Arlington ISD will be on an international stage next month in Knoxville, Tennessee when two sixth grade teams from Butler Elementary School compete against more than 16,000 students from 48 states and 30 countries May 19 - 24 at the Destination Imagination Global Finals.
The teams qualified at the state DI tournament in Dallas April 10, after facing contenders from 15 regions across Texas. In all, fourteen students and their team managers will travel to compete at Global Finals. They represent the only teams from Arlington to advance to Knoxville.
"This is a great accomplishment for these two teams," said Sarah Vaughn, second grade team lead and Destination Imagination Sponsor at Butler Elementary School. "Participating in DI helps build skills that will benefit these students as they become lifelong learners. Not only do they use their creativity and critical thinking skills, but more importantly they learn to work together as a team. This ability to collaborate and problem solve is one of the most important lifelong skills a student can develop."
The Butler teams finished first and second at the Mid-Cities Regionals DI tournament out of 12 other teams - with Piece TEAM winning the Renaissance Award for creativity. At the DI State tournament both teams finished in the top five and #ChixMix was received the highest score in the Instant Challenge category.
The ability to communicate, make a presentation, and solve a problem immediately is also developed through DI. I truly believe that this program prepares these students for real life situations they will encounter as they continue their education and enter the job market.
The Destination Imagination program is in its third year at Butler Elementary. Students are required to develop scripts, create costumes and props without assistance. "I truly believe that this program prepares these students for real life situations they will encounter as they continue their education and enter the job market," said Vaughn.
Students who qualified for DI Global Finals include, Piece TEAm members, Jake Boilla, Gretchen Walsh, Merritt Jay, Aditi Patel, David Frawley, Olivia Smith and Fordo Harris and #Chix Mix members Charlotte Lowen, Anna Lewis, Abby Brown, Victoria Reyna, Jordan Logi, Emily Omana and Sydney Bunnag. Piece TEAm managers are parent volunteers Boilla and Rebecca Jay, #ChixMix is managed by parent volunteer Lisa Lewis.
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