You don’t really expect to see a familiar face on the TV screen. But for the last few weeks, senior Louis Bonilla’s has popped up on televisions and computers thanks to a nationwide commercial for the Samsung Galaxy camera in which he did what he does best: play baseball. Bonilla set up the camera to display its new auto-take technology as he stepped up to the plate to show more than just the camera what his batting arm can do.

“The first time I saw myself on TV I laughed because I couldn’t believe that I was doing something that others could see from coast to coast,” Bonilla said. “It kind of gave me a pumped feeling like after getting a new max on a lift.”

Bonilla auditioned with roughly 40 other actors March 2. He was informed of the audition by his summer baseball coach Pat Reid, whose facilities were used for the auditions. His call back was five days later in front of Verizon for the heads of the commercial department. After being selected he had a dress rehearsal on March 14 and the shoot the next day.

“I was the first one to audition,” Bonilla said. “I wasn’t nervous because the audition was just slating [saying his name] and hitting off a pitching machine, which is my thing.”

Students have taken notice of Bonilla’s commercial as they watch their favorite stations, and it has become a common topic of discussion.

“When I first saw the commercial I had to do a double take, it really caught me off guard,” senior Kyle Jacobs said. “But then I realized it actually was him and was really impressed at how well he did.”

The commercial was distributed nationwide and on the internet. You can find the commercial on YouTube by searching for, “Share Everything Samsung Galaxy Camera: Slugger” or clicking here.

“If the opportunity arises again, I won’t hesitate to jump at it,” Bonilla said. “But if this is the only thing I do on TV, at least it was during my senior year.”