Life in the Spotlight

Steven Barnes had always wanted to be a pit crew mechanic for racers. His career, however, took a stop in education and it stuck. Barnes is currently the Automotive Technology Instructor at the AKS Career Center in Michigan City, a position he’s...

For over 34 years, Chorus Teacher Shirley Allen has dedicated herself to helping students in the Michigan City area develop not only as musicians but also as people. Allen, who has been teaching at Krueger Middle School for the past 10 years, loves...

After leaving the corporate world, Adam Konieczny and his best friend Tim Franke decided they could serve the digital marketing community better and set out to do so. Konieczny is now CEO and co-founder of Duneland Media.  “We were both just...

Megan Lambert, a senior at La Porte High School who strives for excellence both inside and outside the classroom, is truly a credit to the Region. Her years of dedication paid off last December when it was announced she had won the prestigious Lilly...

Sometimes, an individual chooses to go above and beyond the requirements of the job description. For 26 years, Kathy Schroll, the principal’s secretary at Coolspring Elementary School in Michigan City, has been doing just that. Not only does she...

For individuals like Phyllis Stark, teaching is more than a job – it’s a calling. When it comes to answering that call, Stark has truly gone above and beyond: she has amassed over 45 years of teaching experience with Michigan City Area Schools...

Bob James, math teacher and retired football coach, is truly a driven individual. Whether he is guiding his team to victory on the football field or instructing his students on a particular concept in the classroom, James is ready to step up to the...

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” So goes the title of the classic Dr. Suess book. Whether it be by plane, bus, or car, and for Michael Noland especially, the train, the possibilities are endless here in northwest Indiana. As president of the South...

For almost three years, Erik Nelson, workforce development coordinator at the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP), has been forging important professional connections between people and organizations in the La Porte community. LEAP is a...

Tina Orr loves her community and makes sure she is a big part of it. She works hard every day to make sure community members with disabilities aren’t looked down on or forgotten by providing life-changing services and activities and by advocating...