United Way Northwest Indiana and University of Phoenix announce new scholarship

In partnership with the United Way in Northwest Indiana, University of Phoenix and its Northwest Indiana Campus today announced that it will provide a full-tuition scholarship to be put toward a four-year bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is part of the new United Way Success By 6 Scholarship for early childhood education workers in Northwest Indiana seeking to advance their careers.

The full-tuition scholarship can be used for new students in the Bachelor’s of Science in Education or a Transition to Teaching Certification program at the University’s campus in Merrillville at 8401 Ohio Street.

On April 22, 2012 (Earth Day), Tri Kappa’s Zeta Psi chapter will host its inaugural Tri Kappa Dash for the ‘Green’ 5K Run/Walk to raise funds to promote charity, culture and education in our community. Last year Tri Kappa’s Zeta Psi chapter donated over $10,000 to a variety of organizations including Meals on Wheels, St Jude House, scholarships for college-bound students, and art scholarships to middle school students to name a few. This year we are committed to give back even more to our community.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County is proud to recognize its outstanding Members of the Month for January. The Member of the Month program recognizes Club members who best demonstrate the ideals of the Boys & Girls Club, which include developing productive, responsible, and caring citizens.

Portage Forrest “Dusty” Rhode Club— Austin Austin attends Willowcreek Middle School and is in 8th grade. He has been a member of the Portage Forrest “Dusty” Rhode Club for three years. He enjoys open gym time at the Club because he can play many different sports. Austin’s favorite food is steak and his goal in life is to become a professional football player.

Purdue University North Central Chancellor, Dr. James B. Dworkin, has been presented with the prestigious Castaldi Award, given by the Indiana Association of United Ways in recognition of his commitment to the United Way.

The award was presented as part of the recent Volunteers of the Year Recognition Banquet in Indianapolis.

Funds raised will help residents of Portage learn, grown and thrive

Every day, the Portage Township YMCA serves as a gathering place for the community. Kids pour in after school for sports, gymnastics, Zumbatomic and more. Seniors meet for Active Older Adult group exercise classes such as Blast to the Past and Gentle Yoga, computer classes and to connect with one another. To ensure that the Y can continue to provide Portage residents with life enhancing services, the Portage Township YMCA is launching its annual community support campaign “They Depend on Us, We Depend on You”.

Portage High School senior Marko Pekovic was in disbelief when his name was called as the winner of the 2012 PHS Outstanding Young Man Scholarship program.  Pekovic’s success in the event attests to his commitment, intelligence, stage presence and personality.

“I was actually pretty shocked.  I didn’t realize that I could win.  I was waiting for someone else’s name to be called.  When they called my name I was really happy, but it was really shocking at the same time,” Pekovic said.