Local Middle Schoolers Are Asking for Your Help

Our local middle schoolers from Marco Foster and Niguel Hills are asking for your help! We have been involved in Destination Imagination (DI) since September. Our team has been working hard and succeeding! We have won both our Regional (San Juan Capistrano) and State (San Diego) competitions ... now we are off to Globals in Knoxville, TN!

However, the cost is high ... but the experience is PRICELESS! We must cover the cost of airfare, lodging, food and academic events for each of our 7 team members ($655/student).

We are asking for a donation toward our team attending this life-changing event. Please note that any donation is tax deductible (ID 22-2415554).

We thank you in advance for your help in recognizing how important creativity, problem-solving and academics are to our children!

Please submit your donation to:

Destination Imagination
Attn:  GF Donation Dept.
1111 South Union Avenue
Cherry Hill,  NJ  08002
Include Team Number: 105-72582 (The Narwhals)

Destination Imagination is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible. Our Tax ID is 22-241554.

If You Can Contribute, Please Contact:        
Connie Byrnes, byrnesbunch@gmail.com, 949-351-0707

PRESS RELEASE

Local San Juan Capistrano & Laguna Niguel Middle School Team advances to Destination Imagination's Global Finals, the largest creativity celebration in the world.

SJC/LN, CA -- After winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in local, state and regional tournaments, The Narwhals From the South Eastern Hemisphere has earned the right to travel to Destination Imagination's Global Finals, the largest creative thinking and problem solving competition in the world, to be held May 22-26 in Knoxville, TN. Team members include Riley, Abby, Alexander, Sarah, Amanda, Nico, and Andrew from Dana Point/SJC and Laguna Niguel.

They will compete with other teams in the category: In the Zone, one of seven, open-ended challenges that require young people to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service.

"I am so proud of my team's accomplishments. They have worked extremely hard since September and have won both the Regional and State competitions. I am thrilled to have them traveling to Tennessee for the Global Tournament," said Team Manager, Betsy Besanceney.

"Being on a college campus and competing with 15,000 other kids is so exciting! I can't wait to go!" said Team Member Riley.

"We have worked so hard as a team. We are hoping to raise the funds necessary to get all of our team to the University of Tennessee to show off our efforts!" said Team Member Sarah

Please submit your donation to:

Destination Imagination
Attn:  GF Donation Dept.
1111 South Union Avenue
Cherry Hill,  NJ  08002
Include Team Number: 105-72582 (The Narwhals)

Destination Imagination is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible. Our Tax ID is 22-241554.

Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million young people and adults who have benefitted from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. This year, another 100,000 young people have competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and in 30 countries to earn a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.

The Narwhals is among more than 15,000 students representing more than 1,250 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which will be held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville May 22-26.

“The Destination Imagination Program allows students K-College to learn and experience the creative process. Quantitative reasoning, problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the program,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO.

This year, National Geographic’s world renowned author and photographer, Joel Sartore, will be addressing the participants at the Global Finals Opening Ceremony. This year’s Global Finals Innovation Expo will house engaging exhibits from NASA, Michigan Tech’s Mindtrekkers, 3M and many other innovative companies. In addition, participants will have a chance to explore the depths of our planet’s oceans and learn about environmental conservation through the 3M-sponsored, interactive “Explore the Uncharted” exhibit.

Destination Imagination is an educational program where student teams are immersed in the creative process needed to solve open-ended challenges, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments. If they win at those levels, they may receive an invitation to Global Finals.

“The DI competition requires students to work through some very demanding critical thinking and problem solving assignments that strengthen our educational systems by enhancing the learning processes taking place in the classroom,” declared Cadle.  “We’ve seen the development of superior aptitudes in analytical thinking, leadership, project management, teamwork, communication, research and innovation in hundreds of thousands of youth since our organization’s inception almost three decades ago, and we believe Destination Imagination has the potential to bridge the gap between what is taught in our schools and the thinking skills our youth will need to succeed in the world of the future.”

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.