Kāpiti College students shine on stage

Kāpiti College has showcased talented students as part of its annual talent quest.

Arts captains Aroa Al Masri, Samuel Freeman and Elodie Craig planned and organised the event, with Aroa running the night itself as Sam and Elodie both performing.

From dancing to singing, there was a range of talents on display, and there were three judges who are all local artists — Clare Christian, Elan Van Mills, and Jess Deacon.

It was a close competition, and the junior winners ended up as Liam Tomkinson, who played guitar, in second, and Hover Waterworth, who gave a solo vocal performance of Dear Soulmate by Laufey, in first.

The senior winners were Ellie-May Wilson, who performed a dance piece in second, and the band Hannah’s Diagnosis, who performed The Feminine Urge by The Last Dinner Party, in first. The Yellow Hot Banana Berries won the Most Promising award, with their performance of Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana.

The winners were given prizes — Kāpiti Wood Fires sponsored both senior prizes, Mayor Janet Holborow sponsored the first place junior prize, and Mostly Music provided the Most Promising prize, which was an hour of mentorship for the winning band.

Principal Tony Kane said he was blown away by the quality of the performances, and he and members of the staff band kept the audience entertained with a performance while the judges deliberated.

“The skill and talent shown during the night was well and truly deserving to be on the stage, and with over 200 tickets sold, all of the acts certainly had an enthusiastic audience to perform to.”