Local student gets statewide film nomination

Student at Gila Ridge High School making waves - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A simple interest as a young child turned into a passion over the years for Gila Ridge High School Senior Jeffery Parle. He has honed his skills so well that he has not one, but two statewide film nominations in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Southwest Emmy Awards.

Parle is excited about his films standing out.

"It was amazing for me, especially since this, nomination and the award is so well-known in Arizona. It definitely came as a surprise, especially being nominated twice, in two different sub-categories," says Gila Ridge High School Senior Jeffery Parle.

Parle has a forte for special effects.

"He’s more than qualified and he hassled his TSA test, which is like the end of the program test last year, so he aced it with like a 99," explains Gila Ridge High School Film and TV Production Teacher James Kuzniak.

One of his nominations, his film entitled superhero is nominated for the special effects graphics sub-category. The other nomination for his film entitled inferno is in the special effects animator sub-category.

"Jeffrey’s always had a knack for like, the graphics and the special effects and it was kind of like a no-brainer to put him in that category," says Kuzniak.

Although Parle is graduating high school early, he’s taking his experience with him.

"I hope to be delving into more of the social media realm in the future. I want to use the skills that I’ve learned to market maybe different businesses and stuff and at some point in the future, I want to be able to start my own business," explains Parle.

Winners will be announced in November and we’ve definitely got our fingers crossed for Parle’s films to take the win.