Schmal, Sanchez receive Chief’s Award
The Lake County Public Defender’s office recently recognized two Lake County staffers with The Chief’s Award during the office’s quarterly meeting.
Scott Schmal, Lake County finance director, and attorney Felipe Sanchez each were presented the award by Marce Gonzalez Jr., chief public defender of Lake County, according to a release.
Gonzalez, who selects the annual recipients, said he created the award in 2019 to recognize “a friend who supports and shares the vision of the Public Defender Office.”
Franciscan adds physician in Michigan City
Dr. Alicja Milik is now part of the Franciscan Physician Network and is accepting new patients in Michigan City, a release said.
Milik, an internal medicine specialist, earned her medical degree from the Medical University of Lublin in Lublin, Poland. She completed her residency at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Milik is accepting new patients at the Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center, 1225 E. Coolspring Ave., Suite 2E, in Michigan City. Call 219-878-5014.
Morton High student wins Congressional App challenge
A Morton High School student has won the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Indiana’s First Congressional District, according to a release from U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland.
Josue Pedraza used JavaScript to create his winning application, “RoboticsMuse.” The application is an educational hub with resources and interactive lessons for students to learn more about robotics and find a community of peers who are also interested in STEM, the release said.
A demonstration video of the “RoboticsMuse” app can be found on YouTube. “RoboticsMuse” will be part of a rotating display in the U.S. Capitol and will also be featured on the House.gov website for one year.
The annual nationwide academic competition is for middle school and high school students.
Cursive Academy gains non-profit status
Cursive Academy has achieved non-profit status as a 501c3 organization, according to a release.
The academy is owned by Terrell Whittington and his wife/co-founder, Chelsea Whittington. Founded in June, Cursive Academy has graduated 83 students teaching participants the basics of cursive handwriting and how to sign their name, the release said.
In addition to securing the 501c3 designation, Lois Whittaker, of Royalty Strategic Consultants, will assist the Whittingtons in identifying grants and providing help with the grant application process, the release said.
To mark the non-profit designation, Terrell Whittington will teach a free, two-day cursive workshop from 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23 at the Gary Public Library, 220 W. 5th Ave., Gary. To reserve a spot for the course or to learn more about Cursive Academy, send an email to Chelsea@CWHITT.biz.
College of Technology receives cybersecurity grants
Purdue University Northwest’s College of Technology has been awarded more than $3 million through two separate U.S. Department of Defense grants to advance education and workforce development in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, a release said.
PNW’s Center for Cybersecurity, a research center administered by the College of Technology, received $3 million in continued support for its AI-cybersecurity workforce certification training online programs, the release said.
PNW’s program is free for accepted applicants and provides tracks in AI literacy, cybersecurity administration and digital forensics. To learn more, visit pnw.edu/cybersecurity.
First cohort graduates from mentorship program
The Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association has announced the graduation of the inaugural cohort of its mentorship program, marking a milestone in the organization’s mission to uplift and inspire women, according to a release.
A celebration was held during the recent Professional Women’s Conference at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, where both mentees and mentors were honored, the release said.
The six-month program pairs emerging professionals with seasoned leaders, creating one-on-one mentoring relationships that foster growth, confidence and career development.
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