MRHS Grad Wins Award at 2012 Garden State Film Festival for Documentary on Chris Dhume

When Aaron Hobson's schoolmate, Chris Dhume, in January 2011, Hobson felt compelled to tell Dhume's story.

Dhume was co-captain of the Boys' Varsity Soccer team and was the leading scorer in Matawan Regional Soccer history, according to his coach, David Deegan. Dhume, number 21, held the record for the most goals in one season and for the most goals in one career.

But anyone who knew Dhume could tell you, he was much more than an excellent athlete. He was and an outstanding young man.

Hobson, an older student at and prospective film-maker who is now a Media Studies student at Brookdale Community College, decided to , called Number 21: The Chris Dhume Story.

"When I decided to make [the film], I wanted to show how great of a kid he was, as a soccer player but as a friend too," said Hobson.

Hobson produced and directed the film along with friend and fellow young producer Will Alston. The pair began showing it at local libraries and distributing copies to classmates and anyone who wanted to watch.

Hobson also submitted the documentary to several film festivals in New Jersey, including the Garden State Film Festival.

The Garden State Film Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that began in 2002 with the mission of promoting filmmaking and creative arts educational programs by showcasing a variety of film, video and animated works, according to the festival's website. Since it's origination, the festival has grown into one of the largest in the state.

He was notified in February that it was accepted to the festival, but the winners do not know who they are until the awards dinner.

"When I won, I felt so happy and I was full of joy. I felt like I won the Super Bowl; it was unbelievable. I really felt that I honored Chris and I made him proud," Hobson told Patch after receiving this recognition.

Number 21: The Chris Dhume Story also recieved an honorable mention at the 2011 Metropolitan Film Festival of NY back in October.

For a personal copy of the film, Hobson can be contacted via email at ahobson816@gmail.com.