Four Howell High School Student Films Win State Awards

Howell High School may have the next Spielberg right underneath its nose, as four students won out in the New Jersey High School Film Challenge.

The competition was held May 27, when 110 films were screened at Jackson Liberty High School. Professional judges were not provided filmmakers’ names in order to ensure fairness.

Student winners were participants in the Entertainment Technology program of the high school’s Fine & Performing Arts Academy.

Juniors Jaime Gonora, Eileen Reinknecht, Justin Arenas, Andres Trujillo and Liv Hanewald were awarded Best Comedy. Conversely, Best Drama was awarded to seniors Chris Boncimino, Angelica Salvador, Beth Palomba, Noah Powell and Nick Cline.

Seniors Bernie Torres, Max Amar, Liv Gallinaro, Zach Miller and Taylor Pietrangelo meanwhile took home the big prize of Best Picture. They follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ron Howard and James Cameron, had they been high school students in New Jersey of course.

The District congratulated each winning student on their Facebook page, wishing them well on their way to their hopeful next Best Picture victory.