Aquinas College students are in the spotlight after taking out first place in the Raw Division of the ASB 2014 Stage Challenge and J Rock competition at Baycourt overnight.

Aquinas College are the winners of the Raw Division of the ASB 2014 Stage Challenge and J Rock competition at Baycourt overnight.

The college's performance ‘The Search for the Light' was chosen from five other schools across the Bay of Plenty as winners of the division where students perform on stage without set design.

A description of their performance describes the piece as a representative of change and the struggles faced - be it personal, or a global phenomenon.

'One must believe that there can be good from change. The chosen music and our dance genres portray the struggle of change from darkness to light, through musicality and movement,” the school says in a description of the piece.

Event manager Sarah-Jane Phillips says the Stage Challenge performance is one she will remember for a while.

'They had a powerful opening – over all colourful and gorgeous to watch.”

Performance judge Sarah Martin describes it as 'an awesome performance”.

'It was unique and interesting. They demonstrated beautiful contrast and build tension with movement – it was stunning.”

In a very close second place was Otumoetai College with the performance ‘An Alternative Life' about the journey of a girl who runs away from university to join the circus.

Mercury Bay Area School took out third place with their raw performance ‘Unite and Fight'.

Design judge Daniel Pepperell says the school's costuming was a highlight.

'The custom T-shirts and fast changes did not go unnoticed. Black costumes with white masks, bright lights and your music was fantastic – it had so much power.”

Sarah-Jane says Tauranga put on a fantastic show and she was blown away by the students' talent and hard work.

'The performances reflect how Stage Challenge and J Rock are great outlets for youth to creatively express themselves and their values.”

The ASB 2014 Stage Challenge is proud to be supporting New Zealand students to be 100 per cent drug, alcohol and tobacco free.

Tonight's sold out show sees students from Tauranga Boys' College, Otumoetai College, Bethlehem College, Papamoa College, Tauranga Girls' College, Mount Maunganui Intermediate, Whangamata Area School, Katikati College, Te Aroha College, Tauranga Intermediate and Tahatai Coast School.