For the seventh year in a row, St. Joseph School in Lake Orion sent at least one team to the Global Finals of Destination ImagiNation, May 25-28 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Destination ImagiNation has students work in teams to solve mind-bending challenges centered on creativity, problem solving, collaboration and thinking way, way outside the box. More than 100,000 students from schools in nearly 40 countries vie for the chance to make it to the Global Finals to complete against 16,000 students from around the world.
‘A St. Joe’s middle school team, named Sister Confucius, captured first place at the state level to earn their way to the Globals Finals. This is the third consecutive year this team has won a chance to compete at the global level. They competed in the Triple Take Road Show fine arts category, which challenged teams to use three different storytelling methods to tell the same story to three team-chosen pretend audiences; portray travel methods to move their traveling road show between the pretend audiences; and integrate a team-created technical spectacle into the presentation.
Team Sister Confucius includes: Gretchen Altenberger, McKenna Carron, Molly Galvin, Lauren Miller, Rachel Warstler, Taylor Warstler and Lyndsey Welper. The team is managed by Jeri and Tom Altenberger.?
The team was also awarded the Renaissance Award, recognizing teams who demonstrate extraordinary amounts of effort, preparation and outstanding skill in engineering design and performance.
‘The team is raising the $5,000 required to attend the global competition through can drives and other events. Returnable cans and bottles can be dropped off at a collection box at the school entry located at 703 N. Lapeer Rd., Lake Orion, MI 48362. Financial donations by calling 248-693-6215.