Six Camden Academy Seniors Advance to DI's Global Finals

After winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in local, state and regional tournaments, six Camden Academy Charter High School (CACHS) students have earned the right to travel to Destination Imagination’s Global Finals, held from Wednesday, May 20 to Saturday, May 23 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Members of team DIJoes include CACHS seniors Natalie Guzman, Christopher Perez, Julian Perez, Eunice Santos, Reynaldo Perez and Joshua Stauffer.

The DIJoes will compete with other teams in “The Improv Games,” one of seven, open-ended Challenges that students must solve through the application of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The students also must employ elements of improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service in order to overcome these Challenges.

This is the first year that CACHS has partnered with Destination Imagination as part of the school’s student internship program and already the students are making incredible strides throughout the organization.

“Destination Imagination (DI) had never had a high-school internship program so when our staff at DI agreed to host a group of student interns from Camden Academy Charter High School, we didn’t quite know what to expect. Within five minutes of the students being in our office, it was evident we had an amazing team of young adults,” said Britt Dyer, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Events. “Each of these students is setting a unique example of what it looks like to work hard, dream big and make a positive difference in their community. We are so excited to see where their curiosity and passions lead them in the days ahead. They have brought so much joy to our office that we would openly welcome all of them to come back and apply for jobs with DI in the future.”

Destination Imagination is an academic program that challenges student teams to immerse themselves in the creative process, solving open-ended Challenges, and then presenting their solutions at regional and state tournaments. Coming into these Challenges as first-time competitors, CACHS seniors were able to beat out veteran teams, winning first place during state finals and solidifying their seat at Global Finals.

“As a member of the team, I believe going to Global Finals is important to us because we are the first team from Camden to ever be a part of this event.” said DIJoes member Christopher Perez. “I believe that we are the perfect team to represent Camden. We have the potential, the mentality and the acquired skills to represent Camden in the best way.”

Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million youth and adults who have benefitted from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. The DIJoes are among more than 8,000 students representing more than 1,400 teams that will advance to Global Finals.