Medina sending 2 Destination Imagination teams to competition in Knoxville

Posted 7 May 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – After winning honors for creativity, teamwork and problem solving in local, state and regional tournaments, the Medina High School has earned the right to travel to Destination Imagination’s Global Finals. It is the largest creative thinking and problem solving competition in the world, to be held May 20-23 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Medina’s team members from the 10th grade team include: Kristian Snyder, Aedoon Cayea, Sarah Granchelli, Nicholas Bogan, Madeline Winters and Martha Gardner. Nicole Goyette is the coach.

Team members from the 8th grade team include: Jessica Granchelli, Alissa Blount, Margaret Griffin, Ray Paull, Kody Leno and Brandan Heschke. Lois Donovan is the coach.

They will compete with other teams in the Making Waves and Improv Games challenges. There are seven open-ended challenges that require young people to apply science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), in addition to improvisation, theater arts, writing, project management, communication, innovation, teamwork and community service.

“I am so proud of the teamwork and dedication these kids show to all aspects of their lives,” said Team Manager Nicole Goyette. “They are great kids!”

The Medina teams were lucky to each receive a grant from ThermoFisher in Rochester to cover the costs of their trips to compete. The remaining funds were provided by a grant from Baxter Inc. in Medina.

Destination Imagination has had a positive impact on more than 1.5 million young people and adults who have benefitted from taking part in its acclaimed Challenge Program. This year, another 100,000 young people have competed in tournaments throughout the U.S. and in 30 countries to earn a spot at the Global Finals competition in May.

The Medina teams will be among more than 16,000 students representing more than 1,400 teams that will advance to Global Finals, which is being sponsored by Disney and will be held at the University of Tennessee.

“The Destination Imagination Program allows students kindergarten through university students to learn and experience the creative process,” said Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination Imagination. “Quantitative reasoning, problem solving, risk taking, collaboration, presentations and thinking on your feet are some of the important skills learned in the program.”

This year, vocal pop group The Exchange will kick off Global Finals with a performance at the Welcome Ceremony on May 20. The band members will also host a vocal skills workshop for participants and perform at the annual 3M Duct Tape Costume Ball during the four-day event.

This year’s Global Finals Innovation Expo will house dozens of hands-on exhibits from NASA, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, National Geographic, Oracle Academy and many other innovative companies. In addition, students and families will have the opportunity transform their surroundings in an all-new Scotch Imagination Treehouse exhibit, sponsored by 3M and Scotch.

Destination Imagination participants and attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in more than 100 skills workshops ranging from 3-D printing to Broadway dance to computer science.

Destination Imagination is an educational program where student teams are immersed in the creative process needed to solve open-ended Challenges, and then present their solutions at regional and state tournaments. If they win at those levels, they may receive an invitation to Global Finals.