![All smiles. The group poses for a photo with last year’s book, “This is Our House,” along with their award for third Best in Show. Meikle, who was an Editor-in-Chief for the yearbook last year as well, holds both and stands at the center of the group. “That was an amazing feeling, going and grabbing the third place award,” Meikle said. “All of it paid off. I cried so much over that book, being able to receive [the award] was one of the highlights of my high school career, it was like the coolest thing ever.”](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/8bookpose_philly-1200x800.jpg)
![At the bottom of the third inning, the Lions are still scoreless. Rowe stands at home plate, preparing to bat, while Vandenbrink stands off to the side as the next batter up. Despite having the bases loaded, the team was unable to score any runs. “It’s just the beginning of the season. We’re just going to be playing out best by June, [and] that’s where champions are,” Rowe said.](https://wlhsnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3077-1200x900.jpg)
Film II assignment pays off
Students take first at Pacific Northwest Film Festival and advance to international competition
Gabe McCoy, a past WLHS student, Jack Draney, junior, and Ian Mathes, junior, play the roles of cowboys in the final scene of “Bounty Boys”. Connor Fitzpatrick, junior, and Hope Gilbert, senior, win $1,000 with their silent film “Bounty Boys”. Connor and Gilbert will move on to the International Film Festival June 3 at the Hollywood Theater in Portland.
Connor Fitzpatrick, junior, and Hope Gilbert, senior, entered their silent film “Bounty Boys” in the Pacific Northwest Regional Youth Silent Film Festival and took first receiving a $1,000 prize. Fitzpatrick and Gilbert shared the honors with actors Jack Draney, Ian Mathes and Evan Shely, juniors, as well as Fitzpatrick’s older brother Austin, Class of 2014, and past WLHS student Gabe McCoy.
“I’ve been too busy to question why I do it,” Connor said about his passion for film.
When prompted with a silent film assignment in Film 2, Connor and Gilbert listened to the seven available soundtracks and chose the action one. Immediately, Connor knew what his plan was. For years Connor has been making and watching films with the help of his older brother and has developed a strong talent.
“Bounty Boys” follows bank robber Robert Banks and the group of cowboys going after him and their pursuit of the reward. The idea came to Connor after he listened to the initial music and work began from there. After writing a script, storyboards and hosting auditions, Connor’s team began the filming process.
“It took about three or four weekends of just filming in front of a shower curtain in a tiny room,” Connor said.
However, the work paid off on May 22 when the film premiered at the Hollywood Theater in Portland and “Bounty Boys” was announced as the winner, though there was more to it than just winning.
“It was a lot of fun on set, actually,” Mathes said. “We got a lot of work done but at the same time we had a great time.”
“Bounty Boys” will now compete on June 3 at the Hollywood Theater as part of the International Film Festival. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and admission for students is free and general admission is $10. “Bounty Boys” can also be found on Connor’s YouTube channel TheWogos.
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Going from soccer practice, to softball practice and then finally home to practice her trumpet, Brooke McKelvey, senior, is definitely not a lazy person....
