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Finding home: David Catalan finds community service niche in adopted hometown of Omaha
Finding home: David Catalan finds community service niche in adopted hometown of Omaha
©by Leo Adam Biga
Soon appearing in El Perico
David Catalan long searched for a place to call home before finding it in Omaha four decades ago.
Born in San Diego, Calif. and raised in Arizona, the former business executive turned consultant has served on many nonprofit boards. It’s hard to imagine this sophisticate who is so adroit in corporate and art circles once labored in the migrant fields with his Mexican immigrant parents. It’s surprising, too, someone so involved in community affairs once lived a rootless life.
“My whole life had been like a gypsy. I was a vagabond because traveling from place to place and never really having a fixed home – until I came to Omaha with Union Pacific in 1980.. I chose to stay even after I left U.P. because I really felt at home here and still do after all those years wandering around.”
Vagabundo, a book of his own free-style verse, describes his coming-of-age.
Catalan, 76, grew up in a Tucson barrio immediately after World War II. His father worked in the copper mines. When Catalan was about 13, his family began making the migrant worker circuit, leaving each spring-summer for Calif, to pick tomatoes, figs, peaches and grapes and then returning home for the fall-winter.
“I didn’t really feel I wanted to get stuck in that kind of a destiny,” he said. “Maybe escape is too rough a word, but I had to get away from that environment if I was going to do anything differently, and so I left and went to live with a sister in the Merced (Calif.) area.”
He finished high school there and received a scholarship to UCLA,
“I was the only one in the family that actually completed high school, let alone college.”
He’d long before fallen in love with books.
“That led me to realize there was more I could accomplish.”
While at UCLA, a U.S. Army recruiter sensed his wanderlust and got him to enlist. He served in Germany and France. He stayed-on two years in Paris, where an American couple introduced him to the arts.
“It was a big awakening for me,” he said.
Back in the U.S., he settled in Salt Lake City, where he was briefly married. Then he joined U.P., which paid for his MBA studies at Pepperdine University. Then U.P. transferred him from Los Angeles to Omaha.
“I never had a sense of knowing my neighbors, having some continuity in terms of schools and experiences, so I felt like I had missed out by not having had that identity with place and community. When I came to Omaha, I loved it, and U.P. really promoted employees getting involved in community service.
“Doing community service, being on nonprofit boards became an identity for myself.”
Upon taking early retirement, he worked at Metropolitan Community College, in the cabinet of Mayor Hal Daub and as executive director of the Omaha Press Club and the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.
“I threw myself into the nonprofit world.”
He’s served on the Opera Omaha, Omaha Symphony and Nebraska Arts Council boards.
He cofounded SNAP! Productions, a small but mighty theater company originally formed to support the Nebraska AIDS Project.
“Omaha was the first place I saw a couple friends die of AIDS and that was a real revelation for me. That got me working to do some fundraising.”
SNAP! emerged from that work.
“I was the producer for almost every production the first few seasons. The audience base for SNAP! is a very accepting part of the community. It was gratifying. It’s been very successful.”
His interests led him to South Omaha, where he helped found El Museo Latino. More recently, he helped get the South Omaha Museum started. He also served as president of the South Omaha Business Association.
“I got involved with a lot of economic development.”
He wrote and published Rule of Thumb: A Guide to Small Business Marketing.
He’s “very proud” both SNAP! and El Museo Latino, whose vision of Magdalena Garcia he caught, “are still going strong and still serving the community.”
Each time he gets involved, he said, “it isn’t planned – the need arises and I’m there willing to help work to make it happen.”
“Doing all this work helps me feel I am a part of a dynamic community. That’s what really drives me, motivates me and makes me feel very positive.”
He’s involved in a new project that dreams of building a 300-foot tall Nebraska landmark destination to be called “Tower of Courage” at the intersection of 13th and I-80 across from the Henry Doorly Zoo.
“We’re in the process of trying to acquire the land. It’ll be a place for culture-history exhibits all focused on the rich cultural and historical history of Neb. and the region.”
Meanwhile Catalan has his own consulting company helping nonprofit and small business clients with strategic planning and grant-writing.
He’s also active in the Optimist Club.
“I’ve lived a full life. I’ve met so many wonderful people. I can navigate around many communities because of the the work I’ve done and the people I’ve met.”
He’s doing research for what may be his third book: weaving the story of a pioneering Jesuit priest from the same Sonora. Mexico hometown Catalan’s mother was born in and near where his father was from, with the history of area Indian tribes and his own family.
He’s traveling this winter to Sonora – not to escape his roots but to discover more about them.
He’s written about his family in Vagabundo and in poems published in the literary journal, Fine Lines.
“I think I’m creating a David Catalan space of my own I never had growing up.”
Roni Shelley Perez staking her claim as Nebraska’s next “Broadway baby”
Roni Shelley Perez staking her claim as Nebraska’s next “Broadway baby”
©by Leo Adam Biga
Soon appearing in El Perico
Nebraska is far from the theater capital of the world, yet many natives have trod the Broadway boards – from Henry Fonda to Sandy Dennis to Andrew Rannells. Actress-singer Roni Shelley Perez, 21, hopes to join their ranks. The Omaha Marian and University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate has graced several area stages and is now pursuing her dream in New York City during winter audition season.
This daughter of native Filipino parents has prepared for this all her life.
“I’ve been singing since I was very young. I sang-along to Barney songs ay 3. I started playing guitar at 8,” said Perez.
She also plays the ukelele.
She began performing for family functions and Filipino community gatherings at 11.
“I used to play guitar and sing Filipino covers.”
It earned her spending money.
But performing is, first and foremost, “a healing art” for Perez. “Stories told in songs can be relatable. People going through that same situation need to hear these stories. It’s hard for people to be vulnerable, so to see someone else vulnerable helps them to know it’s okay to feel.,” she said. “Performing arts can be very impactful. It’s a shareable, very much a collective experience.”
In SNAP Productions’ mounting of In the Heights at Omaha South High last spring, Perez’s character Nina mirrored her own life as the eldest child of aspirational immigrant parents in a tight ethnic community.
“Like Nina, there was all this pressure on me growing up to ‘Go, you can do this.’ That role answered a lot of questions for myself.”
She found support as a UNO Goodrich Scholarship Program recipient.
“Goodrich was like a family and definitely one of the best things I took from my undergrad. They believed in me and took a chance on me.”
Her parents were initially dubious when she majored in vocal performance and musical theater.
“Every immigrant parent is hoping for the American dream and I’m going into a field where financial stability is not really a thing. They were scared for me to go into music. But then as soon as opportunities started happening (scholarships, prizes, accolades), they realized, ‘Hey, you can do this.’ I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long and it’s been such a huge part of my life that I can make it into a career.”
The mainstream success Filipina performers enjoy, ala singer-actress Lea Salonga, gives added hope.
“She’s a big influence. She represents the Filipino community in musical theater.”
Filipino actresses have made waves in Hamilton in New York and London. “All these people are just very inspiring.” Then there’s singer-actress Sarah Geronimo. “Growing up, my mom would always play her music and I always looked up to her. She has a beautiful voice. I wanted to sing like her. I wanted to be like her.”
Perez dreams of Broadway but for now her goal is to “just perform professionally” as a working artist. “If it;s there, then I want to turn it into something bigger. I don’t even know what I’m capable of yet.”
It’s doubtful any performer from Neb. has been more prepared at such a young age. She boasts years of high-level training and performing. At 18, she won the part of Mary Magdalene in an Omaha Community Playhouse production of Jesus Christ Superstar. She’s worked with New York stage professionals at the Open Jar Institute, NYU Steinhardt’s Summer Study in Musical Theatre and Shetler Studios’ workshop of Zanna Redux.
“I’ve been going to New York every year now to see where I am ability-wise. I’ve been making connections.”
In Omaha, she got scholarships to Broadway Dreams Foundation Summer Intensive Workshops in 2013 and 2014, studying under and performing with Tony Award nominees and winners. It grew her confidence.
“It showed me what I need to continue working on but also it was like, ‘Hey, if I’m able to perform with them right now, I’ll be able to stand my ground and eventually get to their level too.’ It’s been very encouraging and definitely humbling. Like, I’m clearly not the best, but I can work at it and come to that level.”
She’s participated in master classes through Omaha Performing Arts. The 2016 National Student Auditions competition winner has been recognized by the Playhouse, Theatre Arts Guild and Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. Last year, she and a classmate won first place in the Musical Theatre Division of the National Opera Association’s Collegiate Opera Scenes Competition.
She attributes her drive to her hard-working parents, who own their own business.
“I want to give back and work just as hard. I can’t even fathom coming from a third-world country to the United States with poor English and trying to start a family and career. It’s very inspiring and always on my mind as I take on new roles and shows.”
At 20, Perez earned the lead in Heathers at Omaha’s Blue Barn Theatre. Her character sings the entire show, so she trained to build vocal stability and stamina. It was both her first lead and first paid acting gig.
“That role came very close to my heart,” she said. “I’m grateful the Blue Barn took a chance on me.”
She returned there this past summer as the title character in Priscilla.
Her most “demanding and rewarding role” came last fall in UNO’s production of Spring Awakening.
“This one really tested my vulnerability and sacrifice. I had to let everything go. That was very hard to do.
Everything I’m doing is giving me a better version of myself or helping me be my best. There’s always something to learn – always. I love a good challenge.”
Blue Barn artistic director Susan Clement-Toberer, who’s twice directed Perez. is convinced she has what it takes to make it.
“I expect it and I’m exhilarated for the moment when that happens,” Clement-Toberer said. “She was born to do this. She’s got the vision of what she wants to do, and if there are nos along the way, it’s not going to stop her.”
Perez herself said she’s going after it now “because I think I do have what it takes to succeed.”
Follow her at www/ronishelleyperez.com.
Boxing coach Jose Campos molds young men
Boxing coach Jose Campos molds young men
©by Leo Adam Biga
Appeared in December 2017 issue of El Perico (el-perico.com)
Jose Campos grew up a fight fan and competed as an amateur. For years now, he’s applied his ring savvy teaching the Sweet Science at Jackson’s Boxing Club, 2562 Leavenworth Street, where he’s head coach.
He’s worked with kids-adults, amateurs-pros, journeymen-champions. When he looks at Ralston High School senior Juan Vazquez, he sees world-class potential.
“I’ve only had four or five kids that I said, ‘For sure, he’s going to be something,’ and Juan is one of them. If he sticks with it, he’s going to be a world champion for sure.”
Vazquez, 17, won the National Junior Olympics title at 152 pounds earlier this year in West Virginia. He made it to the semifinals of a regional qualifier in Tennessee in October, Campos sees similarities
between four-time world pro world titilist Terence Crawford of Omaha and Vazquez at the same age.
“I coached with Terence’s coach, Esau Dieguez, for four years. I see a lot of things Juan does the same way Terence used to do it. It’s exciting to see that in somebody I’m coaching now.”
The first week in December, Vazquez lost in the semis at USA Boxing’s National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah. Despite finishing in third place. he’s still been invited to train with the U.S. Olympic team in Colorado Springs next May. He’s next man up for international competitions should either of the two fighters ahead of him not be able to travel.
Campos has another promising fighter in his own son, 142-pounder Marco Campos, who, like Vazquez, is nationally ranked. Marco competed in Salt Lake and will join Vazquez in training with the Olympic team.
“Being part of the USA team is everything,” Jose Campos said. “Promoters are paying attention to them. Once they turn 18, there are contracts waiting for them.”
Win or lose, fighting for one’s club or country or for money, the coach wants his boxers prepared for life.
“I tell all my kids they have to go to school, they have to get a degree. Boxing, one day you’re on top, the next day something happens to you. They need to have something to fall back on.”
Besides being a student of the ring, where he’s progressed from slacker to prospect, Vazquez also applies himself at school. Campos said his prodigy is mature for his age.
“A lot of people think he’s older than what he really is.”
Campos describes the dramatic transformation his star pupil made.
“Usually, kids come because they want to do it and they want to be part of this. Usually, parents are like, ‘If my kid doesn’t want to do this, I’m not going to make him.’ Well, with Juan, his mom brought him to me because he was so overweight and he didn’t do anything after school. He just sat down at home playing video games. His mom wanted him to do something. It didn’t come from him.”
All it took to get Vazquez motivated was his coach challenging him.
“If you’re going to come train with us, you’re going to train,” Campos said. “We don’t do things half way. I don’t let the kids compete unless they’re prepared. It’s a way of life, it’s hard, it’s not for everyone.”
Even when pushed to his limits, “Juan kept coming back” and improving, Campos said. “Some guys advance faster than others and Juan picked things up quickly.”
After shedding pounds and learning the ropes, Vazquez decisively won his first few fights. He was hooked.
“He started to work really hard,” said Campos, who also coaches at Premier Combat Center.
Vazquez’s early bouts were in upper weight divisions. As he moved up in competition, he didn’t have the strength to dominate anymore. He still finished as runner-up at 165 pounds in a national tourney. “He was outsmarting them in there,” Campos said, “but at the end of the day they were too big for him. We decided to go down to 152 and that’s where we’re going to stay. That’s where his body feels more comfortable and he’s at his strongest.”
Should Vazquez eventually turn pro, he’ll fight lighter yet, perhaps at 135-pounds.
So far, Vazquez’s work ethic has not wavered. If it does, Campos will call him on it.
“If you don’t train hard, you’re going to get hurt. One fight can change the rest of your life.”
Campos knows Vaquez dreams of going pro but he also realizes “that could change,” adding, “It’s hard to predict. Things happen in life. You never know what’s going to happen with these kids. I’ve had other Juans in my gym before with his talent. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, they didn’t continue in boxing.”
Like his gym-mates, Vazquez usually depends on donations and scholarships to travel to tournaments. “He doesn’t have the money to do these things,” Campos said. “His mom’s a single mom.” USA Boxing will pay for Vazquez’s and Marco’s Olympic training.
For Campos, it’s not about the titles won but the growth young people make at Jackson’s Boxing Club.
“It inspires me watching these kids develop. It makes me happy. They validate me in what we’re doing. It’s not just me. Coach Christian Trinidad works with the kids, too. Christian used to box for me. He was an outstanding fighter. For medical reasons, he had to stop.”
Trinidad, he said, is “the other half of the coaching we do with Juan – we have brought Juan up together.”
Similarly, Campos said his son and Vazquez “have come up together and make each other better.”
Those two are the most high-profile competitors, but they’re not the only ones making noise at Jackson’s.
“We have a really good crop of fighters who are fighting at a very high level. Five are nationally ranked. I’m not sure if there’s another local gym that can say that.”
Visit jacksonsboxingclub.com.
Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.
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