Last week the National Academy of Arts and Sciences Foundation (NATAS), (the same group that presents Emmys each year to professionals in the television and film industry) presented awards from a variety of categories for high school student work submitted across the nation.

MHS Alum, Allan Rodriguez, Class of 2020 won First place among all students nationwide in the short form, fiction category. He was nominated by Kent Meister, film and media instructor at MHS.

During his years at MHS, Rodriguez was a member of various Media Classes at, as well as a leader in the MHS Film Club for four years.  

“As a teacher, I could not be more proud,” Meister said.  “Given the organization, and the high quality of work/competition from around the nation, winning at this level is a true honor,” he said.

For Rodriguez to get to this level of judging, his work was first submitted to a festival in the Chicagoland area. When he placed well there his work was funneled into the Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and within that chapter/region he won.  His work then advanced to the remaining chapters still in competition in the US for the National Emmy.  His work was deemed the best of the best.

NATAS is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry.

Allan’s award-winning film, Somnum (Sleep) may be viewed here: 

https://youtu.be/cPiwKgf4nXU