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RC students place 2nd in film competition

ALPENA – Six teams made up of students from Rogers City High School and Stockbridge High School took part in the first Thunder Bay International Film Festival’s Student Film Competition and their film presentations Sunday. The films followed the theme “Water Is” and were based on how water impacts lives and how students use it for recreation and learning.

Stockbridge won first place with a film titled “Aquanaut” which shared the students adventure in becoming aquanauts, it required training and staying in a SeaLab for 24 hours. It featured time-lapse video, as well as underwater photography, and testimony about the experience. The film team was made up of Jake Chapman, 11th grade, William Nichols, 11th grade and Kelly Cool who is in the 10th grade.

Chapman said he enjoys entering the films he help direct and also likes seeing what the students from other schools have. He said he is happy to win first place.

“Anytime you can have something you worked hard on get acknowledgment for it feels good,” Chapman said. “I think everyone did a great job and I think the kids from Rogers City did a good job of showcasing what water means to them, as well as the community in which they live. I have had a great time doing this.”

A pair of Rogers City teams earned awards Sunday. A team made up of seniors Ally Streich, Sarah Meredith and Megan Brege placed second with its movie titled “Water is Beautiful”. The film showed the impact water has on the lives of people, animals, industry and business, as well as its beauty and force. The film earned the viewer’s choice award, which was determined by people watching the screening.

Streich said the teams only had about two days to make the films and although she will be graduating she expects Rogers City will continue to participate in the competition and perform well.

“We didn’t have a lot of time, but we got right to work, thought of some quick creative shots and put it together,” Streich said. “I think knowing we did so well, we may have more videos next year and continue to excel with what is created.”

Third place was presented Rogers City senior Loren Getzmeyer who entered her film “Water is Family.” The film expressed what water, particularly Lake Huron means for families in Rogers City. She said in the film her entire family appreciates water because her father sails for a living.

Meaghan Gass, program director for Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, said she was pleased with how the first-time event turned out and with the quality of the movies. She said plans for another competition at next year’s festival are already taking shape.

“The quality of the films was just amazing and it was great to see what the students thought about water and how they are connected to it,” Gass said. “They provided diverse opinions and amazing to see how they transferred what their thoughts are to film.”

Gass said there are plans for a film workshop at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in the fall and next year’s competition theme will be “Biodiversity”.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.

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