Over a thousand onlookers were left spell-bound last night as an East Auckland primary school student’s Christmas drawing was transformed into New Zealand’s largest laser projection.

Azita Nafissi of Churchill Park School won a competition to have her drawing of Santa and his reindeer beamed onto the iconic TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre roof in Manukau.

“I love art and wanted to include my favourite Christmas friends in my theme,” says Azita.

Azita was unable to attend the event having travelled to Iran with her family for the holidays, but will watch the unveiling of the laser projection via YouTube.

The 11-year-old’s design was chosen from finalists who entered the Auckland-wide TelstraClear Christmas Laser Projection Design Competition. Her drawing was chosen by a panel of judges including actor Shane Cortese.

TelstraClear Marketing Manager Luke Patterson says that all the entries were fantastic.

“We were hard-pressed to choose a winner but Azita’s cheerful drawing of Santa and his reindeer was perfect for the laser projection medium.”

Azita’s teacher Damyanti Daya, said it was fabulous that the school won the competition.

“All the children really love art and found it interesting that the design would be made into a laser show.”

In November the Churchill Park School library and ICT centre were burnt to the ground in a suspected arson attack.

Syndicate leader Jo Day says the fire was terrible and it is a positive thing to have the school’s design up in lights.

Azita’s drawing will continue to illuminate the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre until Christmas day and her school will also receive a $1,000 TelstraClear voucher.

ENDS

About the TelstraClear Christmas Laser Event

The TelstraClear Christmas Laser Event was a free family event featuring performances from children’s entertainment group The Polkadots and hip-hop world champions REQUEST. The event also included New Zealand’s first ever laser projection sing-a-long carols.

About the TelstraClear Christmas Laser Projection Design Competition

The TelstraClear Christmas Laser Projection Design Competition gave Auckland Primary school classrooms the chance to enter a Christmas-themed drawing in the hopes of having it transformed into a laser projection. The winning class, Room 5, Churchill Park School, will have their design laser projected on to the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre roof from 20 – 25 December and received a $1,000 TelstraClear voucher for their school.

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