Four Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District) Destination Imagination (DI) teams have qualified for state competitions to be held in early April, in Pflugerville, Texas.
Through the DI program, small teams of students select one of several challenges. They then work for several weeks to find creative solutions and projects to present.
The Midkiff Elementary School team is known as Zaliens on a Mission. Team members are, top row: Veronica Garza (team manager), Ethan Zamora, Trenton Garcia, Leo Salinas, Yvonne Ayala (team manager). On the bottom row are: Arely Espinoza, Edith Pena, Crystal Brackin. At the regional competition, the Zaliens won first place in their category, Laugh ARTloud, and were given the Da Vinci Award for their flower seed mosaic.
The O’Grady Elementary School team is known as the Dramatic Foxes. Team members are (front row): Analee Salinas, Sofia Rodriguez, Danilee Alaniz, Leslie Guerra. On the top row are: Josue Raudy, Dalilah Trevino, Gabriel Cordova. The team manager is Cesar Gonzalez.
The K. White Jr. High School team is known as the Creative Explosion. Team members are (back row): Alysha Sandoval, Alixiz Garza, Vanessa Nieto, Cristina Diaz. On the front row are: Richard Obligar (team manager), Lisa Montez, Victoria Molina, Aleda Reyes. In addition to qualifying for state competition, the team also earned the Spirit of Discovery and Imagination award at the regional competitions.
The R. Cantu Jr. High School team is known as The Jumping Amazing Super Optimistic Noodle Squad. Team members are (back row): Michael Rodriguez, Aaron Arredondo, Leslie Borrego, Kassandra Saldana. On the front row are: Isaiah Flores, Juan Garcia, Leslie Garza. This team not only won first place at regionals, they also earned the Renaissance Award. The team manager is Reynaldo Martinez.
DI allows students to use their prior knowledge, creativity, and research skills to solve challenges as a team, while pushing their imaginations to the limits. Over an eight-week period, students work together to plan, organize, research, and create their team challenge, write a script, and make props and costumes. The process helps learn problem-solving skills, communication, and team work.
# # #