NOBEL Peace Prize-winning human rights activist Malala Yousafzai was the inspiration for Medina College students, who performed a dance routine that depicted her amazing story in last week’s southern area heat of Rock Challenge.
The college’s team of 56 — representative of Years 7 to 13 — came second with their entry, Together, We Can Change the World, in front of a packed audience at Portsmouth Guildhall, last week.
The eight-minute routine impressed the judges with its interpretation, through dance and dramatic performance, how Malala, aged 17 at the time, had survived being shot in the head by the Taliban in Pakistan and went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in changing the face of education for girls worldwide.
The students, who are now sweating on making the Southern Open Final as a possible wild card entry as a best runner-up, also won awards for choreography, performance skill, stage use, set design and function, costuming character, entertainment, lighting, stage crew, video performance and student leadership.
Medina College teacher, Rachael Hansford, said: "Our students were an absolute credit to our school. The performance was excellent. Each and every student squeezed every ounce of energy and commitment into their individual roles."
Sandown Bay Academy, already qualified for the Southern Premier Final on April 29, due to its success last year in Rock Challenge, performed a non-competitive showcase of their entry, Perilous Harbour, set during the Pearl Harbour bombing of 1941.
It earned some special awards for choreography, drama, soundtrack, costuming character, entertainment, video performance and stage crew.
Ryde Academy, with their entry, Escaping Death, about the most famous of all illusionists, Harry Houdini, also performed a showcase for the Premier final and won awards for performance skill, drama, soundtrack, lighting, video performance and stage crew.

Reporter: jonm@iwcpmail.co.uk