Bernards Kids' 'Imagination' Earns National Distinction

A group of Bernards middle school students earned national recognition recently for their problem-solving skills — and using their imaginations.

The William Annin Middle School students earned third place out of 68 teams competing in Destination Imagination's global finals in Knoxville, Tenn. The Bernards Township students were among three New Jersey teams earning top 10 honors. The "Wait. What? I Can't Read This" team from Bernards competed in the community service challenge.

The same team also received further praise after finishing first in the “Instant Challenge” section of their ‘Select Challenge’ level, where they competed against students of their grade level.

Other New Jersey groups who earned top 10 honors were from Chester and Elizabeth.

Carmine Liuzzi, the state coordinator of Destination Imagination, said the firm "provides the opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills. It provides them with the opportunity to innovate, take risks, develop collaborative and teamwork skills and approach and solve problems in a unique way.”

Delilah Passero, the customer support coordinator for Destination Imagination, said, “The program works in a timeline. Once a school purchases our program materials, the students will work on team challenges for several weeks. Afterwards, the team(s) choose one specific challenge to perform at local competitions.” 

Teams are made up of six or seven students who choose their challenge from six different categories (community service, improvisational, structural, fine arts, technical and scientific). After months of teamwork to develop a strategic solution, the students present their work at regional tournaments.

The journey to Knoxville was no easy one either. The Bernards team had to obtain an invite, after the state tournament (which was held on March 23 in Robbinsville). Highlights of this event included teams creating small ‘vehicles’ to move across the ground, a bamboo weight-holder and an eight-minute speechless improvisation skit.

“These are life skills which they will continue to define and develop as they progress in their education and their work lives,” said Liuzzi. “The ability to develop and implement innovative solutions are the skills employers require.”

Peter Winter, a Destination Imagination coordinator, told Patch in April that the qualifying teams with Bernards students were three squads from Ridge High School, two from William Annin Middle School and three from elementary schools.  

Winter also said that Bernards has had teams win at the national level in years passed.

For those students interested, every fall, Destination Imagination sends call-outs to Bernards Township schools. Staff members there have information on potential future involvement.

You can also find Destination Imagination on the web at www.destinationimagination.org.