Mariemont Team is Headed to the World Stage

Destination Imagination (DI) is a long-held extracurricular tradition in Mariemont Schools. DI is a competition that requires teams to choose from a list of challenges, spend months preparing for that challenge, and do it all with no adult interference. They also perform an Instant Challenge where they can show off their creative problem solving skills as they work together and “think on their feet”. In a very short time frame, they are asked to solve a task, create a performance or a combination of both.

 

This year, the “Cookie MonStars” team finished first at the State competition to earn a slot at the Global Destination Imagination competition in Kansas City this May.

 

The Cookie MonStars is made up of seven 8th graders from Mariemont Junior High School including Abby, Lucy, Lincoln, Beckett, Lily, Jaxx and Lillah. This is the 6th year the team has competed together. In those 6 years, the team has qualified for State competition 5 times, but this marks their first time making a trip to Globals.

 

They’ve worked since September on building components of the Technical Challenge that included a culvert tunnel, a broken bridge, two cars, and a hill. Team members learned to make balloon animals, build sets and prop pieces, and play car chase music on a saxophone as part of their performance.

 

While they were at State, the Cookie MonStars also received the prestigious Renaissance Award, given to one team that demonstrates outstanding skill in design, engineering, execution or performance. The Cookie MonStars were recognized for their comedic timing, unique custom designs and the art of balloon making.

 

The trip to Globals is expensive ($5,500 for registration fee alone), and the team is working hard to raise funds to make it possible for them to go to Kansas City in May.