dad. My dad was a perfect example of showing what it means to be a man of God because of the quality and the hard work that you put into things,” Wuethrich said.

It’s this mentality that has propelled Wuethrich in his work. He believes that no work, whether it is in the ministry or the business world, can be done without the people being served in mind.

“Don’t forget about the people,” Wuethrich said. “I don’t want to say that we only care about people because it helps our business succeed. We do our job so that they have a safe, clean place to do what they need to do. Everything is about the people. We do what we do to stay open, but any profit beyond that is with the people in mind. We want to help anywhere we can.”

Ladybug Laundry is opening a new location in Portage next, and Wuethrich is eager for any local nonprofits to reach out to them if they have needs the business can fill.For more information, you can visit ladybuglaundry.com.

The post A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Logan Wuethrich appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Kaplar credits his own high school experience for inspiring him to pursue teaching.

“I had a teacher named Mr. Stamper when I went to school here. He was my history teacher, and I just remember how fun the class was,” Kaplar said. “He seemed like a person as opposed to just a teacher, and that kind of put a little thought in the back of my head.”

After graduating, Kaplar attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, where he, ironically, did not study teaching. He later earned his teacher’s license at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting through a year-long program that required Saturday classes. The program also allowed him to earn his master’s degree.

Before becoming a full-time teacher, Kaplar spent several years working in different roles at Merrillville High School while completing his certification. In 2012, a former counselor helped him get his foot in the door. His first job was as an aide in the Freshman Academy, a program designed to support incoming freshmen who may be at risk academically.

Kaplar later supervised the school’s in-school suspension program and eventually worked in the after-school alternative program, which serves students who cannot attend traditional classes due to personal or academic circumstances. Among his many “odd jobs,” he also filled in as a substitute teacher for maternity leave positions.

“The community, the teachers, the principals, and the kids – that’s what made me want to stay here. That’s what made me want to continue for five or so years just doing odd jobs and continuing to work my way up the ladder.”

In 2017, he finally got his own classroom and began teaching full-time.

In addition to teaching full-time, Kaplar also served as director of the Merrillville Alternative Program (MAP) for three years.

“I was in charge of around 200 of Merrillville’s most at-risk students. It was a very long day but worth it in the end. It gave me an entirely new perspective on life and made me realize how good I had it growing up.”

Kaplar said the most meaningful moments of teaching often come years later when former students return and reflect on what they learned.

“The most rewarding part is when I have freshmen who come back to me as seniors and tell me, ‘You taught me that life isn’t that easy.’ We’re all going to have problems, but we have to help ourselves be the best version of ourselves to be successful in life.”

Outside the classroom, Kaplar enjoys simple hobbies and spending time with his family. He’s an avid golfer and says he’s at a point in life where he mostly enjoys being at home with his wife and young son. In typical history teacher fashion, he never misses an episode of Jeopardy! He watches it with his wife and two-year-old and even has a clicker to count how many questions he gets right and wrong.

Kaplar also emphasizes perspective and resilience in the classroom, something he says took time to learn as a teacher. He recognizes that life isn’t about avoiding bad days; it’s about remembering to have a better tomorrow.

“If I could give advice to my younger self about teaching, it would be that it’s okay to have a bad day, because tomorrow is always a brand new day. Whatever I’m going through in my life — whether I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or got into an argument — these kids are going through the exact same thing,” Kaplar said. “If a student isn’t super smiley or super nice to me, I shouldn’t get offended, because they might have things going on in their life too. Bad days happen, and we follow those up with good days. That’s something I try to live by.”

When students are struggling, Kaplar has a simple approach he uses to help them calm down and think through the situation.

“I have three things that I ask them, and usually by the third question it kind of calms them down,” Kaplar said

The first question asks students to consider whether the problem will still matter in the near future.

“Is whatever you’re going through going to still affect you a week from now? Many times, the answer is no — maybe their PlayStation got taken away or something minor. This helps them realize the situation is temporary,” Kaplar said.

The second question encourages students to reflect on their character and how they respond to challenges.

“Is this affecting your character? Is it changing how you act as a person?” Kaplar asks. “This question encourages them to reflect on whether the situation is really impacting who they are or how they treat others.”

Finally, Kaplar asks students to think about the broader perspective of their situation.

“Is there anybody in the world today who has it worse than you? There’s not a single student that can answer no to that question. Even if their day feels bad — like if they’re going through a breakup — they still have clothes on their backs, shoes on their feet, and clean water to drink. It might suck right now, but at the end of the day, people would kill to be in your position,” he said.

Ultimately, Kaplar says he hopes students remember something deeper than the history lessons taught in his classroom.

“I just hope that the kids remember me,” Kaplar said. “They’re not going to need to know who built the Great Pyramids of Egypt when they’re a 45-year-old accountant, but they do need to know the important life lessons that I try to teach them.”

The post A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Andy Kaplar appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“The brand name BURK originated from my last name Burkhart and also is the nickname of my grandpa,” said Burkhart. “My grandpa, along with the last name, has always been known for many qualities that I try to emulate in a brand that is respected for its quality.”

However, the family inspiration doesn’t just stop at the name of the business.

“My cousin Maverick – Mav – helps me with the business, so it’s all the more fitting that we incorporate a family member into the business,” Burkhart said.

Mav and Burdkhardt are just a couple of years apart and grew up together. 

“We were always close as kids,” said Burkhart. “It’s been great to have his help with BURK.”

Burkhart is currently enrolled at the School of the Art Institute Chicago (SAIC), studying fashion and design as part of a certificate program. Originally from the Region, both being in Chicago and his home roots have helped to further his career.

“About a month ago, I had an opportunity to meet with one of Vera Wang’s assistant in Chicago,” Burkhart said. “We discussed paths I could take as a designer and the various options in the industry. It was really helpful to get her perspective and hear about how things work from someone experienced; it gave me and better understanding of what to focus on and explore moving forward with BURK.“

In a way, entrepreneurship runs in Burkhart’s blood. His mom runs her own local business that’s based in the beauty industry. While somewhat indirect, this is yet another family-related tie to Burkhart’s overall business strategy and inspiration.

“I’ve learned a lot watching my mom over the years grow her business. She is one of my biggest role models,” said Burkhart.

Each of Burkhart’s pieces are unique. There is no article of clothing under his brand that is not independently made and designed. Nothing is replicated. Appropriately, Burkhart’s company tagline is “Artistic one-of-one creations.”

“Whenever we make something, we try to put a unique design to it,” said Burkhart. “Mav and I think carefully about how each garment is constructed and the overall feel and quality, so every piece feels special.” 

BURK is an e-commerce retailer. As a whole, Burkhart leans on a design vision that’s based in big city fashion but caters to that small town bespoke feel.

“I love many fashion eras, so that’s always going to impact my creativity when designing,” he said. “The customization of each piece is, in a way, inspired by the neighborhood feel of the Region. So much can be easily individualized in that type of an environment.”

In addition to fashion and design, Burkhart likes to fish, play soccer, and enjoy the local nature in and surrounding the Region.

“I love going on hikes in the Dunes and going to the beach,” Burkhart said.

Burkhart will continue to grow his company and design one-of-a-kind clothes as he works on completing his certificate from SAIC. You can follow BURK on Instagram at burk.us or on TikTok @2burk. He is currently working on creating a company Facebook page.

The post A La Porte County Life in the Spotlight: Will Burkhart appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Like any involved parent or mentor, Gensic only wants better for the kids than what he was offered. Gensic grew up in a small rural community in Albion, where organized sports and youth leagues were less accessible than they are today. Gensic works to change that narrative with his kids and the community at large.

“Back in the community I grew up in, everybody knew everybody, and they didn’t have as many options to participate in sports compared to the kids of today,” said Gensic. “Now, the community that my kids are growing up in has allowed more opportunities for them.”

Gensic attended the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry. It was during his junior and senior years that his interest in education intensified. Gensic went on to pursue education through the Alliance for Catholic Education, a graduate program through the University of Notre Dame that helps students earn a master’s degree and obtain a teaching license. Post-graduation, he transitioned to teaching full-time at St. Adalbert School for the next three years.

In addition to his career as an educator, Gensic organizes multiple youth basketball leagues, which not only allow him to be part of his community but also to be an active participant in his children’s journey through team sports. Gensic is currently working to restore his neighborhood’s basketball and tennis courts, built in the 1970s and left to weather the years.

“I have been an advocate for our own neighborhood, and we’ve been able to rally enough support to redo the basketball courts in our neighborhoods with really nice concrete with nice outdoor hoops,” said Gensic. “Our HOA just passed a referendum that was put to a vote to reinvest in our neighborhood. It has been a few years in the making, but now our neighborhood is able to reinvest in a park for our kids and for our kids’ kids.”

Gensic believes that, as stewards of the land and active community members, reinvesting in the park will benefit future generations. Creating well-maintained common spaces and pouring into one’s community will strengthen it from the inside out.

“It may be unrealistic for people not to be able to pay extra for HOA fees, but we can be creative in finding ways to get the funds necessary to leave it better than we found it,” said Gensic.

Other opportunities for students and athletes to get involved include Gensic’s work with the Court of Dreams, which creates unique, potentially once-in-a-lifetime experiences for kids through the NBA. Court of Dreams is a fan experience that gives kids the opportunity to have court time, play with the scoreboard and sound system, and even experience a professional-level locker room.

“We get a group together to go to an Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, or Chicago Sky game. When you buy enough tickets, you can get court time on Wintrust Arena’s floor or on the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse,” said Gensic. “It’s been great bringing people from different communities together as one to play at a cool venue, or for parents to support their kids’ love of the game and compete in one of the biggest arenas in basketball.”

In his free time, Gensic and his basketball-loving family enjoy traveling for professional games and checking out major arenas around the country. At home, he and his children put in the hours on the court and in the classroom, as they continue their studies and fine-tune their athletics.

“I’m thankful for the time that my wife allows me to spend with my kids, with practices and games,” said Gensic. “I’m thankful for all the kids’ parents who drive to practices or help coach or help keep a book and simply have our kids ready to participate.”

Gensic’s work with organizing youth sports initiatives is unlocking core memories for the kids in his community. Organized sports build confidence, community, and lasting friendships through their universal love of ball. Gensic is helping children in the classroom and on the court reach their highest potential and hopes to continue his work for years to come.

The post A Michiana Life in the Spotlight: John Gensic appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“We wanted to establish a school that would teach children values as well as traditional classroom learning and curriculum,” said DeMoss.

After about a year and a half of discussion, Doering asked DeMoss to conduct research on the feasibility of their idea.

“I saw that the cost of preschools were all over the place, and I figured that if we could have something on the lower end of the spectrum and be available to our community, then it would work,” DeMoss said.

The vision came to fruition, and today, DeMoss is the director of Real Beginnings Preschool.

“My plan for the preschool is to work with the elementary schools and make sure that the kids are well-equipped and have the foundation that they will need in kindergarten and beyond,” said DeMoss.

DeMoss and her husband have two children – one biological and one that they are currently fostering.

DeMoss has a background in human resources. When her career shifted to working with preschoolers, it fit perfectly with her love for children.

“I love children. My favorite aspect of my job is watching them grow,” she said. “The progression is amazing and so fulfilling.”

DeMoss and her family also raise chickens – three chickens to be exact. This family activity and hobby that started off as a way to save money on the family grocery bill actually acts as a learning opportunity for the DeMoss children, which she finds very valuable.

“Anytime you care for an animal, it’s always a learning opportunity,” DeMoss said. “The neighborhood children come by, and I let them feed the chickens. All of the kids show up at my door and they all like to chase the chickens around and learn about them. We’re all learning, myself included.”

DeMoss and her family also have a 13-year-old Yorkie.

“He’s our grandpa dog,” she said. “We love him.”

As the director of Real Beginnings, DeMoss helps to drive the school’s mission and vision of comprehensive learning.

“As a Christian school, we want to make sure we are showing the love of Jesus to everyone and are focused on relationships,” she said. “We instill this in the children. They learn the fundamentals and how to build a relationship with Jesus and others.”

DeMoss finds it important to the mission and vision to also create relationships with the parents.

“We want to make sure that families feel like they’re being heard and that kids are learning what they need to learn,” she said. “We ensure that there is a two-way communication between us.”

DeMoss’ good work and talents are forming many children. Not only is she impacting her own two children in a positive way, she’s also helping those in her neighborhood and at Real Beginnings.

To learn more about Real Beginnings Preschool, contact DeMoss at info@realbeginnings.org or call (219) 350-9781.

The post A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Stephanie DeMoss appeared first on GreatNews.Life.