TOWNSEND — The North Middlesex Destination ImagiNation team, Snowflakes like Dinosaurs, will vie with teams from around the world for top honors in the 2013 Destination ImagiNation Global competition in Knoxville, Tenn.
This five-member team of creative, talented and dedicated high school students, Amy Clement (12-year DI veteran), Erin Conneilly (4-year DI veteran), Justin Marple (10-year DI veteran), Elisabeth Ryden (13-year DI veteran), and Zachary Taylor (6-year DI veteran) are looking forward to sharing in Global Finals events. Additionally, Amy, Elisabeth, and Justin will be attending DI graduation and receiving their diplomas while in Tennessee.
Destination ImagiNation is a child-centered, nonprofit, volunteer organization for children, kindergarten through grade 12, that puts forth six challenges each year.
Educators and industry experts develop these challenges, centered on a particular area of the curriculum and its related standards. These areas of focus include: Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Structural and Service Learning.
There is also a noncompetitive Early Learning Challenge that allows participants to develop social and problem-solving skills starting in kindergarten.
Destination ImagiNation participants learn by doing, learn critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and, since all challenges are solved by the team, confidence.
Most importantly, according to Massachusetts Affiliate Director Richard Mizia, they “learn that success isn’t in winning, it’s in the doing,” and participating in a regional tournament is a wondrous achievement.
The team is hoping to raise approximately $1,200 per team member to help them cover travel expenses for their trip to the University of Tennessee, room and board and to add some money back into the DI Boosters coffers. They are asking for the community’s help.
The public can send donations to the team at DI Boosters, P.O. Box 1203, Pepperell, MA. 01463, or by attending one of several upcoming fundraising events the team has planned.
Members of the team will be at the Townsend Earth Day Celebration April 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other members will be in Pepperell participating in the Town Wide Yard Sale, also April 27, selling yard sale items, bake sale items, and Chunky’s movie tickets.
We also have a DI crew that will help with spring yard work for a donation.
