West Central Destination Imagination

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West Central students competed in STEAM-based challenges that spotlight creativity, innovation, teamwork and collaboration skills at the Southeast Area Destination Imagination Regional tournament held at Tri-Valley school on Saturday, March 4th. Seven West Central teams placed in the top three of their challenge division with six teams moving on and competing at state level in Pierre on Saturday, March 25th.

In the elementary, two West Central Teams placed in the top two out of three teams in the Technical Challenge “Show and Tech”. The First place team was the DI Geek Busters. Team members include Matthew Ruda, Mara Schultz, Lilly Goehring, Andie Ingalls, Kalista Uehling, Josh Sosa, and Benjamin DeBerg. Team manager is Brenda Sosa. The second place team was the Wild Creators. Team members include Angelica Tindall, Sway Waltner, Cierra Woslager, Sydney Neel, Mason Tindall, Mason Travis, and Madilyn Dinges. Team manager is Jessica Tindall. The DI Geek Busters and Wild Creators will be advancing to the State Tournament in Pierre. In the Improvisational Challenge “3-Peat”, the DI Maniacs placed third out of four participating teams. Team members include Josh Sosa, Spencer Rieff, and Zane Meyer. Team manager is Brenda Sosa.

Two West Central Elementary teams participated as Early Learners in the Rising Stars division. This non-competitive division of DI allows for students 2nd grade and younger to gain experiences with the creative process and to learn to collaborate and problem solve with a small team of two to seven students. West Central’s “Team MAZ” members include Avery Tindall, Makayla Travis, Eva Gerlach, Teera Waltner, Zoey Cosman, Acydia Christiansen, and Mackenzie Neel, managed by Jessica Tindall. West Central’s “American Thinkers” members include Lane Morgan, Kaiden Huebner, Gabe Sosa, Kaylie Schultz, and Bailey Stallman, managed by Brenda Sosa.

At the middle level, two West Central teams placed in first and second and will be advancing to the State Tournament in Pierre. In the Technical Challenge “Show and Tech”, the West Central DIY team placed second. Team members include Jasmyn Fonder, Abigail Fraas, Noah Pressler, Zander Canfield, and Josephine Dinges. Team manager is LeAnn Fraas. In the Engineering Challenge “In It Together”, the West Central team Magnificent Brotherhood of Seven placed first. Team members include Levi Pressler, Rylan Haneke, Griffin Stallman, Cody Siemonsma, Gavin Gerlach, Wyatt Nielsen, and James Meyer. Team manager is Angela Nielsen.

At the Secondary level, two West Central teams placed first and will be advancing to the State Tournament in Pierre. In the Fine Arts Challenge “Vanished”, the West Central team Vert Couleur Genialite placed first and will be advancing to State Tournament. Team members include Maddi Tulin, Abbey Nielsen, Julia Wendell, Kenzie Meister, Allie Kunkel, and Alex Deelstra. Team manager is Vicki Meister. In the Scientific Challenge “Top Secret”, the West Central team The 80’s Gang placed first and will be advancing to State Tournament. Team members include Brian Gray, Scott Howard, Abbey Witt, Emma Hagel, Kaitlyn Schaunaman, and Trinity Miller. Team manager is Amanda Witt.​

The South Dakota Destination Imagination Program succeeds because of the selfless efforts of dedicated managers across the state. They are an essential part of every team. During the SE Regional Tournament, Brenda Sosa was awarded the “Mark Bakke Dedicated DI Manager” Award for her dedication to Destination Imagination. Mark Bakke was a dedicated DI manager from Watertown who suddenly passed away in February 2004 and this award is given in his memory.