The results of Union Pacific’s Great Big Rollin’ Railroad Video Remake Contest were announced Tuesday in Omaha, Neb., and the results mean a local man will pursue his dream to become a character animator in Hollywood.

Brock Boyts, formerly of Syracuse, and his wife, Nellie, were named the grand prize winners of the Union Pacific 150th Anniversary contest and the $15,000 prize.

“We are so thankful for this opportunity and want to thank everyone for their support,” Boyts said. “Especially want to thank my dad for bringing this contest to our attention and believing we can win. I want to thank my mom for all of her support and helping us get votes. Most of all I want to thank my beautiful wife, Nellie, for all of her creativity, love and support on this project. I could not have done it without her.”

In June, Boyts’ video was featured here, on StaceyPageOnline.com, where his family and friends back home got a chance to see what the 2002 Wawasee High School graduate has been doing since he left the lake community in search of his dream career.

Having worked on a number of TV projects already, including motion design work for America’s Most Wanted and Cupcake Wars, Boyts was wondering how he would ever be able to afford furthering his education in character animation when he found the U.P. contest. The grand prize – $15,000 – was the same amount his 18-month course would cost.

Using his animation skills and his wife’s vocals, Boyts crafted what would soon be the best video remake in the country.

The votes submitted by the general public accounted for 30 percent of the judging. Judges for the contest were Omaha filmmaker and musician Nik Fackler; Omaha’s First Lady of Humor, Mary Maxwell, who is a highly sought after public speaker and social media phenomenon; and University of Nebraska Omaha Athletic Director Trev Alberts.

To see Boyts’ winning video, click this link: http://up150.com/gbrr/video/194.