Four D58 Teams Advance to Destination Imagination's International Competition

Submitted by Downers Grove Grade School District 58. Photos courtesy of Pierce Downer and Whittier PTAs.

Downers Grove, IL - After achieving honors for creativity, teamwork and innovation in regional and state academic tournaments, four teams of students representing District 58’s Pierce Downer and Whittier schools have earned the right to compete in Destination Imagination's Global Finals, the world’s largest celebration of student creativity, to be held May 25-28 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

This year, 150,000 students participated in tournaments throughout the U.S. and 30 countries in hopes of earning a spot at the Global Finals. The District 58 teams advanced after competing at the state tournament, held April 16 in DeKalb, Illinois.

They will compete with other teams from around the world in 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.

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.

Advancing Participants Include:

Pierce Downer School

Team Name: Awesome Majestic Rainbows
Grades: 3rd/4th
Challenge: Improv
Team Members:

• Malini Fisher
  
• Pallavi Fisher
  
• Teddy Karabinas
  
• Amelia Wilhelm
  
• Steven Wilhelm

Pierce Downer School

Team Name: Mystical Marshmallow SkyDIvers
Grades: 5th
Challenge: Fine Arts
Team Members:

• Grace Brenner
  
• Katy Heverin
  
• Tabitha Irvin
  
• Avery Lenz
  
• Amanda Lesley

Whittier School

Team Name: Magic Six
Grades: 5th
Challenge: Improv
Team Members:

• Kate Cesario
  
• Catherine Dobrez
  
• Sophie Michaels
  
• Katherine Mielke
  
• Megan Quinn
  
• Katie Sheeran

Whittier School

Team Name: DI Donuts
Grades: 5th
Challenge: Fine Arts
Team Members:

• Emily Allen
  
• Libby DeCero
  
• Natalie Folkening
  
• Hope Johnson
  
• Ellie Kist
  
• Ellie Watts
  

For more information about Global Finals, visit http://globalfinals.org.