_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
John-Michael Jalonen is a student at Christopher Newport University from Williamsburg, Virginia. With a major in Film Studies and a minor in Theater, John-Michael was so grateful for the opportunity to practice real documentary filmmaking skills during the making of A Leaf Well Lived. John-Michael is on staff at The Captain’s Log, CNU’s student-run newspaper, as well as a script intern for Abbot Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA. Thanks to Dr. Terry Lee for this amazing opportunity.— Stephanie Alexander
Stephanie Alexander is a student at Christopher Newport University. There she majors in English with a concentration in writing, and a minor in Psychology. She holds the position as Lifestyle Editor with The Captain’s Log, the school newspaper and plans on returning as staff her senior year. Stephanie thoroughly enjoys the pleasures of reading a good book, and in her free time, she is writing stories and working on books in hopes to be one day a published author. Stephanie will remember the way in which Mr. Leaf informed anyone that asked that Stephanie and John-Michael were close to being his family.
—John-Michael Jalonen
"A Leaf Well Lived"
by Stephanie Alexander & John-Michael Jalonen
Gordon Leaf is an 87-year-old retired Air Force pilot currently living at Mennowood Retirement Community in Newport News, Virginia. Born in 1927, Gordon was raised in both Detroit and England due to his father’s job with Ford. He joined the British military at just 15 years of age, and served in various military forces until his retirement from the United States Air Force. In "A Leaf Well Lived," Gordon shares stories from his childhood, opens up about his daily life at Mennowood Retirement Community, and describes the life and loss of his late wife, Mary.
"A Leaf Well Lived" (10:31)
