The entrepreneurial dream doesn’t become a reality for many until they reach adulthood. Three local students are proving that ambition, talent and determination act as the beacons of success, making age nothing more than a number. With the support and encouragement of their loved ones, these up-and-coming shining stars are paving their own early path to success.
Conlan Kerschner, 13
Bluegrass Banjo Player Extraordinaire
With the superb sound of a seasoned musician, 13-year-old banjo player Conlan Kerschner blows away audiences with impeccable bluegrass skills that are far beyond his years.
Conlan began playing the banjo five years ago after his late grandfather Randy Steffy–a devoted bluegrass fan–offered to pay for lessons. The eager boy thought, “Why not?”
After two years of studies with Cookie Texter at Kupp-Tone Music Studios in Adamstown, Conlan’s skills improved immensely. Conlan’s mother, Wendy, began lining up gigs for Conlan at area senior living communities to prepare him for performing in front of an audience.
Now a seventh-grader at Cocalico Middle School, Conlan has expanded his audience base by performing for his school chorus and various community groups and at his school talent shows, local events, open mic nights and bluegrass festivals. He also performs with local rock band The Honey Badgers. His next public solo gig will be May 26 at the Adamstown Community Days, where he will open at 6:30pm for Flaming Dick and the Hot Rods.
Conlan’s most meaningful performance to date was at his late grandfather’s funeral in September 2011. Accompanied by former teacher Texter and current banjo teacher Keith Kupp, Conlan performed two of his grandfather’s favorite songs: The Ballad of Jed Clampett and I’ll Fly Away. “I’m glad I got to do that for him,” says Conlan, who lives in Adamstown with his mother; his father, Ken; and his 16-year-old brother, Casey.
Conlan practices for at least an hour every day in his makeshift studio in his basement.
He strives to emulate the bluegrass techniques of his musical icons, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs of the bluegrass duo Foggy Mountain Boys, who helped popularize the bluegrass movement in the 40s, 50s and 60s.
Bluegrass has evolved from its traditional sounds of blues, jazz and country to reflect influences from a variety of other musical genres, including Celtic, rock and Southern gospel. With English folk/bluegrass rock bands like Grammy-winning Mumford & Sons growing in popularity, music fans of all ages are discovering a newfound appreciation for the soulful bluegrass sound. This heightened awareness has been beneficial to Conlan, who has appearances booked for the rest of the year.
With the earnings of his shows, Conlan is saving for a master tone banjo, the most esteemed banjo for a skilled player. He recalls feeling chills down his spine the first time he held the revered instrument and touched its chords at a music shop in Canada. “The sound quality was so much richer,” Conlan says.
This young artist has won several awards for his banjo skills. He took first place at the Pennsylvania State Grange Talent Show in 2011 and 2012. Most recently, he scored first place in his age group at the 2013 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
During shows, Conlan does more than play the banjo; he tells funny personal anecdotes and stories related to the songs and artists. “I’m always looking to add new life experiences to my performances,” says Conlan, who is also active on his school’s football, wrestling, and track and field teams.
Conlan and his family are excited for his budding career. While Conlan envisions his future dream band– consisting of a banjo, fiddle, harmonica, drums and guitar–he stays grounded. For him, family is and always will be his top priority.
“I’m glad they’re here for me,” Conlan says. “They’re the ones who got me where I am. It’s amazing when you think about it. It all started with my grandfather.”
To book Conlan for a gig, contact:
Wendy Kerschner | P: 717.484.4209 | C: 610.413.1995 | kewecaco@dejazzd.com
Betsy Lucas, 9
The Informant
Nine-year-old Betsy Lucas doesn’t need expensive electronics to run her business; her recipe for success simply requires some old-fashioned paper, pen, markers, and crayons, and a hefty dose of imagination and creativity.
Betsy creates her own monthly neighborhood newspaper, called The Quibbler of Van Steffy, to announce events in her school, Wyomissing Hills Elementary Center; in her district, Wyomissing Area School District; and on her street, Van Steffy Avenue. She makes color copies and sells each one for 25 cents to dozens of families around her block.
While Betsy’s endeavor isn’t necessarily growing her savings account, she is having fun with the extra spending money for trips to the grocery store and Five Below. Above all, she is learning a valuable lesson in using her abilities and interests to earn money to reach an end goal.
“I like to write my newspaper because it’s a really good way to express my feelings and tell people what’s going on,” says Betsy, who is the daughter of Lori and Jim Lucas, both of Wyomissing. “I thought it was a good idea to get money and buy things on my own.”
Each issue features handwritten pieces, accompanied by original art and photographs to help tell her story. Past issues have featured articles about her class field trip to Valley Forge and holiday events at her school.
Coming up with ideas for each issue is easy, Betsy says. “I get all my inspiration from my own imagination,” she says. “And my mom gives me ideas and tells me she likes my ideas.”
Betsy’s notion for her small business venture came to her after reading Ivy and Bean No News is Good News. In this eighth edition of the best-selling children’s book series, friends Ivy and Bean launch their own neighborhood newspaper to make money to purchase an expensive cheese.
Her knack for storytelling stems from her love of reading. Some of her favorite books include the popular series Ivy and Bean, A Series of Unfortunate Events and Harry Potter. Her newspaper title, The Quibbler, is named after the newspaper in Harry Potter.
Neighbors appreciate Betsy’s contributions and often ask Betsy’s mother when the next issue is debuting. One of her neighbors recently complimented her in a card, saying, “Thank you for the latest edition. Your photojournalism is really impressive.”
Betsy’s teacher, Stephanie Heffner, shares the neighbors’ sentiments about the busy third-grader. “My teacher told me my writing is really good. She said I do a good job telling stories,” says Betsy, who enjoys just about every subject in school, especially library and journal writing.
Hearing these compliments gives Betsy the push she needs to continue exploring her creative side. “It makes me feel good,” she says. “It helps motivate me to write more.”
Betsy is thinking of ways to enhance her publication, including spotlighting neighbors and adding an ongoing comic strip, which she already regularly draws and writes in her free time.
The youngster also enjoys playing basketball, spending time with friends, participating on the swim team and in Girl Scouts, taking singing lessons and acting. Last summer, she played the role of Pepito in the musical Madeline and the Gypsies at the Miller Center for the Arts in Reading.
While she is most concerned about how she’ll spend her upcoming summer vacation, Betsy does have a few thoughts about her future. “When I grow up I want to be an artist or work for the newspaper,” she says.
Betsy can add The Quibbler of Van Steffy to her resume.
Rachel DeLong, 15
The Chick Jeweler
All businesses have to start somewhere. For Rachel DeLong, it began with a cardboard box filled with countless jewelry supplies, purchased at a yard sale by her grandmother.
Rachel’s maternal grandmother, Alta Brobst, got the box of jewelry goods on a whim. “She bought it with the intent that it could be a hobby that I would enjoy and love,” Rachel recalls. “That is where I found inspiration to make jewelry.”
Rachel began experimenting with the box’s contents, using trial and error to craft earrings. She took her skills to the next level by participating in several jewelry-making technique classes. She practiced and perfected her skills.
That yard sale treasure three years ago spawned into Rachel’s growing jewelry business, Chicky’s Handmade Jewelry. The name derives from Rachel’s nickname, Chicky, which stems from her love of chickens–as evidenced by her chicken purse and the chicken figurine collection in her bedroom. Her business cards even feature a cute yellow chick.
“Two years ago I decided to sell my creations when I started thinking to myself, ‘I could really go far with my jewelry and why not sell?’” says Rachel, a ninth-grader at Brandywine Heights High School in Topton. “When I started selling, my jewelry went fast, and that’s why I’m still selling it now.”
Today, Rachel enjoys using many techniques to make earrings, bracelets, necklaces and wine charms out of various-sized beads and Swarovski crystals. She sells to friends and family, at craft shows and at the Lyons Fire Company breakfasts every third Sunday of the month.
Rachel’s busiest time is the holiday season. Last fall and winter, she devoted at least 10 hours per week to keep up with special holiday orders. “It is harder for me to keep making jewelry during school because of homework,” says Rachel, who also plays the flute and fife, and is active with her school’s Bowling Club. “So now my plan is to make my jewelry in the summer and dedicate more time to it.”
Top sellers include some of Rachel’s favorites: Christmas tree earrings, present earrings and grape earrings. “They’re pretty, and people are really drawn to them,” she says. Additional hot items include other Christmas earrings, such as angels and Santa hats, and Easter earrings, such as bunnies and eggs.
She enjoys the pleasure her unique creations bring to others and is especially thrilled when she sees individuals wearing her jewelry in public. “It makes me feel good knowing I can make something people really like,” she says.
Rachel’s mother, Donna, has been her no. 1 fan by providing her with words of encouragement and motivation. However, Rachel is quick to point out that her entire family–including her dad, Todd, and older brother, Tyler–and friends have been supportive. “They always encourage me to go farther in what I make and do,” she says.
With her proceeds, Rachel wants to purchase a used VW Beetle. She also wants to contribute financially to her college education. She has her eyes on Kutztown University, where she wants to major in nursing. “I hope I’ll still be making jewelry on the side,” she adds.
Operating her own business has given Rachel so much confidence and personal satisfaction. She is a hard worker and sometimes sacrifices social time with friends, but she knows her efforts are worth it. “I feel great about being a young entrepreneur and enjoy knowing I have been successful,” she says. “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from this whole experience is that if you find a hobby that interests you, it can take you farther in life than you expected it to.”
Rachel is well on her way to going farther in life.
Interested in purchasing some of her jewelry?
Chicky’s Handmade Jewelry | Chicken3510@yahoo.com
BY KANDACE WERTZ | PHOTOS BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS
