Connections of Hope, headed to DI Globals!
Donation protected
This Saturday, April 6, Connections of Hope from Stephens City competed in the Destination Imagination Virginia State Competition. This awesome team placed first in their Instant Challenge (kind of a huge deal), AND placed second overall, to advance to Global Finals in Kansas City May 22-25.
We are so excited and proud, but now we have some work to do for our students. We estimate it will cost $12,000 for the team to participate. This includes DI registration fees, transportation, room, board, and activities for the four day event.
Connections of Hope is comprised of; Ryan Ames, Makenna Blair, Jackie Udy, and Addy Wallin, all students at Robert E. Aylor Middle School in Stephens City, Virginia.
Connections of Hope chose a Service Project challenge to focus on this year. Their project, "Escape Artists", had to accomplish the following list:
-Identify, design, and carry out a project that addresses a need in a real community.
-Create and theatrically present a story that builds suspense about characters who attempt an escape.
-Integrate information about the project through clues that help the characters attempt to escape.
-Integrate information about the future of the project.
-Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
These kids raised $150 for each of three families in their Stephens City community who are facing hard times. They worked with a local church to support these families in a respectful and dignified way. In doing so, they also discussed, learned about, and taught others about homelessness, community, and helping neighbors in a time of need.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, and Connections of Hope, and their families are humbled by your support!
A BIT ABOUT DI:
VISION
Inspire and Equip participants to achieve everything they need in life.
MISSION
To engage participants in project-based challenges that are designed to build confidence and develop extraordinary creativity, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills
DI PRINCIPLES
-Fun learning: Explore STEM/STEAM concepts in a hands-on environment
-Creative problem solving: Learn how to think, not what to think
-Kid powered; team driven: Energize students to own all decisions, creations, and results
-Friendly competition: Motivate teams to reach for the stars, while also rooting for each other
-Global diversity: Encourage and celebrate differences in each other, and differences in ideas
We are so excited and proud, but now we have some work to do for our students. We estimate it will cost $12,000 for the team to participate. This includes DI registration fees, transportation, room, board, and activities for the four day event.
Connections of Hope is comprised of; Ryan Ames, Makenna Blair, Jackie Udy, and Addy Wallin, all students at Robert E. Aylor Middle School in Stephens City, Virginia.
Connections of Hope chose a Service Project challenge to focus on this year. Their project, "Escape Artists", had to accomplish the following list:
-Identify, design, and carry out a project that addresses a need in a real community.
-Create and theatrically present a story that builds suspense about characters who attempt an escape.
-Integrate information about the project through clues that help the characters attempt to escape.
-Integrate information about the future of the project.
-Create and present two Team Choice Elements that show off the team’s interests, skills, areas of strength, and talents.
These kids raised $150 for each of three families in their Stephens City community who are facing hard times. They worked with a local church to support these families in a respectful and dignified way. In doing so, they also discussed, learned about, and taught others about homelessness, community, and helping neighbors in a time of need.
Any donation is greatly appreciated, and Connections of Hope, and their families are humbled by your support!
A BIT ABOUT DI:
VISION
Inspire and Equip participants to achieve everything they need in life.
MISSION
To engage participants in project-based challenges that are designed to build confidence and develop extraordinary creativity, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills
DI PRINCIPLES
-Fun learning: Explore STEM/STEAM concepts in a hands-on environment
-Creative problem solving: Learn how to think, not what to think
-Kid powered; team driven: Energize students to own all decisions, creations, and results
-Friendly competition: Motivate teams to reach for the stars, while also rooting for each other
-Global diversity: Encourage and celebrate differences in each other, and differences in ideas
Fundraising team: Connections of Hope, R.E. Aylor Middle School (4)
Sarah Roper Ames
Organizer
Stephens City, VA
Amber Okruszynski Wallin
Team member
Joan Blair
Team member
Michael Ames
Team member
