Conversation about the performing arts with Central Cass 70s and 80s alumni unanimously brings Melanie (Moos) Wilson into the forefront. Melanie’s message to students interested in the performing arts: “If you intend on making this your career, make sure to set goals and achieve them. Anything less won’t cut it.”

Maari (Larsen) Loy, 2004 CCHS graduate—a career in pharmacy, a life of music. Loy’s words of wisdom for students? “High school is only your start! Music in school is your base, and you only grow to the top through your years of lifelong learning.” She continues, "Take every opportunity to explore the arts and music that our community provides to you. Students of all abilities can be involved! You may not know when you’ll need the background to further serve our community.

“My experiences in the arts at Central Cass have shaped my life in so many positive ways. I'm so grateful for the coaches, teachers, community volunteers and FOFA support. It was a definite part of my success.”

When Hillary (Scherweit) Ogle reflects back on the trajectory of her career, it was the confidence in her public speaking and performance that made her successful.

Carl Peterson’s musical talent aligns closely with his talent and success as a businessperson. He says, “A school the size of Central Cass, you can do everything! You don’t get all of the opportunity in life because eventually you have to specialize. But for now, be in everything! A play? Be in it! Music? Grab an instrument! Play sports! Be in a speech contest!”

Julia (Kensok) Barnes’ childhood was saturated in music, dance, theatre and the visual arts. “It has been so rewarding coming back and using my learned skills in media to give back to Central Cass through the Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA).” She’s responsible for everything you see online for the Friends of Fine Arts - website, social media, etc. Thank you, Julia!

A wall in David Piper’s office at Piper Tax Services, Inc. adorns the plaques ‘Fine Arts Booster of the Year’ and 'Bradley Burgum Community Service Award.’ While David Piper has a lengthy list of career and life successes and recognition, he openly celebrates and gives accolades to his colleagues and members of the community who have guided his achievements.

Josh Argall, 1993 Central Cass graduate, has been a music educator for 24 years and a professional musician for 30 years. “In the music world, you can continue to perform in many capacities your entire life regardless of your career path.” Josh encourages students to continue to find those avenues and share your talents with as many people as you can.

Tom Kieffer, Central Cass 1998 graduate, found his passion for refinishing airplanes at the age of 16. He worked for his brother, Roy, 21 at the time, when he started Custom Aircraft Refinishing south of Casselton. With three light bulbs hanging in an empty airplane hangar, they quickly developed new and efficient ways to achieve the greatest possible results.

John Monilaws, aka Maestro, is a 1982 Central Cass graduate who has experienced tremendous success as a performer, teacher, judge, clinician and conductor. “It’s just me! I never get tired of it. Performing is something that still gives me chills. Whether I am performing or conducting, I simply get chills doing it.”

“Seeing my students understand music better through performing, creating, and connecting is why I teach.” Chelsea Nguyen (Kerbaugh), Central Cass 2010 alum, is currently a K-5 elementary music teacher outside of Chicago, IL. When reflecting on her time in band and choir at Central Cass, she recalls, “Those ensembles were not just classes, but a place where I felt I belonged.”

If you drive around the Fargo-Moorhead area, you will see a lot of Bill Kensok's work on exterior signs and vehicle graphics. “As a high school student, I knew at the time that I enjoyed creating art projects, but had no idea of the different aspects of design that were available. That list has grown exponentially since the 80’s—graphic design, animation, photography, game design, illustration, interior design, along with countless other areas!”

Barb Wieland, CCHS Class of ‘76, will tell you, “The arts can bring you so much joy throughout your whole life. It can be a hobby or a career, but usually, when you find something you love, you will continue to find ways to express yourself through that art. Art is so very therapeutic. It touches your mind, body and your soul.”

“Being in the arts in high school at Central Cass allowed me to express my creative side.” Today, as a professional body piercer, Carter Hackmann, class of 2015, continues expressing his creative side in the ways that he decorates his own body with piercings and tattoos. Carter is also a Drag Queen, which is an extreme method of acting.

Kelsey Swanson (CCHS 2010 graduate) has spent the last five years working in the art department at Lakeshirts. If you are out and about and see Blue84 in a neck label, that's the Lakeshirts brand, and Kelsey could be the designer! “I am able to do art for a job. Talk about a fun life!”

Christopher Utt, 2017 CCHS alum, is thankful for the friendships and skills he developed from being involved in the school newspaper, art, architectural drafting and construction classes in high school. His career as an Architectural Designer takes influences from all of these classes.

From 2009 to 2018, Tyler Waslien, a 2005 Central Cass graduate, performed well over a thousand shows across the country and beyond. Tyler says, “The skills I developed through the Central Cass music and fine arts programs gave me the knowledge, tools, and skillsets to make myself marketable as a professional musician.”