Mason Nobles (Cross Country, Indiana State University) grew up in Valparaiso. HelloNation asks student athletes one question about the place that raised them and records the answer on camera. This is Mason Nobles’s, in full.
The question
Name three small business owners in your community who have had a meaningful impact on others or inspired you personally. Who are they, and why do they stand out as a pillar of your community?
The answer, as recorded
Transcript. What follows is a transcript of the video above, in Mason Nobles’s own words. It has not been rewritten, and no part of it was drafted for them.
Valparaiso business owners like Carlos Rivero and Elena Giambarina, Scott and Anne-Marie Severson, and the Gorgion family stand as community pillars in the Valparaiso community. They consistently elevate the city through sustained charity work, environmental innovation, and decades of vibrant local hospitality. Carlos Rivero and Elena Giambarina, operating in downtown Valparaiso for over 40 years, this husband and wife duo was celebrated for bringing authentic Spanish cuisine while simultaneously dedicating themselves to local nonprofits. They are prominent champions of the Backpacks and Snacks program and support organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Caring Place. Their warmth and consistent generosity have earned them the official City of Valparaiso recognition as good neighbors. Scott and Anne-Marie Severson, as co-founders of this environmental consulting firm, the Seversons have made a profound impact by combining successful business ownership with sustainability. Their innovation system transforms dairy cow manure into organic fertilizer, helping clients achieve environmental compliance while lowering costs. The Gorgion family has firmly established themselves as local staples through multiple dining establishments in the downtown area. Beyond their brick and mortar locations, they deeply engage the community by bringing their mobile wood-cooked specialty pizzas to local farmer's markets and community gatherings, making their presence a constant welcoming fixture in Valparaiso.
Recorded by HelloNation as part of its athlete voices program and published by Hello Newswire, HelloNation’s good news newswire. The words are the speaker’s own.
Reported by Hello Newswire.