February 10, 2000

Tangela Floyd

NIPSCO Communications Specialist

(219) 647-6377

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Gary Dean, one of the nation’s leading motivational speakers and a native of Northern Indiana, will present his "Teen Power" school assembly program to area high school students beginning February 14.

The program is being sponsored by Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., as part of its ongoing community service efforts, and is designed to help students confront some of the difficult problems facing them today.

"Mr. Dean’s presentation is very motivational and of great value to the students," said Victor DeMeyer, NIPSCO’s director of Public Affairs and Communication.

Dean, who has delivered his motivational message to students and Olympic athletes around the country, shows young people they already have the power to overcome the negative influences in their lives such as drugs, alcohol, and peer pressure. Through the use of drama and humor, Dean illustrates that the power to become successful in life lies within each student.

In addition, Dean will present a program entitled "Parents Making a Difference" at each high school. This program is open to the public and Dean encourages all parents to attend. Dean is a graduate of Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc., is a regulated utility that provides natural gas to nearly 700,000 customers and electricity to 416,000 customers across the northern third of Indiana. NIPSCO is the largest natural gas distribution company, and the second largest electric distribution company, in the state of Indiana. Information about NiSource Inc. and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.

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Monday, February 14, 2000

DeKalb High School 10:10 a.m.

Eastside High School 1:00 p.m.

Parent Program: DeKalb High School 7:00 p.m.

Prairie Heights High School 1:30 p.m.

Parent Program: Prairie Heights High School 7:30 p.m.

Culver High School 1:30 p.m.

Parent Program: Pierce Middle School 7:00 p.m.

Jimtown High School 10:00 a.m.

Warsaw High School 2:00 p.m.

Parent Program: Warsaw High School 7:00 p.m.

Lakeland High School 10:00 a.m.

Garrett High School 1:35 p.m.

Plymouth High School 10:20 a.m.

Argos High School 2:10 p.m.

Parent Program: Plymouth High School 7:00 p.m.

Portage High School 1:45 p.m.

Parent Program: Portage High School 7:00 p.m.

Central Noble High School 10:30 a.m.

East Noble High School 2:00 p.m.

Hamilton Alternative High School 9:15 a.m.

Fairfield High School 2:30 p.m.

Mishawaka High School 9:45 a.m.

Parent Program: East Noble High School 7:00 p.m.