In a stark departure from her last comedic piece, the Rutherford Technology High School student instead found inspiration from one of Australia’s most horrific homicides.

“Stephanie Scott was a massive inspiration for this piece,” Ashley, 15, said. “But we had to be really careful not to use it in a negative way and we also didn’t want to be disrespectful to her family.”

Stephanie Scott’s life came to a most tragic end earlier this year when she was allegedly killed by Leeton High School cleaner Vincent Stanford.

Her charred remains were found in the isolated Cocoparra National Park, in country NSW, the day before she was due to marry her fiancé.

“Our piece is essentially about abduction and not letting your past hold your future hostage. I just really wanted to explore my ability to write something like this,” Ashley said.

The piece will now go onto the finals of the new Sharp Short Festival aimed at writers, actors and directors under the age of 18 years.

Leading the drama ensemble is former Rutherford Technology High School student, and now teacher, Alysha McCann.

“I studied drama with Andrew O’Callaghan (the school’s former drama teacher) and he’s definitely the reason I am a drama teacher,” Miss McCann, 22, said.

“He really inspired me and all through high school he told me I could be whoever I wanted to be.

“I am here today following in his footsteps and hopefully creating new traditions for the students.

“I’m very impressed with what the students have come up with for this competition. It shows they are connected with the community around them.”