Each May, more than 12,000 of the world’s most innovative students compete in teams to showcase their problem-solving skills at the Destination Imagination Global Finals competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. The challenges that students compete in range from Engineering to Improvisational Theatre to Fine Arts and Scientific challenges that ask students to think outside the box. Students have to go through Regional and Provincial tournaments before earning berths in the Global Finals, where 17 countries were represented and up to 31 have participated. This year, the Comox Valley sent four teams representing each of the three secondary schools in the region.
Mark Isfeld continued its strong tradition of excellence the DI events, by sending two solid teams in two separate Challenge areas; Fine Arts and Improvisational. The Pink Ladies, a group of six intrepid, talented girls competed in the Senior Improvisational Challenge. After two days of gruelling competition, they finished 30th out of more than 80 teams. Also from Isfeld, “Triple I” took on the world in the Fine Arts Challenge, which asked them to research a problem and present a solution in a creative theatrical manner. In a very competitive field, they placed 18th out of 80 teams and were the top team in Canada in their Challenge Area.
GP Vanier and Highland Secondary joined forces and sent a joint Engineering team to Global Finals, the first time two secondary schools have combined efforts for this Challenge. This challenge asked competitors to build the lightest structure possible that could simultaneously support as much weight as possible. “Do or DI,” as the team was called, dominated the event, building a 22-gram structure that held almost 1000 pounds. In addition, the team had to perform an eight-minute skit describing how problems between nations were addressed. The team finished fifth in the world, the top Canadian team in the event and one of only three Canadian teams to make the Top Five in any challenge area this year. Team member Lucy Dabbs, a Grade 10 student from GP Vanier was thrilled.
“Seeing our names on the screen when they listed the Top 10 teams in the world was such an incredible moment,” she said. “ To think that we’re from this small community without the resources of a country behind them and to do so well. It made me think that I made a difference and that I matter in the world.”
Finally, “Team Chance” from GP Vanier, had a remarkable end to an incredible first year in Destination Imagination competition. This first-year team, comprised of all Grade 8 students, set a number of “firsts” this year. They are the first team entirely made up of GP Vanier students and the first Middle level Improv team to represent the Comox Valley at this prestigious event. After dominating at the Regional and Provincial tournaments this year, Team Chance finished in fifth place, joining Do or DI as the top Canadian team in the world and capping an amazing year for them.
Grade 8 student Brooke O’Toole remembers the unbelievable feeling of being told that their raw Improv score was the highest in the world.
“The whole team just erupted in tears…and cheers. It was an amazing moment”.
All of the teams, with coaches Lori Mazey, Sarah Jones, Lesley Johnson, Willem Roelants, and Greg Kochanuk want to thank the support of Lake Trail principal Gerald Fussell, the school district, and the many community partners and businesses who generously supported them with their fundraising to get them to Knoxville!