JPC student takes top Rotorua speech and drama prize

John Paul College student Lucy Pepper has been named Performer of the Year at the annual Rotorua Speech and Drama Competition.

Performer of the Year is the premier event of the three-day competition, in which about 200 children aged 5 to 18 took part in 750 performances.

Lucy was awarded her prize today, the final day of the competition.

Although she always had a keen interest in drama the 17-year-old took up speech and drama only four years ago.

"I enjoyed drama, but I never took it that seriously," she said.

Lucy also does ballet, contemporary dancing and singing lessons and said time management was the key to fitting it all in.

"I get a good vibe from it, I enjoy being up there on stage," she said.

"It takes your mind off other things and you can just be in the moment."

When second place was announced and Lucy realised she had won there were tears in her eyes.

"I was really surprised," she said.

"I knew I did my best, but some of the others were amazing and totally deserved it.

"It still hasn't sunk in."

Over the course of the weekend Lucy participated in character, Shakespeare, reading at sight and New Zealand verse.

"For me the hardest part is learning all the lines, then getting over the nerves just before you go on stage," she said.

"Improvisations are pretty hard too, you have 30 seconds to plan something, that's a scary 30 seconds."

When she finishes school at the end of this year Lucy hopes to study business and theatre with dreams of one day becoming a director.

She has already starred in Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods and Evita.

John Paul College drama teacher Gabrielle Thurston said she was proud of her students - the top four placings were all from the college.

"They're Year 13 and they've all been with me since they were little," she said.

"They're all very committed and passionate about drama and the arts.

"They get a huge enjoyment out of performing and learning not only the drama but the literature and the stage craft."

Lucy will now go on to the national competition alongside the three other students who scored marks above 85 out of 100.

Top results
Performer of the Year
1st - Lucy Pepper
2nd - Elsie Spiers
3rd - Theresa McLean
Very Highly Commended - Jessica Hawthorne
Highly Commended - Sophia Ranson, Liam Dixon, Emma Lund

Olivia Webb Cup for most outstanding under 8 - Mason Dearlove
Laura Watson Trophy for most promising under 10 - Molly Bradley
Kevin Beamish Trophy for most promising under 14 - Meihana Taputu
SCA 25th Anniversary Cup for most promising over 14 - Elsie Spiers
The Ben and Todd Trophy for comical excellence - Matthew Veitch and Ronan Griffiths
Remo Royal Malcolm Trophy for most outstanding character - Liam Dixon
50th Anniversary Cup for most outstanding performer - Lucy Pepper