89°F
weather icon Clear

And the award goes to …

The red carpet was in place as students from Boulder City High School tenuously filed in the school theater for the second annual Boulder City Movie Awards on April 3.

There wasn’t a Tom Ford tuxedo or a Vera Wang dress to be found, but school-dance dresses and the occasional bow tie made appearances.

The Boulder City High School theater isn’t the Dolby Theater in Hollywood where the Academy Awards were held in March, but the excitement could be felt throughout the entire auditorium as students, parents and judges discussed the nominees.

“I’ve always liked the Oscars,” Boulder City High School teacher Canaan Petersen said. “And I love being able to recognize people for their work.”

Ten short films, 14 music videos and 19 public-service announcements were submitted for the awards from Petersen’s film studies class. Students spent nearly six months working on their productions, he said.

Public-service announcements were broken down into 30-second and 90-second categories. Topics in the 30-second clips featured more domestic problems such as impaired driving and the importance of seat belts, while the 90-second clips took on more international causes that ranged from drug abuse to poverty to flooding in the Philippines.

In the end, Kelsey Essex and Rebecca Lelles’ “Impaired Driving” took home the award for best 30-second public-service announcement. Kendra Bacon and Mickaela Brown won for best 90-second public-service announcement for “World Hunger,” which featured a montage of starving children from around the world.

Despite having to do most of the work off campus, senior David Ortiz said he enjoyed putting together a film.

“I really loved it,” Ortiz said. “I want to get emotionally connected to my audience, and I think movies are a great way to do that.”

Ortiz, who was nominated for best actor for the film “Gateway,” said he and his crew used nothing more than a tripod and a camera for their project. Together, they studied several movies and stories to get inspiration for their movie. He plans to study film at UNLV.

Matt Lopez took home the award for best actor for his performance in “Panda Problems.” Lopez also won the award for best music video with Amy Pellouchoud and Julie Sargeant for their rendition of Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day,” and thanked his brother for helping him get into theater.

“I was an awkward kid in eighth grade and he helped me get out of my shell,” Lopez said in his acceptance speech for best actor. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without him.”

Although Lopez took home two awards, senior Kaylee Domzalski stole the show by winning the award for best director, best cinematography and best film for the movie “Suite 7.”

Domzalski said she was at peace knowing that her hard work paid off. She plans to study journalism and film at the University of Oregon next year.

“It feels really relieving to get all of this recognition,” she said as she tightly clutched her awards. “But if I didn’t have my crew, none of this would’ve happened.”

MOST READ
THE LATEST
City does U-turn on parking

Last week, the city posted on its social media outlets an invitation to the public to attend an open house May 19 to discuss its plans for parking along Nevada Way between Wyoming and Arizona streets. The plan called for parking in the center of the street.

Memorial Day events set for cemetery

The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery will again host a ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives in service for the country whether it was during times of peace or wartime.

Robotics team scales high in 2025

The Boulder City High School High Scalers robotics team (AKA Team 3009) recently wrapped up another winning campaign with some big awards.

Thomas reports on strategic plan at council meeting

The new city manager’s first public presentation in a city council meeting was about kind of old news — an update on the five-year strategic plan that was approved by the council in October of last year. The plan covers the years 2025 through 2030.

Council hears update on FY 2026 budget

The months-long process of adopting a city budget for the 2026 fiscal year took another big step forward last week as Budget Director Angela Manninen presented the city council with adjustments that had been made since the preliminary budget was first presented. Fiscal year 2026 begins on July 1.

Grad Walk: A decade of memories

In just a decade it’s become a tradition every senior at Boulder City High School looks forward to, as do public school students who will one day do the same.

Parking town hall scheduled

Mayor Joe Hardy led off this week’s city council meeting with an unexpected statement regarding an item that was not on the agenda. At least not until next week.

Meet BC’s new city manager

Even people with a long history in Southern Nevada get sticker shock when they start to consider a home in Boulder City. And Boulder City’s new city manager is no exception.

A step back in time

Photos by Ian Cruz/Boulder City Review

LMNRA extending popular launch ramp

Those looking to get in some boating time this summer may have to wait a bit longer each time when doing so.