Two local collegiates among finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award

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Updated: March 17, 2012 10:17AM

Another twosome this week, only this time it’s for individuals instead of schools — two outstanding senior college students who are among six finalists for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award, which is based on excellence in character, classroom, community and competition.

Robbie Hummel of Valparaiso and Zack Novak of Chesterton are two young men our entire county can be proud of for the way they have represented all of us at their respective universities, not just as athletes, but in all aspects of their lives.

We have known Robbie his entire life, and I have used him as an example to many of our Special Olympians for the way he handles the ups and downs of life. As an amazing Purdue University basketball player, he was struck with an overabundance of adversity, tearing an anterior cruciate ligament, not once, but twice in the midst of awesome seasons.

But being the kind of man he is, there was no whining, just a determination to help others while he healed. He worked ceaselessly to get back to being a contributing member of the team.

While he was hurting, inside as well, he still assisted at camps for elementary students who wanted to “be just like Robbie.” He has a special nature that bonds with special needs kids, and our athletes truly look up to him, and not just because he’s tall. Just as many parents look up to this very super guy whose quiet personality, delightful smile, and gentle ways endear him to all those who meet him.

Although I don’t know Zack Novak personally, we have watched him continue to develop his outstanding basketball talent at the University of Michigan.

It is really easy to tell what kind of a person a player is by the way he acts on the court, his attentiveness to coaches, and attitude to other players. It is obvious that Zack fills the bill as someone special just by “knowing” him on the basketball court.

In talking to some Chesterton friends, Zack is also the kind of young man who willingly helps others — and he has cute curly hair!

Both of these superstars are humble, superb men who don’t have an egotistical bone in their bodies. It’s up to all of us to help the nation know that great people come from Porter County.

Your job is easy — just go to www.seniorclassaward.com, click on men’s basketball and vote. Vote every day using any electronic device connected to the Internet — computer, game systems, phones, Kindles, iPads — until March 18.

Voting every day is extremely important, so please stick a note on your device to remind you. It’s easy to remember if it’s your child or relative, but a little harder when it’s not, but these two pet persons are worth the effort.

Congratulations, Robbie and Zack, and God bless your future plans. Thanks for being superior examples to children and adults.

And thanks to all of you who will be voting every day — and to Lowe’s for this opportunity.

I sure am hoping that the Gary/Chicago airport’s new tenant can stick around for a while and become “our” airline so that we don’t have to fight traffic any more to Midway or O’Hare. Even if there are flights to just certain destinations, and not too many time choices, just the promise of things to come would be a plus.

Gosh, I don’t know what most of us would do if it only took 30 to 60 minutes to get to an airport, get checked in and be ready to fly high. It would be like a dream world. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this time it’s a “Go.”

Then I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.