When given an assignment, most students do not expect to get a trip to the White House, let alone a decent letter grade. Seniors Jonathan Abrolat and Christian Settles were given both a great grade and an invitation to the White House. Their three-minute video was entered into the White House’s third annual student film festival, and they were invited to attend as honorable guests. The video started off as a project for advanced video production. The theme of this years festival was ‘the world you want to live in.’ Settles and Abrolat worked together to create a visual representation of the type of world that they wanted to be a part of. It was one of the thirteen films that were chosen from the festival as finalists. They included themes about pollution and focusing on the environmental aspect of society. It was directed and filmed by Settles and edited by Abrolat. Abrolat has been interested in film since the beginning of high school, while Settles recently began to fall in love with the art.

“I’ve learned that this is something that I really enjoy, it’s not so much about the end success but about doing it just because you love doing it,” Settles said

Not many teens can say that they were given the opportunity to create something, have it catch the attention of the White House, and then have that something receive such high praise and recognition. And it is doubtful that any party thrown in quaint Claremont could beat a party thrown at the President’s house in D.C. At the three-day festival, Abrolat and Settles were able to mingle with professional creative minds such as Ty Burrell and the creators of the popular Netflix series, ‘Stranger Things’. The boys were given the V.I.P. treatment, which included front row seats to a Lumineers’ concert that took place on the White House lawn, and even got to meet President Barack Obama.

“And then it hit me, I was on the front of the White House lawn just kickin it and it was all

very surreal,” said Abrolat.

Both are interested in continuing to pursue film in their future. Film making has become something that both boys are passionate about, and their success in the festival has only heightened their love for it. The campus of CHS is chock full of talented students like Abrolat

and Settles. It is important that the school continues to have programs such as video production and classes that induce creativity. There is no need to go out into Hollywood to find a high skill level, there are Spielberg’s in our own area code. If one is willing to put in the hard work and effort that it requires to be one of the best and is willing to get in touch with their creative side, they too could be rocking out on the White House lawn and shaking hands with Obama.