Welcome to Columbia City, Indiana, where classic American small-town appeal meets a vibrant community spirit. Often heralded as a
hidden gem of the Midwest, Columbia City offers an inviting blend of rich history and promising modernity.
As you stroll down the picturesque streets of the downtown area, you’re enveloped by the warmth of locally-owned shops, delightful dining options, and charming boutiques. The annual Whitley County farmers’ market is a lively centerpiece, promising fresh produce and artisan goods that reflect the community’s dedication to local living.
Nature lovers can rejoice with the abundance of parks and green spaces, creating a sanctuary for outdoor activities and family gatherings. Morsches Park, sprawled across 117 acres, offers sports fields, picnic areas, and serene walking trails—an ideal spot to unwind.
Columbia City also takes pride in its robust educational system, with schools that prioritize excellence and a supportive environment for students and families. The city brims with opportunities for cultural engagement, from enriching community theater productions to the yearly Old Settler’s Days festival, celebrating tradition and camaraderie.
Living in Columbia City isn’t just about where you reside but how you thrive. It’s about enjoying the best of both worlds—a peaceful pace coupled with an energetic, harmonious community.
Discover the Charm of Columbia City,
Discover the Charm of Columbia City, Indiana
Welcome to Columbia City, Indiana, where classic American small-town appeal meets a vibrant community spirit. Often heralded as a hidden gem of the Midwest, Columbia City offers an inviting blend of rich history and promising modernity.
As you stroll down the picturesque streets of the downtown area, you’re enveloped by the warmth of locally-owned shops, delightful dining options, and charming boutiques. The annual Whitley County farmers’ market is a lively centerpiece, promising fresh produce and artisan goods that reflect the community’s dedication to local living.
Nature lovers can rejoice with the abundance of parks and green spaces, creating a sanctuary for outdoor activities and family gatherings. Morsches Park, sprawled across 117 acres, offers sports fields, picnic areas, and serene walking trails—an ideal spot to unwind.
Columbia City also takes pride in its robust educational system, with schools that prioritize excellence and a supportive environment for students and families. The city brims with opportunities for cultural engagement, from enriching community theater productions to the yearly Old Settler’s Days festival, celebrating tradition and camaraderie.
Living in Columbia City isn’t just about where you reside but how you thrive. It’s about enjoying the best of both worlds—a peaceful pace coupled with an energetic, harmonious community.
Real Learning Requires Real Engagement
Real learning goes far beyond memorizing facts or completing worksheets. While those methods might result in a decent grade, they often don’t lead to meaningful understanding. For knowledge to stick and truly shape a student’s thinking, engagement must be at the heart of the learning experience. Engagement isn't just an
educational ideal—it's a necessity.
Active engagement involves more than just listening to a lecture or copying notes. It means participating in meaningful discussions, collaborating with peers, tackling real-world problems, and exploring topics in ways that make them relevant to students' lives. These
6 | HelloColumbia City, Indiana • Summer Issue
Real Learning Requires Real Engagement
Real learning goes far beyond memorizing facts or completing worksheets. While those methods might result in a decent grade, they often don’t lead to meaningful understanding. For knowledge to stick and truly shape a student’s thinking, engagement must be at the heart of the learning experience. Engagement isn't just an educational ideal—it's a necessity.
Active engagement involves more than just listening to a lecture or copying notes. It means participating in meaningful discussions, collaborating with peers, tackling real-world problems, and exploring topics in ways that make them relevant to students' lives. These opportunities help students connect with what they’re learning on a deeper level.
Students who are actively engaged in their learning retain information up to three times longer than those who passively receive it. This highlights just how critical it is to design lessons that draw students in. When students are truly involved, they’re more likely to ask questions, test ideas, and reflect on their thinking—all of which lead to a deeper and longer-lasting understanding.
Engagement also plays a vital role in developing important life skills. Through interactive learning experiences, students practice critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. These are the tools they’ll need in college, careers, and life beyond the classroom.
Creating engaging classroom environments doesn’t mean sacrificing structure or academic rigor. In fact, engagement often strengthens both. It’s about designing lessons that spark curiosity, foster creativity, and offer students some ownership in their learning journey. Even small shifts—like integrating student choice, using project-based learning, or connecting lessons to real-world events—can have a powerful impact.
When students are truly engaged, learning becomes more than a task to complete—it becomes a process they value. In these classrooms, students are not only learning content; they’re discovering how to learn, how to think, and how to believe in their own potential.
Dr. Laura McDermott
students in. When students are truly involved, they’re more likely to ask questions, test ideas, and reflect on their thinking—all of which lead to a deeper and longer-lasting understanding.
Engagement also plays a vital role in developing important life skills. Through interactive learning experiences, students practice critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. These are the tools they’ll need in college, careers, and life beyond the classroom.
Creating engaging classroom environments doesn’t mean sacrificing structure or academic rigor. In fact, engagement...
opportunities help students connect with what they’re learning on a deeper level.
Students who are actively engaged in their learning retain information up to three times longer than those who passively receive it. This highlights just how critical it is to design lessons that draw
Students who are actively engaged in their learning retain information up to three times longer than those who passively receive it.
About the Author
Dr. Laura McDermott is Superintendent of Whitley County Consolidated Schools, with over 15 years in district leadership. Her career spans roles as Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and Elementary Teacher, reflecting deep experience in education policy, curriculum development, and inclusive instruction across multiple grade levels.
HelloColumbia City, Indiana • Summer Issue |7
Hometown Heroes celebrates the brave men and women from Columbia City who answered the call to serve. They left their homes, families, and communities to defend our freedoms. They brought with them the values of their upbringing, woven into the fabric of the communities they cherished. Across generations, these heroes stood united, embodying courage, sacrifice, and a love of country that knows no bounds. Whether on land, sea, or in
the skies, they carried the spirit of their hometowns with them, facing challenges with unyielding resolve and selflessness. We honor their service, their legacy, and the communities that raised them. Today, we remember not just their dedication but the strength and unity that bind us all as Americans. Their stories are our stories, a testament to the enduring spirit of the United States and the bonds that make us strong.
Hometown Heroes
10 | HelloColumbia City, Indiana • Summer Issue
Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes celebrates the brave men and women from Columbia City who answered the call to serve. They left their homes, families, and communities to defend our freedoms. They brought with them the values of their upbringing, woven into the fabric of the communities they cherished. Across generations, these heroes stood united, embodying courage, sacrifice, and a love of country that knows no bounds. Whether on land, sea, or in the skies, they carried the spirit of their hometowns with them, facing challenges with unyielding resolve and selflessness. We honor their service, their legacy, and the communities that raised them. Today, we remember not just their dedication but the strength and unity that bind us all as Americans. Their stories are our stories, a testament to the enduring spirit of the United States and the bonds that make us strong.
Proudly Partnering with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors
At HelloNation, we are honored to serve as America’s Video Magazine, bringing to life the stories of over 40,000 towns and cities across the country. Our mission is to celebrate the vibrancy, culture, and opportunities in every community, creating a digital platform that informs, inspires, and connects residents, businesses, and newcomers alike.
We are deeply proud to have the support and endorsement of two of the
nation’s most respected organizations: the National League of Cities (NLC) and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Through their partnership, the NLC and the U.S. Conference of Mayors affirm their confidence in HelloNation’s vision and our shared belief in the power of storytelling to highlight the unique character of each community.
Their words underscore the importance of our mission: to make every town and city visible on the national stage, highlighting what makes each one special and worth exploring. Together, with the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, we are committed to ensuring that every community in America has a voice and a platform to shine. Thank you for supporting our journey as we bring local stories to life, one video at a time.
These influential entities advocate tirelessly on behalf of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing every community and ensuring their voices are heard on a national scale.
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16 | HelloColumbia City, Indiana • Summer Issue
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Hello Columbia City, Indiana • Summer Issue |17
These influential entities advocate tirelessly on behalf of America’s cities, towns, and villages, representing every community and ensuring their voices are heard on a national scale.
