Alameda Students Head to International Competition

Three teams of Amelia Earhart Elementary students have advanced to the 2015 Destination Imagination (DI) Global Finals competition in Knoxville, Tennessee, scheduled for May 20-23. DI is the largest creative thinking and problem solving competition in the world. It develops opportunities that inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. DI encourages teams of learners to have fun, take risks, and work collaboratively on challenges while incorporating STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), the arts and service learning.

Amelia Earhart students are on a roll. In the past two years, they have sent four teams to Globals—a huge accomplishment for these 4th and 5th graders. Each Earhart DI team is managed by committed parent volunteers who serve as advisors and provide training and coaching to the students throughout the DI experience.

DI’s team challenge program is at the heart of the competition. After months spent working on their projects, students compete in a regional tournament. Top-scoring teams then advance to state. The top level of the tournament is DI’s Global Finals, the culminating event of every DI season. In May, more than 1,100 teams will gather from 45 states, 7 Canadian provinces and 13 countries to compete and showcase their team challenge solutions.

“I’m so proud of all of the students who competed in Destination Imagination at regionals and state,” said Earhart Principal Joy Dean. “The students demonstrate a relentless commitment to this incredible program starting in September when the teams are initially formed and they continue their efforts for several months, preparing for the tournament after school and on weekends.”

While DI is rigorous and demanding, it is not without its rewards. “In DI, the sky is the limit. There are always different ways to solve a problem. Many times the ‘what if’ ideas are the best ideas. DI is hard work, but when we present our performance, and people smile and laugh, it’s very rewarding,” said 5th grade student Katy Hosokawa.

“It’s gratifying to see the trajectory of these students. Globals will challenge them in unexpected ways and we know that the kids will enjoy competing internationally with other students in their grade level. The opportunity to be involved in a program of this scale is truly special and the memories they’re making and the skills they’re learning will benefit them for years to come,” said Kris Kumar, Regional Director, Best of the Bay Region, California Destination Imagination.

The Earhart DI teams need to raise $43,000 to participate in Global Finals. To date, they have received approximately $15,000 in contributions. The students are asking for the community’s help to enable them to reach their fundraising goal. All donations are tax deductible and can be made at the teams’ GoFundMe page: gofundme.com/earhartdi.

The students are also planning several fundraising activities. Families across Alameda and beyond are invited for an evening glow-in-the-dark fun run/walk at Encinal High on Friday, May 1, from 7 – 9 p.m. Get some exercise while enjoying music, entertainment, raffle prizes and glow sticks. Details for this event and others will be posted on the teams’ GoFundMe page.

Congratulations to the students advancing to Global Finals:

Knights of the DI Table: Geoffrey Dubay, Liam Hofmann, Tommy Igo, Josephine Keintz, Maggie Konecky, Allison Kwon and Cordelia Spencer. Team managers: Paizley Spencer and Chris Kientz.

DI Express: Nicole Cramer, Adam Elmansouri, Cooper Gunning, Katy Hosokawa, Devin Kaneshiro, Amanda Lee and Maylee Witte. Team managers: Larry Witte and Bruce Kaneshiro.

Put Down that Cookie: Max Howard, Ethan Madsen, Grant Mills and Jonathan Yim. Team managers: Mike Yim and Andy Madsen.