Mark Nechoda:
CLASS OF 1971
Fremd High SchoolClass of 1971
Palatine, IL
Lyons Township High SchoolClass of 1971
La grange, IL
McClure Junior High SchoolClass of 1967
Western springs, IL
Grand Avenue SchoolClass of 1965
Western springs, IL
Lane Elementary SchoolClass of 1965
Hinsdale, IL
Mark's Story
Life
Life is conduit. You only get out of it, what you put into it.
School
Hated to leave Lyons Township, but was forced to. Fell in love with Fremd HS, which had a very big influence in my life.
College
Started in 1971 as a drama major but fell in love again with Radio. Took one year off and returned as a TV/R major and a sophomore in 1973. On the air as "World Famous Mark Kelley."
Greatest Influence: Paul Smith
Best quote ever: Rod Serling, "Mark, just cut the s**t and roll the tape."
Mr. Woodman's rule of the 6 P's: Proper preparation prevents p*ss-poor performance.
Workplace
Life in radio as World Famous Mark Kelley was great. I created the term "wuss" which was short for "wussy." It came from a routine I use to do about translations of English words into Polish.... just add a silent "w" to any word... For example, Mark M-A-R-K becomes Wmark W-M-A-R-K. Now, to SAY it in polish, pronounce the "...Expand for more
W" and drop the next letter... Get it, you wpussy? Did a whole hour once speaking this "pig polish." Now, everybody says it... even on TV and the movies!
Did first radio call-in talk show ever in Elmira (local OR network) at WELM titled, "Think about it" with co-host Dr. Frank Piano.
I invented the "Great Legends" radio format at WRTN... "Return Radio" given an excellent review by BME magazine (Broadcast Management and Engineering).
Quit and went back into computers with NCR, where I used to work during college vacations. Didn't have to deal with the eccentricities and egos in the Arts. Now 37 years with company!
I have flown around the world 4 times, been on 6 continents and lived or worked in 27 different countries and 43 US states with NCR. What a GREAT life!
Best 4 years of my life: Living in Cape Town (Sea Point) South Africa while working for NCR. Ja, ek praat groot lekker afrikaans, my broer.
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Reunions
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Photos