CK schools’ Destination ImagiNation teams going against world

It has been a banner year for Central Kitsap Destination ImagiNation teams. Five local teams, or one-third of the teams representing Washington, will compete against teams from 45 states and 20 countries in the DI Global Competition.

The contest is slated for May 26-29 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. But the fundraising begins now. Each team has to raise $7,000-8,000 to pay for airfare, room and board at the university and food.

“It’s very much like the Olympics,” said Claudia Rengstorf, gifted education specialist for the district and Destination ImagiNation coordinator. Globals has an opening ceremony where teams march in with their state or nation’s flag. About 8,000 students are expected to compete this year.

Emerald Heights will compete in the UpBeat Improv at the elementary level. Team managers are Diane Winger and Elaine Cook. Team members are Michael Thorsen, Elizabeth Cook, Nathan McVicker, Stephanie Balk, Brendon Weiner, Cameron Winder and Amanda Munsch.

In this category teams are given 30 minutes to come up with a show incorporating different kinds of music into it. They also have to bring in an original instrument.

Cougar Valley Elementary will compete in GuessDImate! on the middle and elementary school level. Eric Samson leads the elementary team made up of Jacob Samson, Joshua Sontag, Jeffrey Dahota, Kyle Moore, Kelsi Rico, Travis Howse and Jonathon Fergus.

The middle level team leaders are Maggie Howse and Vickie Sontag. Team members are Scarlett Broere, Lauren Cox, Alexandria Gingery, Cooper Howse, Dana Rubenstein, Winston Sears and Jacob Sontag.

At the Secondary Level Klahowya Secondary Students will compete in GuessDImate! Team managers are Annette Gift, Chris Jenson with team members Serenity Jenson, Catherine Jenson, Megan Gift, Masumi Ozasa, Becky Martello.

In GuessDImate! students have to build a structure of balsa wood and glue and estimate how much weight it will hold. The more weight the structure holds the more points are awarded. Students also have built a skit around the object.

Klahowya students will also compete in The Plot and the Pendulum where students use a theatrical presentation that has two stories beginning the same way but ending differently. Team members are Brad Pitcher, Robyn Silva, Ben Miller, Tyler Hughes, Jesse Ellis lead by Team Manager Catherine Pitcher.

The three schools are working together to raise part if not all of the $40,000 through business donations, Krispy Kreme sales, and raffles. There’s a McTakeover in the works as well as “Movie Nights” at two of the schools.

Rita Eklund, learning specialist at Cougar Valley is coordinating fundraising efforts and has been involved with Destination ImagiNation for the past four years. The school district has given $1,000 to each team. People also can drop off donations at each of the schools.

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