Ocean City High School Students Advance To State Teen Arts Festival

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Five Ocean City High School film students earned invitations to the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival after their five-minute short film, “Seen,” was selected following the Cumberland and Cape May County Teen Arts Festival in April.

The students wrote, planned, filmed and edited the drama over two months, with most filming taking place during school hours. The students who worked on “Seen” are Olivia Constantino, Elizabeth Coffey, Moran Williams, Isabella Baron and Kobe Pyle.

The state event is scheduled for June 1-3 at Middlesex College in Edison. According to the school district, 23 Ocean City High School artists were selected to participate after presenting their work at the county festival. This is the second straight year that students in the school’s honors film production class have qualified for the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival.

“Making a short film that is considered among the best at the County Arts Festival and moves on to the State Festival is a great accomplishment for the students,” said Dean Michalski, OCHS TV and film teacher. “From the beginning of the year, we stated this as one of our course goals. Seeing the students create their own ideas, execute their plans and work toward a common goal is a very rewarding experience.”

Michalski said the students also gained experience in the filmmaking process while completing the project.

“The students had to work through the stages of film production, meet deadlines and learn how to work with others,” he said. “It is a real-world experience that they will carry with them as they enter the workforce or pursue a career in film production.”

Ocean City High School art programs also will be represented at the state festival in 2D visual arts, 3D visual arts, creative writing and poetry. Students selected in 2D visual arts are Callie Lenko, Gabriella Kaskish, Reese Hemberger, Kate Cruickshank, Isabella Sanchez-Olguin, Dusk Lamb, Sienna Audino, Kailyn Neilsen, Aidan Pollock, Hailey Camacho, Isabella Miller and Julia Colangelo.

In 3D visual arts, Manny Morales and Hannah Dolinsky were selected. In creative writing and poetry, Morgan Dougan, Evelyn Stetch, Rachel Kelley and Evan Kettler were selected.

“We are very excited and proud that our talented students are being recognized for their creativity,” said Superintendent Christian Angelillo. “We congratulate them and look forward to seeing their pieces featured at the New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival.”