MATTERS MARIAN - Marian Catholic High School
MATTERS MARIAN - Marian Catholic High School
MATTERS MARIAN - Marian Catholic High School
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LIFE IN FILM PRODUCTION<br />
ROBERT VELO ’95<br />
A resident of Los Angelos for<br />
18 years, Robert Velo ’95<br />
took time out of his busy<br />
schedule during a holiday<br />
family visit this past winter<br />
to stop by <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong>.<br />
When the alum walked into<br />
the new Media Center and<br />
Broadcasting Studio, he was<br />
stunned. Media classes and<br />
film equipment were not<br />
offered when Robert was a<br />
student.<br />
“The new Media Center,<br />
Studio, and Editing Room are<br />
wonderful tools for students to<br />
Robert Velo ’95 tours the Technology/<br />
Media Center with Mark Donaway,<br />
MCHS Speech and Theatre Director.<br />
learn how technology and creativity work together,” explains Velo. “I am very<br />
proud <strong>Marian</strong> offers technology courses which include industry standards<br />
software. Students will be prepared for real world opportunities.”<br />
While at <strong>Marian</strong>, Robert longed for a creative outlet. With help from his<br />
family, he was provided with film and editing equipment. He and his friends<br />
would reenact Saturday Night Live skits, movie scenes, and create original<br />
programs; giving him the opportunity to gain experience with production<br />
equipment.<br />
“Life is what you make it,” explained Velo. “I made it known to faculty and<br />
staff that film production was my interest, and they gave me opportunities<br />
to enhance my creative skills on my free time. I filmed and edited videos for<br />
the band, alumni gatherings, and the 1993 State Champion Football Team, as<br />
well as Calendar Drive ‘commercials’ with John Perkovich.”<br />
Robert went on to study film production at the University of Southern<br />
California in Los Angeles. Lacking a professional network in L.A., it was vital<br />
that he excel in his classes so he would be noticed by professors. His hard<br />
work paid off, and he was able to land an internship at Disney which led to a<br />
job at Spyglass Entertainment.<br />
“I have done it all in L.A.,” said Robert. “I began as an intern and worked<br />
my way up, and am now a producer. It was hard to get started in this<br />
competitive industry, but <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> gave me the tools to<br />
believe in myself and to never stop trying.”<br />
Robert has worked on and is responsible for financing projects such as<br />
Lovewrecked, Black Swan, Wake, and The Ides of March. His life motto is, “If<br />
you can shape it in your mind, you can find it in your life.” It appears that this<br />
alum had turned a high school hobby into a successful career.<br />
STOCK YARD FILMS<br />
Michael Leber ’93 and Kenneth Czechanski ’97<br />
Michael Leber ’93 and Kenneth Czechanski ’97 never walked the halls of <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
together; yet, they still managed to meet through mutual friends when Mike was a freshman at<br />
Columbia College in Chicago and Ken was a freshman at <strong>Marian</strong>. The friendship of the Lansing<br />
natives evolved through their shared interest in film production. Their passion for film production<br />
would one day lead the two to form a business together, Stock Yard Films.<br />
More than giving the young men an opportunity to connect, <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> also taught them<br />
the importance of discipline, confidence, and faith.<br />
“<strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> will always have a special place in my heart,” said Ken. “I credit <strong>Marian</strong><br />
for making me the person I am today. When I walk through the doors, I feel like nothing has<br />
changed; the family-like environment still lives on within the current students, faculty, and staff.”<br />
Ken also met his wife, Elizabeth McIlvain ’96, at <strong>Marian</strong>. They have two children, five year old<br />
Molly and 22-month old Owen.<br />
“My belief in work ethic and discipline helped me take the chance at starting a company,” said<br />
Mike. “I rely on my faith to give me strength to persevere, something that <strong>Marian</strong> has instilled in me<br />
from the beginning.”<br />
After graduating from <strong>Marian</strong>, Ken<br />
followed in Mike’s footsteps by attending<br />
Columbia College in Chicago. There, they<br />
had an opportunity to hone their technical<br />
skills and build a strong support system<br />
and network that would later prove to be<br />
one of their most valuable assets. Once<br />
the young professionals finished college,<br />
they gained experience in the real world.<br />
Mike worked for Hollywood writer/director,<br />
John Hughes, starting as his writing<br />
assistant and moving his way up. Ken took<br />
his talent to Los Angeles where he worked<br />
in international film distribution. However,<br />
the prospect of starting their own business<br />
proved too appealing.<br />
Founded in 2004, Stock Yard Films is a Chicago based, all-inclusive film production house that<br />
produces commercial, corporate, and creative film projects.<br />
“The benefit of Stock Yard Films being a one-stop-shop is that Ken and I are able to create a<br />
more intimate relationship with our clients,” said Mike. “We see the project from start to finish,<br />
making the production process easier and cleaner.”<br />
The entrepreneurs predict that Stock Yard Films will expand in the upcoming years as they have<br />
a number of projects in development, furthering their dreams.<br />
For more information on Stock Yard Films visit their website at www.stockyardfilms.com.<br />
Sister Joan Flannigan, O.P.<br />
November 5, 1928 to March 3, 2013<br />
The <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> Community grieves the loss of<br />
Sister Joan Flannigan, O.P., 84, who died peacefully<br />
on March 3. Sister Joan ministered at <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong><br />
<strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong> from 1992-2009 where she served in a<br />
variety of roles, including working in the bookstore,<br />
teaching English and religion, and providing office<br />
assistance. Sister Joan influenced thousands of students<br />
and continuously illustrated the spirit of <strong>Marian</strong><br />
<strong>Catholic</strong> <strong>High</strong> <strong>School</strong>.<br />
For 42 years, Sister Joan taught and/or administered<br />
in <strong>Catholic</strong> parish elementary schools: Little Flower,<br />
Springfield; Our Saviour, Jacksonville; St. James, Irwin;<br />
St. Thomas, Crystal Lake; St. Peter and Holy Angels,<br />
Aurora; Our Lady of Grace, St. Christina; and St.<br />
Edward, Chicago; and Sacred Heart in San Diego, CA.<br />
In 1992, Sister was assigned to <strong>Marian</strong> <strong>Catholic</strong> where<br />
she ministered for 17 years. After suffering a stroke in<br />
2009, she returned to the Motherhouse where she served<br />
God's people with her prayers.<br />
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