Huntington High School Student Receives Filmmaking Award

Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington) congratulated Huntington High School sophomore John Riley after a recent award highlighted the young filmmaker’s cinematic prowess.

Riley was recently honored by the New York State Archives and the Archives Partnership Trust when he won the Laura and Robert Chodos Award for Excellence in Student Research Using Historical Records for grades 9-12.

Using historical records from the Library of Congress, Memphis Archives, National Archives, National Park Service, New York Public Library, National Guard and the United States Army, Riley created a documentary titled “Harlem Hellfighters: Battling on Two Fronts – Freedom at Home and Abroad,” a piece about World War I which examines the leadership of Colonel William Hayward and the legacy of the 369th Regiment – the Harlem Hellfighters.

“It’s certainly refreshing to see young people take such a deep interest in the rich history of our nation and then apply it to cultural endeavors,” Lupinacci said. “I congratulate John for his efforts and applaud the faculty of Huntington High School for providing students the support and resources they need to excel in creative arts such as filmmaking.”

Lupinacci visited Huntington High School on November 24 to present Riley with a New York State citation and an official Assembly pin to commemorate his accomplishments.

The student research awards are named for Board of Regents Emerita Laura Chodos and her late husband, Dr. Robert Chodos who created an endowment to encourage students to explore the wealth of historical records available in New York State.

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