As a youngster in Catholic school, Leo began to learn his second language, English, by reading the Dick and Jane books that were used in his first-grade classroom. He found these stories very boring. Instead of reading them, he would draw his favorite soda logo over Dick and Jane's shirts. Needless to say, he was destined to immerse himself in pop culture. One day Sister Ruth, without saying why, decided to take a poll, asking all the children what their favorite soda was. She then invited all the kids who chose 7UP to come to the blackboard for a drawing contest. Leo was so excited—he was sure he’d win! Sister Ruth thanked them and said that the winner would be announced at a later date. Well, when Leo came home that day, he was greeted by a very angry Italian mother. He was fully busted. Because of that experience Leo acquired a distrust of authority, nuns, wooden rulers, and competition, as well as a lifelong hate of Dick and Jane books.