• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

MarionMade

People, Places, Products, Programs

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On YoutubeCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram
We Are Having Fun!We Are Presidential!We Are Generous!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
    • MarionMade! 5k Sign Up
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Flat Stanley

By MarionMade! on April 30, 2018

Taft Elementary: Flat Stanley’s New York Adventure

For the first time, Katy Miller’s second grade class at Taft Elementary School sent their Flat Stanley projects across the country to learn about different cultures and communities. One of Miller’s students sent her Flat Stanley to, actor, Billy Peck. You may have seen him in Gotham, Quantico, or Kevin Can Wait. But maybe you’ve seen him performing at Elgin High School or, our very own, Palace Theatre!

Billy Peck grew up in Marion and graduated from Elgin. After graduation he moved to New York City, and is now living out his dream of being an actor!

While Stanley was in New York, Billy took him to Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, Time Square, One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, and to Ray’s for pizza! Not only did Stanley get to visit some of the most iconic locations in New York City, but he got to experience a true New York lifestyle, by taking subways, cabs, and walking to his destinations.

Billy Peck is an inspiration to the students at Taft Elementary. He grew up in the same hometown as them and worked hard to accomplish his goals. Now he’s living his dream in New York and showing students that they can achieve their goals, too!

#WeAreMarionMade #WeAreFlatStanley #WeAreTaftElementary #WeAreBillyPeck

Recent MarionMade! Stories

  • Looking Back Antiques

    MORE THAN A PLACE TO SHOP It started as most small businesses, a hobby became a career for Karen Harris of Marion. She says her inspirations were an aunt and uncle who loved to go antiquing–a love they passed on to her at an early age. That passion for all things old found an outlet […]Read More »
  • Aaron-Nemo- Not Just Joking Around

    It first began in Mrs. Ownings’ classroom, in Waldo Elementary School, as a humorous song written by then sixth-grader Aaron Nemo. The incident inspiring the three-stanza song- “There’s a Mouse in the House” Aaron shared was, “Some hysteria erupted in the classroom when a mouse had somehow managed to climb to the top floor of […]Read More »
  • Work Ethic & Marion Love: Hemmerly’s Since 1934

    A strong work ethic runs in the family and these women have passed it down through generations. Terra Dildine, the owner of Hemmerly’s Flowers & Gifts since 2015, said her mom started working there at the age of 15 when the store was owned by Trella Romine Hemmerly. In 2000, Terra’s mother bought the shop […]Read More »
  • Random Acts of Kindness

    RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY Friday, February 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day.  In Marion, the Marion Police Department is all over it. They have partnered with students of the Multicultural Club of Marion Harding High School to get out and spread kindness today. The officers and students are visiting residents in Marion area […]Read More »

Share Your MarionMade! Story

Click Here to share your story about MarionMade! people, places, products, and programs!
  • Get Involved
  • About
  • Events
  • People
  • Places
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Links
  • Contact

Marion Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Downtown Marion Love INC Marion Public Library Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Marion CANDO! Marion Community Foundation United Way of Marion County Marion Technical College

© 2026 · MarionMade! is a community initiative led by Marion Technical College · Website is powered by Neighborhood Image