Claire says the main criteria was originality and Shayney's design had all that and more.
``He was a stand-out really.''
Claire says the Taupo Sculpture art competition is aimed at encouraging senior art students to try their hand at sculpture.
The competition involved students from Tongariro School and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College creating either a full set of sculpture drawings to scale or a small-scale replica.
The work done by each student will also count towards their NCEA qualifications.
Kaikoura sculptor Ben Foster who created the two sculptures in Taupo's Suncourt Plaza was a mentor to the students.
Shayney's teacher, Sally Cunnington, entered him in the school-based competition in April without him knowing.
He was awarded first place for Tongariro School in September.
``I didn't even know she put me in.
``I thought I was just going to lose, that people would just look at it and walk off.''
Shayney says he didn't want to enter the competition but was pretty happy with the outcome.
``I told her not to take it to the competition but she said she was going to anyway. Then she came back and said I won and I was like `holy s**t _ I didn't even know'.
``It was pretty cool.''
Shayney says he might start producing more artwork and sculptures.
``Maybe, we will see what happens.''
Shayney says art is his way of escaping.
``It just makes me relax and I don't have to think about anything.''
A permanent full scale replica of Shayney's sculpture design is currently under consideration and if cost effective will be built in the Turangi town centre.
Though, he just has one wish.
``I hope they make it how I drew it, but I'm pretty happy. That could be there for like 100 years and I designed it.''