Life in the Spotlight

Kayla Brooks is a young mother and an aspiring photographer in the Region. Like many others, she is learning and experiencing life as it comes to her. Although she is young, she is an inspiring individual and bright light in her community. Brooks was...

Kelly Dykstra is reinventing farmers' markets and community events in Cedar Lake and the Region. In addition to being the coordinator for the Cedar Lake farmers' market, Dykstra also runs other markets, owns a salon, and is a wellness educator....

Never underestimate the power of positivity. That’s what Kelly Schneider learned when giving a gift to a close friend. Schneider, in partnership with a recording studio, has created a CD that has reached far beyond anything she could have ever...

With degrees in telecom, psychology, and film, Matthew Waters planned for a career in TV and hoped to one day be a program director. He worked in Bloomington at a couple different TV stations, but when the opportunity to teach at his alma mater...

Hospice is never an easy topic to deal with, but Marriza Negrete is looking to help ease others through the process and to show that hospice care can actually be a valuable choice for their loved ones when the time comes. Negrete is the senior...

Originally from Hammond, Ind. and a current resident of Calumet City, Ill., James Upchurch is a working man through and through. Upchurch runs a construction company, The Region Public Adjusters, and a nonprofit organization called The Region Paws...

Kevin Hutnick’s mom always wanted him to be a State Farm agent, but he and his family ended up owning the Valparaiso Once Upon a Child instead.  “I was looking for a career change, and my mom was saying, ‘Hey, you need to become a State...

Munster, Ind. native Dorothy Lakshmanamurthy proves to us all that you’re never too young to have an impact on your community. Currently a sophomore at Munster High School, Lakshmanamurthy has been involved in Girl Scouts since she was in...

As a woman in the STEM career, Catherine Tinsley had to work hard to get to the stage she is in her career life. Having a bachelor of science degree in marketing with a concentration in systems following with a master of business administration in...

Lex and Pam Castro are the pastors of Right Now Church in Crown Point, Indiana. The couple met in 2001 at church, and after years of being in leadership roles together, they were drawn to begin pastoring. Soon after, they were lead pastors of Right...