Bay school places second at Stage Challenge

Tauranga Girls College has taken out second prize for the 2016 Stage Challenge.

The nationwide tour involved more than 14,000 participants from 180 schools.

Tauranga Girls' College's empowering performance Sacred Journey, I am strength, I am beauty, impressed national judge Cate Prestidge.

"A positive and strong performance that audiences would have found easy to relate to due to the overall message of one's journey to womanhood," she said.

Now in its 24th year, 2016 was another stellar Stage Challenge year, as youth throughout the nation continued to raise the bar with their creativity and expression.

"The thinking and research behind many performances was exceptional and strong. Creative work was apparent in all aspects of the entries from set and costume design to the narratives and performances."

Although they did not receive a national award, judges made a special mention of Papamoa High School and their performance, Dia De Los Muertos, The Day of The Dead.

The performance was based on the Mexican tradition of celebrating the memories you have for someone who's passed on.

"It was visually stunning" due to the dramatic use of skeleton props and the powerful concept Papamoa High portrayed, she said.

Stage Challenge production manager Duane Inocencio announced two backstage award winners, including Mount Maunganui College.

Mount Maunganui College presented a fantastic crew portfolio which outlined their props and the purpose of each in great detail.

Event co-ordinator Shanell Bielawa said Stage Challenge was such a well-rounded, widely appreciated event

"To not only be nominated for a national award but to win one is an amazing achievement. Well done to all of this year's winners".

Wanganui High School won first place in the 2016 national awards.