Recently, Wylie’s Destination Imagination program, better known as DI, competed in the Texas DI regional meet. It’s imagination at its finest — wild-colorful costumes, silly hats, props of plenty, and hundreds of energetic students of all ages, and team names of nonsense. Adults involved as volunteers and supportive parents will agree that one does not truly understand DI until you are in DI, and the benefits students gain from DI go beyond what you can imagine.
Destination Imagination is a STEM-based activity that allows students teams to work on challenges based on specific components. These components are technical, science, engineering, service, fine arts, and improvisation. Most teams select to compete in one or two challenges each year and learn to use a wide variety of skills. Teams generally begin working on their challenge in August with competitions beginning in February. Each team competes at Regionals with the hopes of advancing to State and then Globals, which is the international competition held in May.
Kim Cheek, director of Wylie’s Destination Imagination program for 29 years, describes the program as being the “Olympics for the mind” and says it empowers students to solve problems with a diverse and flexible mindset.
“Kids are empowered to solve problem-based challenges that promote innovative thinking and conflict resolution, “says Cheek. “They fail often, but in that process learn from those mistakes and that there is more than one way to solve a problem. They communicate ideas and appreciate others and the strength of collaborating with others.”
Over the years, Wylie teams have gone on to compete very well at Globals. In addition to competing well, team members have a heart for each other and the program. Cheek said she is now seeing alumni and their children participating in the program.
“It was also special to see retired educators from Wylie still giving back to the program and appraising at the regional level. We also had several alumni judging,” says Cheek. “Some of the kids competing this year are children of former competitive alumni…and kids I coached!”
Destination Imagination Teams competed on Feb. 9-10 at the Regional meet in the Metroplex. All 14 teams placed at the first competition of the season with half of them advancing to state. Outstanding!
The Earhart Echidnas placed first in the Middle Level Scientific Challenge. Team members include Claire Green, Raylee Chayne, Paisley Goolsby, Chance McDonald, Christian Alvarez and Luke Morrow. Team Managers: Lettie Morrow and Melissa Alavarez. They also won a Renaissance Award for outstanding engineering, design or performance skill.
The DI Captains won first place in the Engineering Challenge, Middle Level. They are also the proud recipients of a DaVinci Medal for a unique approach to a solution; risk-taking, and outstanding creativity. Team members include Jery Huddleston, Koen Nelson, Alyssa Boulware, Abigale Lazaroff, Harper Pizzeck, Claira Jenkins, and Kennedy Hall. Team managers include Susan Hall, Cami Huddleston, and Katie Nelson.
The Blue Stingrays won fourth place in the Service Learning Challenge for Elementary Level teams. Team members include Dylan Schwartz, Sadie Hanner, Harrison Edwards, Charley Pruitt, Kenna Scheubach, Olivia Rinard, and AJ Lane. Team managers: Macey Hanner, Katherine and Cameron Rinard, Melissa Scheubach, Leah Pruitt, and Lauren Edwards.
The Detective Ducks won 2nd place in the engineering challenge, middle level. They are advancing to the state tournament. Team members include Jacob Tucker, Liam Chapman, Ryder Hart, Addison Castaneda, Dara Folowasele, Macy Terry, and Cooper Penney. Coaches are Regina Penney, Erin Chapman and Leanne Tucker.
The Screaming Beetle Tacos won 1st place in the engineering challenge, elementary level. They will be advancing to the state tournament. Team members include Lizzie Fernandez, Elisha Oliver, Noah Thomason, Reid Tipton, Analeigh Shoemake, An Lee, and Yara Khalife. Team managers are Angel Buck, Valerie Anderson and Kim Cheek.
The Taco Toucans won 3rd place in the elementary level, scientific challenge. Team members include: Connor Monce, Trey and Quincy Solarza, Matthew Tucker, Nellie Tussing, Callen Kincaid, and Emma Clark. Team managers are Ashley Monce, Kim Lane and Leanne Tucker.
The Mental Milkshakes won 2nd place in the technical, secondary level challenge. The team also won high instant challenge. Team members: Scout McCall, Karter McIntire, Addi Kerry, Seth Bergan, Carson Wells, Mia Chavez, and Arianna Paasch. Team Managers are Valerie Anderson and Angel Buck.
The Hyper Pipers are headed to state after winning 1st place in the elementary level fine arts challenge. Team members include: Denson Coil, Riley Graham, Brevyn Simer, Keeva Gollihar, Sophie Jackson, Christian Cotton, and Lila King. Team managers are Nastasha King and Emma Graham Figuero.
Party Pandas won 3rd place and a DaVinci special award. Team members include: Elsie Stark, Charlotte Pizzeck, Chandler and Kendall Young, Emberly Connor, Jak Barnes, and Paige Ponder. Team managers: Christi Stark and Tamara Pizzeck.
The Odd Spicy Bananas are headed to state after winning 1st place in the middle level technical challenge. The team members include: Maddie Chavez, Davis and Carter Edmiston, Faryn Gollihar, Sophia Stallings, Fletcher Smith, and Taegen Jenkins. Team managers are Andrea Chavez and Joy Gollihar.
The Dooby Dooby Doos are headed to state with a 1st place win in the elementary technical challenge. Team members: Molly Terry, Rebecca Massingill, Kennedy Casey, Jase King, Ethan Thonason, Chloe and Claire Stallings. Team managers are Renae Terry and Tamara Massingill.
The Snaxalotls won fourth place in Service Learning, Middle Level. Team members include: Annabelle Roberts, Conlan Paasch, Selah Leake, Claire Ortiz, Marcus Nguyen and Karis Maxwell. Team managers are Stephanie Roberts and Crystal Leake.
The Metallic Chickens won second place in the Improvisational challenge, Secondary Level. The team of seniors have been together since elementary age and have competed internationally, breaking the top ten in the world. Team members are Kelsey Burleson, Abbie Bulls, McKenzie McElyea, Avery Nelson, Kyle Page and Sheridan Johnson (not pictured). The team managers are Melissa Bulls, Tonya McElyea and Michelle Burleson.
The Seven Screaming Avocados placed 5th place in the Scientific Challenge, Elementary Level. Team members include Liam Black, Jordyn Adames, Cara Williams, Audrey Tallant, Aiden and Lelia Aboutalebi, and Coby Muncy. Team managers are Katie Williams and Athena Black.
Related: Wylie Destination Imagination
By Kristen Johnson