The 5th Grade Destination Imagination 2024 Globals

UPDATE 4/17/24

Thank you for donating to this. We didnt reach our goal and today is the day to decide to move forward or not and we have decided that we are not moving forward. All collected funds will be put into an account for next year’s State Competitions. We will also use some of the funds to throw these kids a celebration. I will happily refund any donations through venmo if that is something you would like. Most of the donations were from facebook friends so please send me a message through Facebook and I will make it happen. Thank you again for your contributions. I am going to leave the gofundme up for a while so that everybody gets a chance to see this.

UPDATE 4/8/24

We are still working on getting donations!! Thank you everybody who has donated so far. Our next deadline is April 17th. We need to raise 4000$ to put down a deposit on our 2 teams. At that time we will reassess. Each of our team members were given a donation letter that will help gather funds outside of gofundme. If we aren’t able to raise the full amount of needed money, all money raised this year will be used to enter next year’s competition. Thank you for your help and consideration!! Please feel free to share our gofundme link with anyone and everyone.

UPDATE 3/29/24

Good news!! Our second Improvisation team, that was put on a waitlist, got accepted in the Global competition as well!!! We have quite the task before us!! Team Managers, Ellen and myself, will be working hard to get these kids to the competition!! Thank you everybody who has donated so far!!

Hello! My name is Jared Branden and I have had the honor of being team manager of my daughters 5th grade Destination Imagination team. I have some experience doing Improvisation in my past, so when Mrs Payne was asking for volunteers to help with the Destination Imagination program, I offered my help. Another volunteer signed up to team manage as well and we started rehearsals. The kids practiced in the classroom and after school. We attended regionals and our teams placed 1st and 2nd and they were invited to compete at the state competition. A few weeks later the 2 teams competed at state and placed 2nd and 3rd. It was unbelievable! Unfortunately only the top 2 teams get asked to go to the Global competition in Kansas City MO. Now we have until May 24 to raise 12,000 dollars which will cover tournament fees, airplane tickets, hotel, and food for 7 5th graders and 2 adults. Please help these kids!

UPDATE 3/29/24

We now have 14 kids competing and 3 adult Team Managers.

Here is a note from Mrs Payne, their teacher:

I am thrilled to share the fantastic news that fourteen of the fifth-grade Odyssey students from Mrs. Payne’s class have not only participated in but soared at the state Destination Imagination contest! Notwithstanding that this is their first time entering the competition, the teams secured second and third place at the state level! One of our teams has also clinched a spot for the global competition in Kansas City, MO, at the end of May! This achievement is a testament to their extraordinary dedication, creativity, and problem-solving prowess.

 

Destination Imagination is quite possibly the world’s largest creativity and problem-solving organization. Participation in this program has transformed our students' learning experience, blending STEM with the arts and structured problem solving. The creative process embedded in this program has not only empowered our students but also equipped them with invaluable life skills essential for their future endeavors.

 

Witnessing our students' enthusiasm and determination throughout this journey has been nothing short of inspiring. They have showcased not only their academic skills but also their resilience, teamwork, and innovative thinking. However, to fully embrace this incredible opportunity on the global stage, we require additional funding to cover travel and other participation expenses. We have parents working on fundraising and want to get the word out. Your unwavering support for programs like Destination Imagination plays a pivotal role in shaping our students' success. I am immensely proud of these students' achievements, and I am confident that with your and our community’s continued support, they will shine even brighter on the global stage.

 

Thank you for championing our students' dreams and for considering ways to support our team's participation in the global competition.