He also completed the three-year Youth Search and Rescue programme, learning search, rescue and emergency response methodologies and achieved both the Leadership Award and Student of the Year honours.
Alongside his volunteering, Power is also passionate about protecting our native birds, running a trap line in the Kaimai Ranges and building and selling rat traps.
While at Tauranga Boys' College, he was head of arts and undertook roles in the school productions, Shakespeare competition, choir, debating and arts council.
He is also an avid sportsman across a number of codes, which includes playing hockey, water polo and snow sports.
In a written statement, the multi-talented TECT Youth Spirit Award winner said he felt honoured to win the award which recognises the importance of giving back to the community.
"I feel very proud to have been recognised in this way. While it isn't the reason that we do what we do, it's always great to know that the time you put in is being seen and appreciated," Power said.
"I also think it's great recognition for Tauranga Boys' College, Ōmanu Beach Surf Life Saving Club, and Youth Search and Rescue.
"Those organisations have really shaped and supported me, so I am incredibly grateful to them.
"I think what we do is very important to the community, as everyone wants to be safe at the beach and in the hills. I love what I do, hopefully, I will be able to continue life guarding when I come back to Tauranga for the summer.
"I would also love to join a Search and Rescue team in Christchurch in the next year or so, as continuing to develop my skills in this area in the beautiful terrain we have down south would be awesome."
Maureen Chaytor from Youth Search and Rescue, who nominated Power, said she was thrilled James had been recognised.
"The reason we chose to nominate James is his caring, keen to volunteer personality. He is always first to put his hand up and always achieves what he volunteers for.
"James is an inspirational young man who has a great future ahead of him. At Youth Search and Rescue James represented all the attributes needed to become a fantastic leader and volunteer in Search and Rescue," she said.
"He will be a change-maker and without a doubt, improve outcomes in his community over his lifetime. Students like James remind us that our future is in good hands.
She said the organisation was proud of Power.
"James' future is bright, both through the career choices he makes, but also the positive impacts he will have in the communities he lives."
Other finalists recognised in the Youth Spirit category included Brylee Comer, Irene Vakasiuola, Jack Miller and Louis Donovan.
The TECT Community Awards are being hosted online, with a finalist video released every weekday on the TECT Facebook and website until August 3.
There are seven award categories: Event Excellence, Sustainable Future, Diversity and Inclusion, Rising Star, Youth Spirit, Volunteer of the Year, and Lifetime Service.
STEMFest won the Event Excellence Award, Good Neighbour won the Sustainable Future Award, The Search Party Charitable Trust won the Diversity and Inclusion Award, and Rescue, Revive, Rehome (RRR) won the Rising Star Award.
Next week's award category is the Volunteer of the Year Award. Finalists are Brett Williamson, Bryce Dinneen, Elise Rohde, Lex Spencer, Sam Fellows and Trevor Clist.
