Center Grove Faces in Intriguing Places

by Joyce Long

Parents want their children to grow up, think independently and fulfill their dreams. When they do, it isn’t always easy. For some Center Grove graduates, their lifeline home is Skype.


RJ Woessner – Class of 2006; Brooklyn, New York

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“You don’t have to have it all figured out. Follow your intuition. All you have to do is move forward. Drive is more important than talent.”

RJ spent most of his childhood south of Center Grove in Ellettsville, moving here when he was 12 with his family (parents Rob and Bonnie, twin brother Doug, younger siblings Scott and Kate). At Center Grove High School, RJ developed his love for music and the performing arts, crediting his teachers, Kathleen Kersey and Chris Pratt, for their help in pursuing his dream. After graduation, RJ attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and moved to Brooklyn in 2010.

Besides appearing in three TV shows (Deadly SinsThe Sing-OffOne Life to Live), RJ has starred in three original theatre productions. He currently works in advertising as a voice-over actor for commercials. Budweiser is his most well-known client. In August, RJ signed with Innovative Artists which will create more opportunities (rjwoessner.com).

“I love the fact that every day is a new adventure, and I get to surround myself with a lot of talented people. Because of this, I can grow with each project.”


Valerie Long – Class of 2003; Jerusalem, Israel

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“Don’t limit yourself. Whatever field you’re in, be open to going outside your comfort zone. Continue to knock on doors.”

Moving to Center Grove in 1987 with her parents, Al and Joyce, and older brother, Chris, Valerie stayed busy with dance and piano lessons, Lassie League softball, volleyball and Student Council. Active at Mount Pleasant Christian Church, she decided to attend Taylor University where she majored in International Business, minored in Bible and developed a heart for Israel and missions.

Valerie now lives in Jerusalem, working to complete her graduate degree in Biblical Hebrew and Cognate Languages. “I love growing in my understanding of the ancient Scriptures and their context. It’s made me realize Christianity started in the Near East and is not a product of the West.”

Valerie enjoys living in a city where three monotheistic faiths collide and claim their heritage. “There’s something about being out of your comfort zone that makes you less self-dependent, and it’s exciting to see God working in other places in the world.”



Barbara Belsito – Class of 2004; San Francisco, California

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“Once you’ve moved to a new life experience, give it a good amount of time before quitting or giving up. If you don’t like it at first, it tends to get better with time and experience. Sticking with it makes you stronger.”

In 1994, her mother, Anne, and two sisters, Jennifer and Katherine, moved to Center Grove from Tennessee. Barbara’s journey after graduation has taken her to places like Barcelona, Spain, and Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan. Her undergraduate degree from Indiana University in International Studies and Japanese facilitated her travels. Prior to returning for graduate studies, she taught English for a year in a Japanese high school.

This past May, Barbara finished her Master of Science degree in Human-Computer Interaction Design at IU. She now works as a full-time interaction designer (barbarabelsito.com) at StubHub/eBay Inc., a position that allows her “to focus on people and be creative.”

Because San Francisco is home to numerous tech companies, Barbara realizes she is well placed for her field of research-based product design. “It’s not uncommon to meet other designers out and about in daily life who work for companies such as Apple, Yelp, Foursquare, Twitter, Spotify, Facebook and the list goes on and on.”

 


Jessica Wright – Class of 2000; Pune, India

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“Make your own friends, be your own person and pursue your heart, not the dreams of others. Don’t fight your passion, and most importantly, don’t give up.”

When her parents, Dale and Sharon, and her older brother, Jonathon, relocated to Bargersville, Jessica was only four years old. Since graduation, her world has expanded. She studied fashion design in Chicago with subsequent stops in North Carolina, Greenwood, New York City and Indianapolis before moving overseas in 2011.

After watching The SOLD Project’s documentary on human trafficking, Jessica wanted to help at-risk women in impoverished areas. The Common Thread Collective (CTC) was soon launched (thecommonthreadcollective.org). Now a 501(c)(3), the CTCworks with women in Uganda and India teaching them not only to sew and design but also basic life skills and cognitive reasoning. “Fashion design, sewing and needle working have helped take all of our women out of prostitution and given them options.”

Jessica married an Egyptian civil engineer in November 2012; they met in India where they now live. Her lifestyle is definitely global. “There are days I speak Hindi, Arabic, French, English and Lugandan all within a few hours.”


Pierce Lane – Class of 2009; Cleveland, Tennessee / Denver, Colorado

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“Take time to get some real life experiences before you get too serious and too much responsibility.”

Pierce grew up in southern Tennessee, moving to Center Grove from Batesville as a junior. His mother, Carla, and stepfather, Jeff Johnson, still live here. Before moving, Pierce’s dream was to raft on the Ocoee River near his hometown, foreshadowing his current life of adventure. “I needed to be 12 years old to raft, and we moved when I was 11. The first time I actually rafted was my first day of guide training.”

When Pierce isn’t navigating the Ocoee’s class IV rapids, he works as a ski tech in Colorado and Lake Tahoe, the best of both worlds. “Basically I get paid to do what other people do for vacations. I help people conquer their fears.”

His lifestyle has a few challenges like keeping people calm and needing “to pack up my entire life every six months to chase the seasons.” Pierce’s goal is to finish his degree in business management and marketing and live in a city near the mountains.


Chase Coy – Class of 2009; Nashville, Tennessee

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“Just make sure you’re doing something you’re passionate about and that you’re proud of your work. Whatever happens is an added bonus.”

Along with his parents, David and Kim, and sister, Kira, Chase has called Center Grove home since his birth. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, 21 years later to further his career as a professional vocalist. Before he graduated from CGHS, he had one of his original songs released on iTunes and was featured as a rising new talent in folk music.

In the fall of 2009, Chase (chasecoy.com) signed a contract with New York City’s Universal Republic Records label. His first album, Picturesque, featured a duet with Grammy Award winner, Colbie Caillat, entitled “If the Moon Fell Down.”

Chase laughs when describing his workplace. “My apartment is half livable, half studio. I have about a five second commute.” Dreams for the future include touring with new albums and seeing the artists he helps become successful. Collaboratively written with Josh William, his new album debuted on iTunes October 15. “Just being able to work with other talented people has been really rewarding.”


Brent Mann – Class of 2008; Chicago, Illinois

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“If I were talking to me in high school, I would say to believe in yourself, put your nose to the grindstone and then just be yourself. Find your motivation and confidence, and then go for it.”

Living in Center Grove his entire life provided Brent many mentors including his parents, Richard and Susan, and his two older sisters, Jenny and Jessica. Finding his niche in music, Brent’s middle school choir director, Dan Anderson, helped him believe in himself. At IU, he performed with the a cappella men’s group, Straight No Chaser, while “majoring in minors” — music, legal studies, public management and environmental affairs.

Brent now tours with Gentleman’s Rule (gentlemansrule.com), also an a cappella group. Last fall they opened for Under the Streetlamp, the musicians who starred in the musical Jersey Boys, and enjoyed a 15-show run at Chicago’s Royal George Theatre. This month they will begin filming for a national broadcast.

A tenor, Brent wants to be able to support himself and keep this going as long as he can. “I’m honestly living my dream right now. It’s surreal. It took me a while to process how lucky I am.”





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Joyce Long, Greenwood Middle School language arts teacher from 1992-2000, has called Center Grove home for the past 25 years. Currently Joyce works as the communications coordinator for Center for Global Impact and is passionate about engaging people to empower the poor.

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