Tappan Zee High School students participated in the annual Teen Film Festival presented by The Michael J. Armstrong Memorial Foundation and the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library last week. In collaboration with the TZHS film program, students have the opportunity to create a compelling story in the genre of their choice and produce a short film in five minutes or less. Winners of the “Five Minute Flicks” competition are awarded for First Place ($500), Second Place ($300), and Third Place ($200).
The competition provides an opportunity to remember Michael J. Armstrong while celebrating the creative talents of local teenagers. Film was one of the many passions held by Armstrong, a victim of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
“I am so grateful to the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library and the Michael J. Armstrong Foundation for giving my students this opportunity each year,” said TZHS Art Teacher Leigh LaBrake. “It is truly incredible to see my students share their films with the community and for them to have them always be so well received. It is tough to put yourself and your work out there, especially after the effort these students put in, but they do, and they always shine. I am beyond proud of all of them and their films this year.”
This year, 2016 TZHS alum Jarrett Winters Morley, Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library Board member Cara Stepanian, and Ralph Weaver from the Michael J. Armstrong Memorial Foundation judged 15 student films and selected three winners. Congratulations to:
First Place: Madeline W. and Hela G., “American Girl”
Second Place: Lily F., “Creativity Struggles”
Third Place: Rebecca M., “Bird Boy”
Thank you to the Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library and the Michael J. Armstrong Memorial Foundation for your continued support of our students!
