2013 brought a lot of thought-provoking, heart-warming, and inspirational pieces to us. It's important to us that not only do we get to share good news, but also that our community members share their good news with us. Our Voices Section was created to be an outlet for the positive stories, ideas, and thoughts of our readers. People from all over Northwest Indiana had something to say this year and we at LaPorteCountyLife were happy to accommodate.
Here are the Top 10 Voices Articles of 2013. Please read on and enjoy.
1. La Porte High School to Expand Drug Testing to Student Drivers
Based on a recommendation from the district’s Drug Free Task Force, La Porte High School student drivers will be randomly drug tested beginning in the fall of 2013. The La Porte Community School Board adopted a policy at their June board meeting to expand their random drug testing efforts to students who drive to school. Currently, only LPHS student athletes submit to random drug testing. Read more...
2. Alex Moser Headed to Culver
Alex Moser, is a 14 year old Kesling Middle School student who will be on his way to a life change late July. He will be moving into his unit he will call home and begin training to play football at Culver Military Academy and start his Freshman year of high school. Read more...
3. Making the Vision for La Porte a Reality
As part of my Navy Reserve activities in December I had the opportunity to more carefully organize my approach for achieving the vision I have for La Porte while attending the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany. A particular concept discussed that I found to be the most fundamental to shaping my thoughts of our mission in La Porte, was a very academic or Pentagon-like sounding term of “Strategic Communication.” Defined as making a difference in knowledge, attitude and/or behavior, the idea of strategic communication embodied to me what I believe to be the foundation for achieving our mission in La Porte. For strategic communication to be effective, two criteria must be met. First, individuals have to have the freedom and security to make the decision independently for a true difference to be achieved. Second, a desired goal must exist; a point where a change in knowledge, attitude and/or behavior achieves the goal. Read more...
This year I am the president of the Greater La Porte Economic Development Committee (GLEDC). Few citizens outside of the business community are aware of our activities. Part of the reason for the anonymity is that much of GLEDC’s work is done out of the public eye. This article will help you to be aware of what we do for the betterment of La Porte. Read more...
5. How Do We End Political Gridlock? Embrace the Millennial Mindset
There seem to be very few things that Republicans, Democrats, Independents and others can agree on, but across the country there is one resounding message from all political backgrounds: the political gridlock has to end. Pundits, party leaders and everyone in between have offered differing suggestions on how to curb the gridlock, but most of these recommendations are ultimately based on supporting a particular ideology which only contributes to rather than alleviates the current problem. I would like to offer a radical solution to end political gridlock: support candidates and elected officials who embrace the characteristics that generational scholars have held their nose and assigned to the Millennial Generation. Read more...
6. A Spark for Change: Little Eyes
Unless we decide to move to a remote part of Antarctica or become a self sufficient recluse, we will be surrounded by people daily. While it's important to always set a good example for everyone, we need to be extra cognizant of the little eyes that are watching us. There are very few things more important than being a good role model for the younger generation. Read more...
I was at the La Porte County Fair, and it was there that I found the topic for my column this week. It wasn’t legend Willie Nelson, the food, or the sights that stuck out to me. It was a little girl who made the biggest impact on me and left me inspired. Read more...
8. Being Active Has Become More Than a Habit, It’s Become an Essential Part of My Life
One of the best things about being active is that there are lots of options. You can swim, play football, run, dance, surf, ski, walk...walk backwards -whatever makes you happy. And you can switch things up whenever you like. This week, Stacey Schoof Harris tells us Why she LOVES Being Active in NWI. And she dabbles in multiple activities. Read more...
9. Back to School is for the Parent too!
The time is now for our children to go back to school. So, parents all over this county will head out to get school supplies, clothes and other items to prepare their children for a great first day of school and ultimately a successful year of education. Most of our children have been out of the education arena this summer and have enjoyed nice days outside, spending time with friends, engaging in video game competition, and perhaps late night television exploration. The children young and old will have to get into a routine of getting up in the morning, which will entail adjusting to a more reasonable sleep schedule. Read more...
Well, I have officially made it through my first three weeks of college unscathed-save for a few minor scratches on my legs from wrestling with pedals while locking up my bike. I left La Porte and the comfort of my home for Purdue University a few weeks ago with little idea of what to expect. I was eager and maybe a little bit too excited to start this chapter of my life, and now I would like to look back on my experience thus far. Read more...