A group comprising four Wanganui High students and one from City College have won their way through to the national finals of the 2012 Rockquest.
Yesterday the five elated students who form Culture Kids said music was a huge part of their lives.
The Year 13 students were described by High School arts co-ordinator Jeanette Jones as highly intelligent young people heading into other lives next year such as studying medicine and graphic design and with one keen to get into kayaking.
While all aimed to further their studies, music would remain an integral part of their lives, they said.
If they won the Rockquest final in Hamilton next month they wouldn't split up: "We'd definitely stay together and probably have next year off ... you know, like put all the other stuff off."