"We have all come closer together through this process, and worked through everything as one."
Lucy Wymer says participating in Showquest gives the students a chance to learn through experience.
"This programme provides young creative rangatahi with a platform to express themselves. Combining the five key components of drama, dance, technology, music and art to perform a fully formed piece on the day. "
Showquest was staged earlier this year in Northland, Invercargill, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Auckland.
The national final was judged from a pool of regional first-place winners by a panel of expert judges from the performing arts.
Teams were judged overall on their performance and a number of other aspects outlined below.
Judge Angela Bloomfield, of Shortland Street fame, said she was blown away with the performances.
"Art inspires kids, and offers them an opportunity to connect with their fellow performer in a way no other classroom subject allows," she says.
"I felt privileged to be in the hot seat for judging."