Seven-year-old Emma Nicholson and her Bellbird Speech and Drama classmates conjured up some magic at the Te Awamutu Performing Arts Competition on Saturday.
The five Leamington School students teamed up to perform an original mini-play, The Witches of Cambridge’, taking on competitors ranging in age from primary schoolers to teenagers, and came third.
“The adjudicator praised their performance, saying it was so entertaining and very funny,” said their teacher, Jessie Bell.
Emma had an outstanding day on stage, winning first place for her action poem in costume and her New Zealand poem. She also won the Emerging Talent award.
“Emma really impressed the adjudicator with her confidence, clarity of voice and awesome stage presence,” Jessie said.
“Overall, the girls came away with a range of awards, including the Quirky Cup for improvisation, Most Promising Competitor under 12, and an assortment of commended and very highly commended prizes.
“It was a great effort and I was really proud of them,” she said.
“Leamington School has definitely got talent!”
The annual competition, which will celebrate its 75th birthday next year, is run by the Te Awamutu Society of the Arts.
Leamington School student Emma Nicholson celebrates her prize haul. Photo – Ben Nicholson
