Lowell students win Congressional App Challenge
Dilylah Johnson, Gabriella Holt, and Logan Haskins of Lowell High School are the winning team of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Indiana’s First Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced Thursday. The students used Block Code to create their winning application, “Feline Frenzy,” where players help a stray cat named Whiskers jump over trash cans to collect points, is a game designed to raise awareness about animal shelters and inspire people to adopt pets.
“Thank you to all of the students who participated in the Congressional App Challenge this year!” Mrvan said in a news release. “Congratulations to Dilylah, Gabriella, and Logan from Lowell High School on this remarkable achievement and for your efforts to raise awareness about the issues that matter most to you. I thank all of the educators and schools across our region for your dedication to STEM education and your efforts to foster innovation and creativity in our students.”
Mrvan’s office said 175 students across the 1st Congressional District participated in the App Challenge.
Valerie Hunter, Lead STEM Educator at the Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana and Judge of the Congressional App Challenge stated, “Feline Frenzy definitely stood out among all of the entries for its attention to detail, style, creativity, and overall message. The creators’ hard work and passion shone throughout.”
A demonstration video of the “Feline Frenzy” app can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5umoHd7mEs. “Feline Frenzy” will be part of a rotating display in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the House.gov website for one year.
PNW announces 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame award winners
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will honor five exceptional university alumni through its expanded 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame awards, according to a release.
Included in the fourth annual class are Nicole Kupchik, CEO of Nicole Kupchik Consulting Inc., and Mason Macenski, vice president of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Miromatrix Medical Inc. In addition, the first recipient of the Pride of PNW Alumni Award is Rick Calinski, director of Public Affairs and Economic Development for Northern Indiana Public Service Co.
The other awardees are Debbie Bachmann, administrator of Honors Student Leadership and Programming at PNW; and Ayana Clark, founder of A&J Branding and organizer for United Power for Action & Justice.
The 2025 PNW Alumni Hall of Fame class will be honored April 3 during a reception and dinner at Alumni Hall in the Student Union Library Building, 2200 169th St., Hammond. Ticket and sponsorship information can be viewed at pnw.edu/hall-of-fame.
Franciscan Health hosting free car seat safety event in Griffith
Franciscan Health Trauma Services is hosting a free car seat safety event from 2-4 p.m. Feb. 21 in partnership with the Griffith Fire Department at the department’s Station No. 1, 130 N. Lafayette St., a release said.
A safety technician will work with participants to teach them how to properly install a car seat. The child who uses the car seat must be present at the appointment in order for the technician to provide appropriate guidance, the release said. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy may attend as well.
Upon completion of the appointment, participants should be able to install a car seat safely.
The safety check is free, but reservations are required. Registration is available online or by calling 219-488-1380.
Gary legislator wins annual award
State Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, recently received the 2025 Drum Major Award presented by the Gary Frontiers Service Club for his commitment and dedication to his community, a release said.
The award is named after Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon, the release said. This annual award is given to an individual who continues fighting for King’s dream and works to improve other’s human experience.
“It is an immense honor to receive this award. I am blessed to have the privilege to serve the wonderful people of Gary,” Smith said in the release. “Time has passed since the Civil Rights Movement, but Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy persists through those who serve. As I said in a recent speech celebrating his memory, I feel unworthy to be compared to the role model exemplar Martin Luther King.”
VU student named Excel state champion
LaPorte native Aidan Ross, a College of Business at Valparaiso University finance major, has been recognized as the Indiana State Champion in Excel, according to a release.
Microsoft Office 365 Excel certification is earned after passing a proctored, standards-based exam and each state’s highest-scoring individual is named the champion. Ross, a senior, achieved a perfect score and had the fastest time in Indiana, the release said.
For more information on the programs and opportunities at VU’s College of Business, visit valpo.edu/business.
Lowell Post adds five new troopers
Five of the 30 new Indiana State troopers have been assigned to the Lowell Post, according to a release.
The five recent graduates of the 86th Police Academy will begin their next phase of training, a three-month field training period, riding with veteran troopers. Troopers included Amanda Parker, from Astoria, Illinois, who attended Indiana Institute of Technology where she majored in Criminal Justice and minored in psychology. Trooper Jaylen Holt-Terry, from Bolingbrook, Illinois, graduated from Bolingbrook High School in 2019.
Trooper Adam Pratt is from Fountain County, Indiana, earned a bachelor’s degree in Community Health and completed his master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Indiana University. Trooper James J. Williams II is from South Bend, and is a graduate of John Adams High School also in South Bend. Trooper Caleb Somerville is a native of Kentucky, where he graduated from Estill County High School and is working to complete his degree at Eastern Kentucky University.
Ivy Tech partners with Israeli tech firm
Ivy Tech Community College CyberSecurity Program students are defending data fortresses and securing the byte world across a variety of program and course offerings through the School of Information Technology in Porter County, a release said.
The college recently announced a new partnership with Israeli-based tech firm CyberProAI to help students train with dynamic interactive software, exercises, labs and military grade cyber attack simulators, a release said.
Franciscan Health hosting free heart screening event
Franciscan Health is hosting a free, educational heart screening event during American Heart Month aimed at helping residents better understand and manage their cardiac risk, according to a release.
The Heart to Heart event is scheduled to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 Taft St. in Merrillville. Dr. J. Michael Tuchek, a cardiothoracic surgeon, will share information about the importance of patients knowing their blood pressure readings as well as their cholesterol and blood sugar levels and how they can all impact heart health, the release said.
The event is free, but registration is required as seating is limited. Attendees may register for the breakfast and presentation only or a heart screening followed by breakfast and the presentation. Registration is available online at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/cjtd23j.
