Award-winning UCS students see their work on the big screen

It had everything that is found at most movie premiers - popcorn, pop, big seats and excited directors.

Only this time, there was not one summer blockbuster, but nearly 40 award-winning short films created by Utica Community Schools multi-media students.

In the first of its kind, UCS students who earned awards through a statewide digital arts festival were part of the “A Filmmaker’s Evening” at Emagine Theatre.

“It is quite an experience to see your work on the big screen,” said recent Henry Ford II graduate Aric Prebelich, who earned a “Best of Show” and $15,000 scholarship in the 47th annual Digital Arts, Film & Television (DAFT competition.

Prebelich and other UCS award winners were treated to a night with family and friends recently to view their work.

Isaiah Terry, a Henry Ford II senior, plans to pursue a career in filmmaking because of the power of the art form.

“Depending on what you are watching, it can change your perspective,” he said.

The projects were supported by teachers Lisa Grunewald, of Shelby Junior High School, Joe Elliott, of Henry Ford II High School and Josephine Braun, of Eisenhower High School.

Works and their awards from the evening are:

2015 Junior Best of Show

• Courageous Clay, by Allison Soffa and Emily Ouemlaz,        
• Haunted by Allessandra Leco 

2015 Junior Excellence

• Cool Kids, by Sarah Faloon, Christina Stickley, and Lauren Pietryga
• Centuries, by Zaid Sweis, Kane Stone, Christian George and Austin Fite
• Do Better, by Annalise Trenkamp

All junior award winners attend Shelby Junior High School.

2015 Senior Best of Show

• Ornaments, by Aric Prebelich, of Henry Ford II High School           

2015 Senior Excellence

• So wear a seatbelt, by PJ Michalski and Tyler Lee, of Henry Ford II High School    
• "It Only Takes A Second" Texting & Driving PSA, by Camren Clouthier, of Henry Ford II High School   
• The Elliott Story, by Camren Clouthie, Jamison Demaj and PJ Michalski, of Henry Ford II High School    
• 2014 Henry Ford II Dodgeball Tournament, by Camren Clouthier, of Henry Ford II High School  
• The Enlightenment, by Maria Meade, of Henry Ford II High School
• Ghost, by Isaiah Terry, of Henry Ford II High School           
• iear You Commercial, by Isaiah Terry, Evan Lugo, Olivia Stevers, Shannon McAleer and Mariam Shabo, of Henry Ford II High School    
• Insanium, by Isaiah Terry, of Henry Ford II High School
• Refugee, by Isaiah Terry, Evan Lugo, Matt Siladke and Maddox Zurawski, of Henry Ford II High School  
• Tenebrosi Somnia, by Isaiah Terry, of Henry Ford II High School    
• Fireworks - Animal Collective (Indian Celebration of Holi), by Maria Meade, of Henry Ford II High School           
• The Phone Call - Scary movie, by Benjamin Murphy and Peyton Thomas, of Henry Ford II High School    
• PSA Honesty, by Benjamin Murphy, Peyton Thomas and Maxx Martin, of Henry Ford II High School       
• The Detroit Zoo Commercial, by Aric Prebelich, of Henry Ford II High School      
• Fury - Centuries Music Video, by Aric Prebelich, of Henry Ford II High School      
• Good Enough, by Aric Prebelich, of Henry Ford II High School      
• Arts And Idols Commercial 2015, by Aric Prebelich, Camren Clouthier, Madison Lindaman and PJ Michalski, of Henry Ford II High School
• Las Vegas Promo, by Cameron Pablo, of Henry Ford II High School
• Detroit Zoo, by Cameron Pablo, of Henry Ford II High School        

2015 Senior Honor

• Davey & Channy go to Prom, by David Lester, Chandler Beleck, Julia Lucido and Miranda Steffen, of Eisenhower High School.
•  “Gravity" Music Video, by Camren Clouthier, of Henry Ford II High School           
• Suicide PSA, by PJ Michalski, of Henry Ford II High School
• The Becoming, by Jalen D. Spencer, of Henry Ford II High School  
• Zoo Film Project, by Isaiah Terry, of Henry Ford II High School     
• The Phone Call, by PJ Michalski, Tyler Lee, Madison Lindaman and Nick Vasseur, of Henry Ford II High School
• His Name is Robert Paulsen, by Nick Vasseur, of Henry Ford II High School          
• A Day in San Francisco, by Maria Meade, of Henry Ford II High School      
• Michigan Youth Arts Festival 2014, by Aric Prebelich, Camren Clouthier,of Henry Ford II High School    
• Put The Phone Down PSA, by Aric Prebelich, of Henry Ford II High School          
• Daemon, by Isaiah Terry, David Brazier, Shannon McAleer, Hollie Andrusz and Maddox Zurawski, of Henry Ford II High School   
• Kryptonite, by Nick Vasseur, of Henry Ford II High School 

2015 Senior Merit

• Reaching High, by Ashley Fearncombe, of Henry Ford II High School         
• TNT, Dynamite, by Nick Vasseur, of Henry Ford II High School     
• Fight Club Trailer, by Nick Vasseur, of Henry Ford II High School