Saugerties student filmmaker a nationwide finalist

Just four video submissions from around the country were recently selected for Polartec’s “Made Possible Challenge,” and Saugerties native Terence Gardner’s video for his SUNY New Paltz Outing Club made the cut. Polartec, manufacturer of outdoor performance fabrics, has sponsored the competition for college outdoor organizations for the past three years. Last year’s winner was Princeton University. The winning college’s outdoor club receives $10,000. Gardner, a student at SUNY New Paltz and a 2009 graduate of Saugerties High School, is currently majoring in Digital Media Production. He still works and lives in his hometown when not in school. “This is a chance to show that students at state colleges in New York can go up against the best,” he said. “Winning would benefit us, but also be a testament to the abilities of SUNY institutions and students. We work really hard in our classes, and our video shows a lot of teamwork and effort outside of studies, too. What we need now is everyone to vote for us.” While the semi-finalists are based on merit, the winner is ultimately decided by the number of votes cast by members of the public on Polartec’s Made Possible Facebook page. The SUNY team is asking everyone to cast a ballot for SUNY New Paltz on Facebook at “Polartec Made Possible 2012” or to www.helpsunywin.com. Ballots may be cast every 24 hours. The contest ends Dec. 14.