Hamburg Central Schools have a lot to be proud of with the success of their Class of 2005 students By: SARAH REYNOLDS-SEWERYNIAK
SUN SCENE
While it’s been five years since Hamburg High School’s class of 2005 graced the halls, many members of the class are currently experiencing a great amount of success in their respective fields.
I myself am an alumni of the class of 2005 and couldn’t help notice a pack of students that are doing very well for themselves.
• Ben Elliott: Currently Elliott can be seen in a reality show as he embarks on a mission to become a successful actor.
‘If I Can Dream’ is an Internet reality show where you can watch Elliott and his cast mates 24/7 by visiting the show’s Web site at www.ificandream.com. There will also be weekly half- hour updates available online at www.hulu.com. “When we get interviewed and asked our names and where we are from, I get excited and proud to say Hamburg, New York,” said Elliott. “I love ‘The ‘Burg’ and I am really glad that I have hometown support.”
• Matt DePeters: The aerial freestyle skier recently made his debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics. “It was so much fun,” said DePeters in a recent interview. “The performance was my personal best.”
DePeters wasn’t even expecting to qualify for the 2010 Olympics. He had been spending a lot of time focusing on the 2014 Olympics in Russia, which he already has on his mind.
“I hope to come in and do bigger tricks, make it to the finals and land on the medals platform.”
• Adam Steigert: While there aren’t many films being made in Buffalo Steigert makes sure he takes full advantage of the sites and sounds our area has to offer.
He has shown his horror films all over Buffalo. “Bitez,” a zombie flick and “Gore,” a psychotic murder flick. Lions Gate Studios has even taken notice of Steigert and fellow filmmaker and Hamburg alumni, Stephanie Wlosinski.
Their script for “Gore” was noticed by Jason Constantine of Lions Gate Studios.
“I am the kind of person that never stops till I’ve reached the top,” said Steigert. “Sometimes that’s good, sometimes bad, but I will say success is measured in the amount of work you put into it.”
Along with filming in the Buffalo area Steigert also started a local production company, “DefTone Pictures Studios.”
Currently, he is working on funding his next film in the Village of Angola. “This is going to be bigger than any of our other productions,” said Steigert.
He will be presenting the Village Board with his plans next Monday (March 8) at 6:30 p.m. at the Village of Angola Hall.
• Anna Pawlaczyk: Currently Pawlaczyk is working as one of the weekend assignment editors and multimedia journalists at Channel 2 (WGRZ). Pawlaczyk is also a former intern of The Sun.
Pawlaczyk started as part of Gannett’s (WGRZ-TV) Talent Development Program. “I was chosen as one of 20 of the “best and brightest” graduating journalists in the nation,” said Pawlaczyk. After proving herself during her internship they gave her a position.
“I feel like at Hamburg High School, we had a lot of teachers who kind of reached out and encouraged us to live our dreams, even if they were kind of out there,” said Pawlaczyk.
In five years time she hopes to still be in the industry, working as a reporter or producer. “My heart has always been in sports, so ideally, I would like my future to involve that,” said Pawlaczyk.
• Daniel Hoerner: Hamburg native Daniel Hoerner is breaking barriers with his short film “Judgement Day,” which he has been promoting at film festivals across the country.
The film about the awkward stages of high school was also recognized at the Sacramento Internal Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
“I think my fellow graduates were and are some of the most talented people I’ve ever met,” said
In the fall he will be showing his film at the Frameline, the San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festivals.
• Shawn Kline: Currently Kline is a reporter at WVVA-TV, a television news station in Bluefield, WV.
He also interned with Channel 2’s WGRZ and served as the general manager of his Buffalo State College’s campus news station, BSC-TV.
While it’s only been five years since this pack of students graduated, I know there is sure to be more students to add to the list of successes as time goes by.
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