A different take on Snow White delivers win in comp

Students Philip, Ebony, Paris, Luke, Kim and Genny. Photo: Damjan Janevski

A group of Hoppers Crossing Secondary College students are shining the spotlight on male mental health … and winning awards for their take on the issue.

A new version of the old story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has involved 100 students in adapting the classic tale.

Their version features a male Snow White [Luke David] and a female Princess Charming [Paris Hobson], who comes to his rescue.

The school’s adaptation explores the anxieties faced by boys and young men in a changing social context.

“Males are less likely to speak about mental illness, so we want to shine a light on that through the performance,” Luke said.

Paris said there wasn’t enough focus on the mental health of young males.

The school was named winner of the best adapted story in the Wakakirri story-dance festival in July, and on Monday night students took to the stage at Hamer Hall in Melbourne to receive the state’s Wakakirri Story of the Year for a third consecutive year.

The school is now in the running for the national story of the year, which will be announced next term.