Storm Video Makes Weinschreider a Celebrity
Hurricane Sandy’s unyielding winds took down trees large and small across the town, including one in the backyard of Huntington High School junior Mathew Weinschreider, whose video of the unfolding scene went viral on You Tube and landed him an interview with Katie Couric and airtime on a National Geographic special.
“While I was capturing the moment of a tree falling in my backyard, I was certain that it would not fall toward my house, therefore I was not frightened, so I was able to use the video camera,” Mr. Weinschreider explained. “My dad was the one who told me to record it and put it on You Tube. Outside, the wind was very strong and the ground was very wet, so the soil was able to come-up easy. It seemed like there was a monster coming out of the ground.”
Heather Swan, who heads the Huntington High School video arts program, said the video “got so many hits on You Tube that National Geographic and Katie Couric called him on the phone.”
Mr. Weinschreider is enrolled in Huntington’s Video II course with Mrs. Swan. “It’s amazing to see the ground breathing and this massive tree falling,” the teacher said. “I am so glad his video was recognized and I hope this inspires other students.”
The Huntington teenager’s video was used in the National Geographic documentary, “Superstorm 2012” that aired last month. “National Geographic came all the way from London to interview me and my family in my living room,” Mr. Weinschreider said.
The Huntington junior appeared on the Katie Couric Show and was interviewed by the journalist. “It was a great opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes when I was all mic’d up and had make-up and my hair done,” Mr. Weinschreider said. “I was also able to meet Donald Trump, because he was on the same episode as me.”