Moorestown High School, SOUL Joel’s Alma matter, has been nothing but supportive early in his career in entertainment, hiring Soul Joel Productions for various fundraiser events. In addition, SOUL Joel spoke at the high school’s, “Wellness Day,” in the Fall of 2010. What better way to give back to his Alma mater than to periodically spotlight fellow Moorestown Alumni on The Comedy Point’s website.
This week we are honored to have Jessica Linville, currently residing in Spain for the past 6 years.
How were you different in your teens than you are now?
Jessica:
Well, I don´t think my essence or values have changed much, but the fact that I live in two languages (Spanish and Portuguese) other than my native English on a daily basis and live in Madrid, Spain (where I have been living permanently for the past 6 years, and plan to stay) is slightly different than Moorestown, to say the least. The Portuguese (Brazilian) I picked up along the way, through capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian martial art that has been my hobby and exercise for the past 8 years), a circumstantial job producing a radio program about Brazilian music and culture for 1.5 yrs here in Madrid, and of course, my fiancé who is from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
What important things have you learned over the years that have helped you become who you are today?
Jessica:
That it is important to be oneself and find one´s place in the world. That every experience we live becomes part of the patchwork quilt that makes us who we are, and is worth having, (even the bad or complicated ones, and thus there should be no regrets). That contrary to many people who have a complex about age, with time we are like a bottle of wine, we only get better. As we grow and mature we should always value where we are. When I hear people who say something college was the best time of my life, with an implicit or explicit desire to go back and relive it, I find it sad. At 34, I am very happy with where I am in life, decisions made and experiences lived. I wouldn’t go back, I have worked way to hard to get here! 
What were you best known for in high school?
Jessica:
Where did you picture yourself as an adult when you were in high school?
Jessica:
Not in Moorestown! I SO wanted to leave what I called and felt to be the bubble of Moorestown (although I certianly did appreciate the advantages of growing up and going to school there). My first stepping stone was going to college in Washington, DC – a great city- and then I always wanted to end up living in Spain. Which, as you can see, I did!
Did the people who knew you best think you would be doing what you’re doing now?
Probably, yes. My close friends and family probably expected me to end up teaching in some capacity and they definitely knew I wanted to live in Spain. They might not have been sure that I´d actually manage the living in Spain part, but I don´t think it surprised any of them. I know Mrs. Marks, my high school Spanish teacher was proud that a former student ended up here (we emailed not too long before she passed away).
Jessica:
Definitely. I always loved language and literature, which is what I then studied, albeit in Spanish more than in English from college on. I have worked in different aspects and capacities of teaching from my teens on. Along the way I also taught as a TA at Rutgers while working on my MA and part of my PhD. I now teach both Spanish and English at the international IE University in Segovia (a slight commute from Madrid, but only a few days a week).
Are there any dreams in high school that you let go of? Are there any dreams that you haven’t achieved that you hoping to accomplish in the future?
Jessica:
Check out previous interviews for Moorestown:Where Are They Now? Click here
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