The results are in from the 2017 Safer Highland Rock Challenge®
On Monday 3rd April, the event held at Eden Court Theatre was performed to a sold out audience and was supported by the Safer Highland Partnership and Police Scotland’s Choices for Life.
1st place and qualifying through to the 2017 Scottish Final:
Thurso High School, Thurso, Caithness
The Island
“Inspired by William Golding’s Lord of the Flies’ Great Britain is in a state of nuclear war and school children are forced to evacuate to ‘The Island’. How will they survive in paradise without adult leadership and rules? What lurks on the island to ruin their fun? “Maybe there is a beast… maybe it’s only us.”
2nd place
WW2 A Highland Story
“A Highland village uses music and dance to hold its community together during the bleak times of the Second World War. With the absence of husbands, fathers and brothers and a family experiencing the prospect of losing a loved one, the women rally round to bring a new sense of normality and hope to the community”.
3rd place
Nairn Academy, Nairn, Highlands
Glamour & Greed
“We tell a tale from almost a century ago… of glamour, greed and great wealth. With love, indulgence and betrayal at every corner, and the influence of alcohol wreaking havoc, this drama teaches us important lessons. Now, watch as this story of decadence unfolds…”
Alness Academy showcased their performance tonight and have also qualified to the 2017 Scottish Final due to their 2016 success!
Trapped
“Osiris, God of the Egyptian Afterlife, is a cruel leader. He and his minions rule the Underworld through fear and oppression. This dark and horrible place is populated by animals, monstrous creatures and the half dead, suffering endless torture. When the Akiiki family accidently become trapped in this world, it can only end in tragedy”.
On Tuesday 4th April, the event held at Eden Court Theatre was performed to a sold out audience and was supported by the Safer Highland Partnership and Police Scotland’s Choices for Life.
1st place tonight- qualifying through to the 2017 Scottish Final:
Invergordon Academy, Invergordon
Still in Chains
“In our darkest need we are all tempted by revenge – to pass the pain on to someone else. However, even with powers beyond natural order, can a young slave girl undo the theft of freedom, pointless murder and evil deeds that linger, even within the far reaches of her dreams? Can she ever be truly free from the painful past?”
2nd place and also qualifying through to the 2017 Scottish Final:
Dingwall Academy, Dingwall, Ross-shire
Dia de los Muertos
“His Mother’s love gone,
Family pride at stake,
Poor Enzo has a difficult choice he must make.
To dance with his heart,
Or fight with his head,
To stay with the remembered,
Or be captured by the dead
Will his family’s love be enough to help him get through,
Or will he succumb to the spirit of the bull”.
3rd place tonight:
Grantown Grammar School, Grantown-on-Spey, Moray-shire
Tam O’Shanter – A Modern Twist
“In our modern-day retelling of Tam O’Shanter we encounter an everyday market seller who gets caught up in a drug fuelled celebration with his friends. This leads to a horrifying midnight experience on the way home where they get dragged into the struggle between good and evil. Who will win out in the end?”
Attending this evenings were an array of sponsors, local authority figures and invited special guests. Following the show quotes were obtained from the following guests:
From Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Debbie Stewart, Co-ordinator commented:
“It was a fantastic show, the standard is absolutely amazing, I can’t believe the numbers of kids that are involved and I also can’t believe the number of families, members of the community. What we actually see on stage is fantastic but that’s just one part of how Rock Challenge impacts/works in local communities. It is a key part of our prevention programs to encourage young people to get a more natural high and avoid drugs and alcohol. Just brilliant!!”
Director of Care and Learning from Highland Council, Bill Alexander commented:
“Once again, young people and Rock Challenge have come together to provide, not just a wonderful evening but the conclusion of months and months of hard work by the young people; it has built their confidence, their self-esteem, their organisational skills, that is Curriculum for Excellence. Congratulations to all of the young people tonight and thank you to the Be Your Best Foundation.”
From Police Scotland, Temporary Chief Superintendent Philip Macrae commented:
“I thought it was fantastic this was my first year being here and I didn’t know what to expect; it has surpassed all of my expectations! Police Scotland are very involved and are delighted to participate at such an event.”
Further information, interviews, and high resolution photographs are also available from: