Cultural celebration at Wairarapa College

ELITES: Wairarapa College Arts Elite recipients Gus Syben (left), Susan Colton, Jake Schdroski, and Zac Emerson. Absent was Hayden Warren.

Walking into the Wairarapa College hall to the beat from school band Prop marked the opening of the annual Cultural Assembly.

Students involved in cultural activities at the Masterton school were celebrated and awarded Arts Blues and Elites awards, said teacher Suzanne Oliver.

Five students received Arts Elites recognising their achievement in public performance or exhibition in a cultural sphere up to national age group level.

Receiving her second consecutive Elite was Year 13 student Susan Colton for winning the Young Designer Award and Open Paint the Town Category at the Oversew Fashion awards.

Year 13 dancer Gus Syben earned an Elite award for Dance with his acceptance to the NZ School of Dance and Vacant City band members Jake Schdroski, Zac Emerson and Hayden Warren all received Elites for becoming national finalists in the Smokefreerockquest, Ms Oliver said.

Vacant City performed alongside Prop before the Elite awards were handed out.

Cultural Council teacher Gavin McEwen said there had been some outstanding achievements this year, including the Stage Challenge cast and crew "continuing to impress and keeping our stage challenge tradition alive with powerful and energetic performances"; the annual school production of Grease; which was "fun and full on and had the highest audience numbers ever seen"; more music groups than ever; artists representing the school at exhibitions; and textiles and design students achieving great things in various fashion events.

Mr McEwen encouraged all students to get involved in the cultural side of college.

"I know far too many students who haven't got involved, and wished that they had. There are plenty of ways and opportunities to get involved at WaiCol, so get involved."