SCHOOL SPIRIT: Action from Paraparaumu College's Stage Challenge production.
"It was a 17 hour day, and the students did so well to keep their energy levels up until their performance that was ninth in the running order.
The theme was I am...the success where a young woman confronts the pressures that society puts on her, questions what it is to be successful, and in the end, realises that she is already a great success in her own right.
"The judge who commented after the performance noted the strong symbolism in the piece, and stated that the Colin McCahon inspired set design was very fitting given the theme we chose," Clare said.
"She also recognised that the taaniko that was draped over our key character in the finale showed her sense of mana and success, as was the goal for the performance.
"Our principal Gregor Fountain tweeted straight after our performance and we were rapt to have National List MP Chris Bishop comment 'They were fantastic! Well done'
"And also for another follower Louise@littlegold tweeted 'Your students were amazing on stage and polite, friendly and respectful young people off it too'.
"This was definitely the highlight for me.
"School spirit was at an all time high."
The college took part in Stage Challenge last year and won excellence for drama as well as excellence for backstage crew awards.
"We wanted to run with the momentum created last year after 10 years away from the competition, and use the knowledge within the current student body to build on the success of last year," Clare said.
The group, made up of nearly 100 students, perform all of the roles as committee members, choreographers, wardrobe, set painters, and performers.
Staff are there to help with the finer details and provide support on the day.
"It is a wonderfully collaborative project that allows students to learn so much about the creative process that is Stage Challenge, as well as competing with schools from around the region."
First place went to Tawa College for a piece about evolution called Rise, Upper Hutt College was second with a performance about the perils of poor mental health called Psycho, and Wainuiomata College was third with an interpretation of the story about their local river.
