And the 2017 Rock Challenge Scottish Final winner is...Dingwall Academy!
SCHOOLS from Ross-shire last night dazzled judges at the Scottish final of the Rock Challenge with no fewer than three placed in the top five.
Victory was sweet for the Dingwall Academy troupe whose dramatic Day of the Dead piece, Dia de los Muertos, was voted pick of the bunch at the grand final in Dundee.
An audience of over 1710 people packed out the Caird Hall to watch performances which had been honed by secondary pupils taking part through months of practice.
The Rock Challenge was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1996 with the aim to help young people enjoy school and live proactive and positive lifestyles free of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Schools are challenged to come up with eight-minute performances through music, movement and dance to tell a story.
Invergordon took third place with Still in Chains while Alness Academy, previous winners, were fifth with Trapped.
Director of Care and Learning at Highland Council, Bill Alexander, third place prize presenter: “The final of Rock challenge is a wonderful event. It’s the combination of months and months of activity for all the young people.
"They have been working hard at this all throughout the year and it’s just wonderful that they get to enjoy it some much in front of a sold out crowd at the Caird Hall.”
Be Your Best Foundation Patron, Baroness Ruth Henig, first place prize presenter said: “Absolutely fantastic and full of action. I think the themes are really imaginative, there is a lot of colour and above all it’s the energy of the young people it really fires you up."I think it’s a wonderful evening and the people I am with, who have never been to Rock Challenge before, think it’s the most wonderful thing they’ve ever seen.”
