HHS Junior a National Video
Contest Finalist
Richard Hermer-Fried, a Huntington High School junior, has been selected as a national finalist in this year's Lights, Camera, Save! video contest sponsored by the American Bankers Association.
Mr. Hermer-Fried was among a large group of students who entered videos in Astoria Federal Savings' local contest last fall. The Huntington teenager's production portrays the moral dilemma between good and evil that arises when he considers his choices of either saving or spending his paycheck. He is one of 12 national finalists.
Huntington's video program is led by teacher Heather Swan. Students in the program have won an assortment of awards in recent years for their work. Mr. Hermer-Fried is now in the running for a chance to capture one of three top prizes: US Savings Bonds worth $3,000, $1,500 or $500.
The Lights, Camera, Save! contest, which is part of the ABA's national Teach Children to Save program, strives to educate young people about the importance of developing lifelong savings habits. More than 175 banks nationwide participated in the contest which challenged students aged 13-16 to use video to communicate the value of saving and inspire others to become lifelong savers.
During a ceremony at Astoria Federal's Huntington branch office located at 839 New York Avenue, Mr. Hermer-Fried was presented with a handsome certificate and a digital camera, complete with high definition video capability to help advance his video production skills.
This marks the second consecutive year in which Astoria Federal has had a national finalist in this contest and both have been from Huntington High School. Last year Thomas Boisclair advanced to the championship round.
"We are very happy for Richard and wish him the best of luck in the next level of judging," said Brian Edwards, Astoria Federal's executive vice-president and managing director of the retail banking group.
The finalists' videos will be judged by an expert panel consisting of George Barany (director of financial education and youth saves for the Consumer Federation of America), Janet Bodnar (editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance), Kelvin Boston (executive producer and host of "Moneywise with Kelvin Boston), Matt Dozier (president and CEO of EAST Initiative), Laura Levine (president and CEO of Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and Scott Rubens (news director, WUSA-Washington).
Grand prize winners will be announced in March via YouTube.