Tracy Banghart

Tracy is a nursing student at PNC. Her parents read to her at a very early age, so she's always loved to read. Writing comes very naturally to her.

Laura Brown-Rumler

Laura Brown-Rumler parents the three most fabulous children on the planet and attends PNC part time, spinning other plates like a full-time job, a nasty addiction to digital photography, and a mean tomato patch, come summer. She owes untold gratitude to her rigid but fair English instructor for flunking her two straight semesters at a pivotal time in her life and plans to take these lessons with her in her journey, like sandwiches in a picnic basket. Laura hopes to stay just outside her comfort zone for the remainder of her life, ensuring that she will continue to reach and grow and, hopefully, her kids will pay attention.

Joe Cincoski

Joe is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Communications. He enjoys writing short stories and poems. “Victory Gardens” was inspired by an article that Joe read in an anthropology class.

Diana Esparza

Diana Esparza is currently in between her freshman and sophomore year at PNC. In a couple of years, she hopes to finish a Biology degree from here. Diana enjoys all things related to art, or expression, and she hopes this won't be the last time she gets to present a work to you all. In ''Will You Imagine?” Diana writes, “whether we can will the imagination to soar across the decades and strive to raise the sun on those years. For your generation, mine, our kids: imagine a resurrection of the message, that will survive, through its sunrise and sunset of breathing, and then not. The illumination of the days of its rebirth: the message expressed is infinitely rising, and manifesting a shimmer, a song,
a seed in all who listen.”

Pleasant Gagaleski

Pleasant obtained her associates degree in Industrial Engineering Technology in 2006 and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree. She lives in Rolling Prairie and recently re-married last year. She has two grown sons and loves animals. Her hobbies include working logic puzzles, camping, and updating her house. She also enjoys amateur photography and traveling, which she combined in her winning entry, “The Vintage Years,” which is a photograph of her mother-in-law in Macedonia.

April Hodge

April is a member of the Class of 2008 and will receive her Bachelor of English degree. April returned to school after becoming a mother of four and is graduating at the young age of thirty-one. Aside from the full-time duties of motherhood, she enjoys reading, writing, and gardening. The people at PNC have enriched her life and renewed her curiosity. She is happy to have had this opportunity to leave a little portion of herself at PNC because a lot of PNC will be going with her. Awwwww.

Tom Kuehl

Tom was born in 1967 in Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated from George Washington High School in 1985 as just an average teenager, not really knowing what life had to offer. In November of 1985 Tom joined the U.S. Navy, a decision that shaped him into the man he is today. He was an industrial mechanic for 17 years before being released as a disabled veteran. Tom has been married to Sandi for sixteen wonderful years and they have five beautiful children. Tom is now enrolled at PNC as a freshman in the MET program and is working toward his bachelor's degree.

Megan C. Higgins

Megan is a senior at PNC. Upon graduation she intends to move to Chicago, where she will work as a paralegal whilst studying to obtain her law degree. Megan owes her strong dedication to school work and generally determined nature to her family, who have encouraged her to strive for excellence. Megan loves little getaways to Chicago to visit its museums and view all of its bizarre daily happenings. Megan hopes that her work as an attorney and then as a judge will lead her to do great things and improve the lives of the American public.

Stephany Leib

Stephany was born and raised in Valparaiso, Indiana and graduated from Morgan Township High School in 2007. She is now a full time freshman at Purdue North Central and is currently majoring in Psychology, but she is also interested in Business. She plans on obtaining a bachelor's degree in one of these disciplines. Stephany has been an employee of Porter Hospital for the past three years. She enjoys dancing and listening to music. Stephany loves helping and inspiring others to take advantage of the opportunities placed before them.

Jonathon Meyers

Jonathon Meyers, who is from Michigan City, is a full time student at Purdue North Central, majoring in Business Marketing and English. He graduated from Michigan City High School in June, 2000. He joined the Army February 19, 2001, following in his grandfather's footsteps, and plans on pursuing a career in the military. Jon graduated from Airborne School from Fort Benning in June 2001. He was called to active duty and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 in 2003. In October, 2008 he will return to Iraq for one year. Following that he will return to Purdue North Central to continue his education. Jon is thankful for his in-laws, his wife Adrienne, and Professor Laudig for their support.

Jacqueline Michalik

Jacqueline Michalik is a second year college student. She attended the University of Evansville before deciding she wanted to change her major to Early Childhood Education, which the University of Evansville did not offer. She currently works a few hours a week in the PNC day care. She has lived in Northwest Indiana the majority of her life, but will be taking a big step by moving to New York City to live with her boyfriend of four years and his family. She loves animals, enjoys photography, and avidly reads historical fiction.

Sara Watterson

A sophomore majoring in Elementary Education, Sara loves working with children of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Volunteering at several schools in addition to teaching her own class, she is able to experience the beauty and treasure reflected within each of the young hearts with whom she comes in contact. As a result of working
with such diversity, she feels a strong call to see this same dignity reflected in the eyes and lives of all persons—whether they are young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor.

List of Portals Winners