James Hargest College have won first place in the Southland Showquest's junior section event held on 20 June at the Civic Theatre.

Their winning performance was themed on the effect of cellphones on our lives.

St Hilda's Collegiate School won the open section while Central Southland College was placed second in the Southland regional event.

Teams were judged by actor/director Angela Bloomfield, musician Mike Knapp and dancer Chance Mckay, who were looking at each school's overall production, performance, movement, and theme.

Winning schools will now be judged alongside other regional winners in the online national final held at the end of July

Showquest is held throughout the country and is billed as the country's biggest performing arts competition for schools.

Performances can be watched online at https://www.showquest.nz/

Southland Regional Showquest event results:

Junior Section

1st Place: James Hargest College Jnr

2nd Place: Hillside Primary School

Zm Soundtrack Award: Hillside Primary School Best Theme: James Hargest College Jnr Best Use Of Drama: Hillside Primary School Best Choreography: James Hargest College Jnr Best Lighting: James Hargest College Jnr Best Use Of Video Wall: James Hargest College Jnr Effect Costume & Enhancement: James Hargest College Jnr Best Use Of Props: Hillside Primary School

Open Section

1st Place: St Hilda's Collegiate School

2nd Place: Central Southland College

3rd Place: Dunstan High School

Zm Soundtrack Award: Wakatipu High School Best Theme: St Hilda's Collegiate School & Fiordland College Best Use Of Drama: Central Southland College Best Choreography: Dunstan High School & Southland Girls' High School Best Lighting: Dunstan High School & Southland Girls' High School Best Live Music: Logan Park High School Best Original Soundtrack: Logan Park High School Best Use Of Video Wall: Mount Aspiring College Effect Costume & Enhancement: Fiordland College Best Use Of Props: St Hilda's Collegiate School

Outstanding Rangatahi: Student Leaders from Mount Aspiring College

Southland Regional Toi (Wearable Art) Results:

Star Of The Night: Tāne Mahuta - God Of The Forest / Rimu Full Primary School Creative Impact: Kiwiana / James Hargest College Snr Creative Impact: Louis The Rooster / Fiordland College

Inventive Materials: Tiktok Queen / James Hargest College Jnr

Garment Construction: The Element Of Surprise / Longford Intermediate

Storytelling: Melusina / Longford Intermediate