On May 25-28^th, the Greenville High School Improv Destination Imagination (DI) team and Greenville Middle School Structure DI team will compete in the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Knoxville, TN.  After achieving honors for creativity, teamwork and innovation in regional and state tournaments, these two teams earned their spots to compete on the largest world stage for creativity, innovation and teamwork.

 

“This year’s state-level achievement is outstanding,” said DI Coordinator, Emily Duke. “It’s a credit to the many students who earned it, and it showcases the great support they receive from their team managers, their teachers and the school district,” she said.

 

The teams will compete with other teams in Improv and Structure, one of seven, open-ended challenges that require students to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills, in addition to their talents in improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork, community service and social entrepreneurship. GHS Imrov team members include Jada Hilburn, Rachael Garrett, Ariel Taylor, Mandi Isom, Jace Kilmer, and Jaycie Haugen, with team managers Emily Duke and Lori Butler. GMS Structure team members include Tamara Evans, Morgan Green, Caleb Manley, Preston Norris, Jenna Ramsour, Isabella Shiflet, Lydia Spivey, with team managers Shannon Manley and Jeff Norris.

 

"DI has taught me that there is creativity and ingenuity in everyone.  You just have to dig deep and work hard every day," said Jada Hilburn, GHS senior class president and member of the GHS Improv team.

 

Hilburn’s teammate, Rachael Garrett, said “Over the past four years, DI has become my family.  I have become a better leader, thinker and doer because of the challenges and support I receive through the program.”

 

Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 students who have taken part in its acclaimed Challenge program. This year, 150,000 students have participated in tournaments throughout the U.S. and 30 countries in hopes of earning a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.

 

“Our Improv and Structure teams are among more than 8,000 students representing more than 1,400 teams that will advance to Global Finals,” said Duke.

 

Destination Imagination is a leader in project-based learning opportunities that blend STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education with the arts and social entrepreneurship. Its academic challenges are designed to teach kids how to think, not what to think, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments.

 

Each year, DI competitions begin with a regional tournament, where team solutions are assessed by a panel of trained appraisers, ranging from educators to artists to engineers. Each team solution is scored on a variety of elements, including originality, workmanship, presentation and teamwork. Teams with the highest scores advance to the affiliate (state or country) tournaments. The top-tiered teams from the affiliate tournaments advance to Global Finals.

 

Destination Imagination, Inc. dedicates itself to enriching the global community by providing opportunities for learners of all ages to explore and discover using the creative process from imagination to innovation.

 

For more information about the Destination Imagination program in Greenville ISD, contact Emily Duke at dukeel@greenvilleisd.com or 903.453.3739.For more information about Global Finals, visit www.globalfinals.org.