Waimea’s winning streak

Waimea schools had a big win on Friday night at the regional heats of the Showquest challenge with Garin College, Waimea Intermediate School and Waimea College coming first, second and third respectively.

Showquest is the country’s biggest student performing arts platform and encompasses art, music, dance, drama, culture, and technology. Students took to the stage at Nelson’s Trafalgar Centre as teams battled it out in front of a sell-out audience.

On the night, Garin College took first place along with awards for best soundtrack, live music, original composition, theme and drama. Their piece was themed around the five stages of grief and the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving, highlighting an issue that’s relevant to teens.

When talking about why Garin College stood out to the judges, Year 12 student captain Ellen Theobald says, “I think it was the idea behind the performance. People can relate to it as it affects so many of us.”

Garin College teacher Mhairi Gray says they couldn’t be prouder of the win and how hard the students worked.

“They spent months working up to the event and gave up many Sundays to make this happen. As we don’t have dance as a subject, it gave the opportunity to show their strengths and come together as a team across all year levels.”

Principal for runners-up Waimea Intermediate School, Justine McDonald, says it would have been the first time a lot of the students had ever performed on stage to such a large audience.

“We had 70 students take part and it’s pretty daunting for many of them to get up there and perform in front of such a large audience.”

WIS student Max Brown scooped the ‘star of the show’ award, while the school also won best choreography, video wall and props.

Nelson’s deputy mayor and chair of Showquest Charitable Trust, Rohan O’Neill-Stevens, says there is immense value in the competition.

“The visual empowerment of these young people on stage being given the space not just to tell their own stories, but tell them in their own way, is an incredibly important part of the development experience of rangatahi in this country.”

Garin College will now progress to the Digital National Final, released on 2 August, comprised of all schools who won in their region. and based on their performance videos taken on the night.

Showquest was launched in 2018 by RQP (Rockquest Promotions), the company behind music development programmes, Smokefreerockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats and Rockshop Bandquest.

Showquest director Matt Ealand says that the competition provides a growth opportunity for students that goes beyond developing skills in the performing arts.

“Having been active for six years, we can see just how much of a difference that can make for these young people on their journey into the arts. We have seen students return to the Showquest stage as leaders. They’re exhibiting awesome teamwork, communication, and coordination skills, and with great confidence.”