Logan Park High School took out the Invercargill Showquest at the Civic Theatre on Tuesday (May 14) in the third regional event of the nationwide performing arts event for schools. 

Local teens from Otago and Southland schools captured the spirit of the event in themes that are important to them, from homelessness to protecting the Pacific Ocean.

The winning team, Logan Park High School, themed their performance around the separation of families at the border between Mexico and the United States of America.

Student co-captain Lines Simons said that the team had felt so upset by the issue that they felt could not go past it when selecting their theme. 

“It is an important issue,” said the year-13 performer. “We wanted to show that as teenagers we are aware of what is going on, and that we have all these different ideas about what is contributing to the issue and what we see are the problems.”

Southland District mayor Gary Tong was in attendance. About the event, he said “what an awesome event tonight. I was just blown away by the performances and the messages that are out there."

Teams in the competitive section were judged overall on their design, performance, movement, and theme.  

The full list of Showquest awards for the Invercargill region was: 

1st Place: Logan Park High School

2nd Place: Fiordland College

3rd Place: James Hargest College

Costume Award: Fiordland College

Props Award: James Hargest College

Video Wall Award: Fiordland College

Theme Award: Logan Park High School

Drama Award: Wakatipa High School

Music Soundtrack Award: Verdon College

Lighting Award: Fiordland College

Live Music Award: Logan Park High School

Choreography Award: Logan Park High School

Outstanding Rangatahi Award: Mackenzie Maddel from Verdon College

Tikanga Award: Central Southland College

Wearable Art Award: Southland Girls' High School

Showquest is being staged this year in Whangarei, Nelson, Invercargill, Christchurch, Napier, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Hamilton and Tauranga. A national final will name the top entry nationwide in September.