Interviews (Newsletter content)

Kody McCoy- Success Coach at Ivy Tech

In an interview with Kody McCoy, a Student Success Coach at Ivy
Tech and future board member of the EVSC Alumni Association, it
became apparent that the reason to give back to the school
corporation that shapes students as youths should also be a
tremendous part of their adult careers. As McCoy continues to work
with students at Ivy Tech, he tells the EVSC Alumni Association that,
on a daily basis I get to see the impact that I have on the students
lives. McCoy seemed to be both humbled and grateful for the
opportunity to work with students in order to see them on to a brighter
future. McCoy tells the Alumni Association that, It has changed my life
to look at everyone differently and know that everyone is battling with
a different challenge in life. So much of the emphasis that we put on
students is to make sure that there is a balance in both life and
school. McCoy genuinely shared his stories of the support and
gratitude he feels towards the students that walk in out and out of his
office. To McCoy, working with students at Ivy Tech has become a way
of, understanding people and where they come from. I would like to
think that it has made me a better person just dealing with students.
Since McCoy helps in assisting students that struggle from time to
time, academically, we asked him what he tells his students to boost
them up and set them on the right path towards graduation. He tells us

that the best advice he can give to his students is, to make them
believe in themselves. We want them to instill trust and confidence in
themselves first, that way it carries on into the school environment.
As McCoy continues to hold strong connections to his alma mater
he continues on to say that, I think it is very important to have school
pride. Being that I am a Harrison High School graduate, so many of the
relationships that I made there have made me who I am today.
Instead of moving on from the school corporation that appears to have
shaped McCoy in so many ways, he has chosen to give back to it.
McCoy confidently tells us that, giving back to the school corporation
is molding the future of a community. We are only as strong as our
school systems, being that they are producing some of the future
leaders of Evansville. McCoy is a former assistant coach of Harrison
High Schools soccer team and continues to work for the betterment of
students in our community. When asked about his thoughts on giving
back to his community he tells us that it is important to him personally
because he feels that he is, repaying all the people who once did
these things for me. After talking with McCoy it is apparent that he will
be an invaluable team member on the EVSC Alumni Board because of
the amount of pride that he feels for the school corporation and this
community as a whole. As the EVSC Alumni Association grows, our
hope is that with this growth there will also be a reformation and

continuation of connections, like Kody McCoy, who believe in both the

past and present of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation.

Randy Moore- Newscaster on 14WFIE

When the name Randy Moore is heard around the tri-state, most
people associate it with a face that has shaped some of our local
television stations for many years. After interviewing him at 14WFIE, it
is easy to see that the man behind the camera cares just as much for
his community off script as he does on. He tells the EVSC Alumni
Association that, It is a tradeoff, you can go and move up and move
around and find new challenges and have all the excitement of that,
but there is nothing that can replace being in your hometown.
During his interview Moore discussed his early years at the EVSC
with nothing but a resounding sense of fondness for all of his alma
maters. When asked if there was anything that he would like to go
back and change if he had the chance to be a K-12 student again, he
told the Alumni Association that he would not change anything. Moore
states that, it was really kind of an idyllic upbringing. I went to Harper
elementary school and that was in the k-8 days. That was my home
away form home for nine years. Not only did Harrison have a big
impression on my life, but Harper had maybe an even bigger
impression. We took such pride; there really was school spirit involved
with being a student at Harper. When I think back on my childhood and

my school friends I certainly had a lot of friends from high school, but
more often than not, I think about those kids I went to elementary
school with. Moore recounted stories and people that accounted for
significant part of his time at the EVSC during his childhood. He
explained to us that many of his teachers in the EVSC made lasting
impacts on his adult career. Specifically, Moore talked about two
teachers, Mr. Fisher and Jeff Brant, of Harrison High School, that left a
lasting impression. When talking about Jeff Brant, a former
photography teacher at Harrison High School, Moore said that, He
knew I had an interest beyond just taking photography and passing the
course. He was very helpful to me. He gave me extra time in the dark
room to hone my skills. That made an impact. In regards to Mr. Fisher,
a former journalism teacher at Harrison High School, Moore says that,
We had a really strong high school newspaper back in the mid 1970s.
It was really a good experience that served me well, not only in high
school, but getting into college and starting my career. He spoke
highly of both his time at the EVSC and the teachers that shaped his
experience there. Moore stated that, there are always a handful of
teachers that you really remember. You dont remember the classes
per say, you remember the teachers and they have a profound
impact. Randy Moore continues to hold ties with some of his former
classmates and supported the construction of the Harrison High School
football stadium. He continues to attend sporting events, being a

former athlete at Harrison High School. When asked about giving back
to the community he stated that, I think that staying in your
hometown and working in your hometown means that you are more
than just taking away from the community, you are giving back. After
his interview with the EVSC Alumni Association, it is apparent that
Randy Moores time in the EVSC positively impacted the person that he
is today. His parting words to the Alumni Association were words of
advice to EVSC students. What I always tell kids is just fall in love with
reading and become tremendous readers. It was important to me. I
could not wait to get in to school and learn how to read. I would
encourage kids, the sooner, the better, to start reading, fall in love with
reading, and to read as much as you can.

Clay Riley Hassler- Winner of the Grand Jury Award at Dances

with Films in LA
Poverty is not an easy topic to approach, considering the amount
of people faced with it inside of the United States. Riley and Tiffany
Hassler, recipients of the Grand Jury Award at Dances with Films in Los
Angeles, in an interview with the EVSC Alumni Association, told us
about the time they spent making their film Homeless in the shelters

of North Carolina. Clay Hassler tells us that the two are interested in
making films that deal with social issues, he said, Its our passion. We
kind of live breathe film all the time. We know that stories can impact
people in a very meaningful way.
The two employed residents inside of homeless shelters to be the
actors in this film and the main character was not a formally trained
actor. When asked about why they chose to do this, Hassler stated
that, we wanted to cast local people with local color. We wanted to get
real people. We didnt want this to be farce in any way.
Although some of the content of this film is rather bleak, the
Hasslers have attempted to shed light on the situation and give back
to the community in which it was filmed. Clay Hassler tells the EVSC
Alumni Association that the film is opening opportunities for nonprofits and churches to post fundraisers for local charities and
homeless shelters. One of the fundraisers they intend to have, will be
held in North Carolina, where Homeless was filmed. Hassler tells us
that they are, ultimately trying to highlight those in society who are
on the margins or tend to get overlooked, in their films.
During the interview, the Hasslers told us about their favorite
part of making this film. Both agreed that the filming process was their
favorite. Tiffany told us a story about a time that they were filming a
night scene for the movie in December. Since they were filming inside
of an actual shelter, the men involved in the film process were able to

stay inside that day, since residents are required to leave from 7 am- 7
pm during the day. She tells us that there was one man in particular
who kept laughing. She said, He just kept giggling. He was just so
happy to be inside.
In this interview the Hasslers told us about their time in the EVSC
as well. Clay told us that John Siau, a former North High School teacher
and board member on the Alumni Association, and Jack Schreiber, had
a positive impact on his artistic career. It is inspiring to hear stories like
the Hasslers, people who have taken the tools that they have received
in their educational experiences and implemented them in a way that
has not only bettered themselves but the communities in which they
have done their work. They continue to keep in touch with some of the
people that were part of their time here in the EVSC.

Jerry and Karen Tucker- 1965 North High School Grads

I remember our first date. I can tell you what she was wearing,
Jerry Tucker told the EVSC Alumni Association while he was sitting next
to his wife. Karen and Jerry Tucker celebrated their fiftieth wedding
anniversary on July 31. The two are 1965 North High School graduates.
They went to both their junior and senior proms together. In a coffee
shop, they recounted memories of their time together, as well as their
time at North High School. Karen said fondly she, loved every minute
of it. While discussing their first date, Karen told us that, we went to
the Sunset Drive In on 41 North. The drive in is no longer there, but
the Tuckers still remember it as the place that they went on their first
date.
The two told stories about the people they have met and the
places they went after their time at North High School. Karen Tucker
told us that they still stay in touch with some of their fellow 1965 North
High School graduates. Karen said that, we have a reunion every five
years and we go to every one of them.
There were a multitude of teachers that the Tuckers discussed in
high regard. Specifically, Karen Tucker talked about an English teacher
at North, Mrs. Ayers. She said that, she imparted that I needed to
think about my future, instead of my day to day life. Jerry Tucker
talked about a former history and gym teacher named Richard
Hogman, who helped feed his outdoor interest. Tucker stated that Mr.

Hogman, was an outdoor enthusiast and after we got out of high

school he and I became friends.
As each of the Tuckers shared their memories of their times in
the EVSC, we asked them if they had any words of wisdom to share
with current high school sweet hearts. Karen Tucker told us that; I can
only say that when I had my first date with Jerry I kind of knew that this
guy was different. I cant say that I fell in love immediately but over the
period of the next year I did. You have to work hard but high school
sweet hearts can make it. Both Jerry and Karen Tucker lead successful
and rewarding lives in this community as they continue on their
relationship that got its start here in the EVSC fifty-two years ago.