Manager Steve Welch helps his DI team of SRE 4th graders at the tournament.

Steiner Ranch Elementary’s 3rd grade Destination Imagination team.

5th grade Destination Imagination team from Steiner Ranch Elementary.

The 4th grade Destination Imagination team from Steiner Ranch Elementary. One member had to leave early so they FaceTimed him during the awards ceremony.

By LYNETTE HAALAND
Four Points News

Steiner Ranch Elementary had three Destination Imagination teams compete in the DI State Tournament in Lubbock, Tex. earlier this month, and all three of teams qualified to advance to the DI Global Finals in May in Knoxville, Tenn.

“They will be flying to the DI Global Finals at the end of May to compete against teams from over 15 different countries,” said Jasmine DeFoore, parent volunteer. “This is an incredible accomplishment and unprecedented to have three teams from the same school going to the Global Finals.”

Vandegrift, Canyon Ridge MS and Four Points MS also competed at the state level. Several local teams are advancing and all will represent Texas at globals.
These teams have been meeting since October, and they have put in thousands of hours into their solutions.

“The time they have spent sharpening the saw, thinking win-win, beginning with the end in mind, and synergizing together have paid off in all of these medals and trophies,” DeFoore said.

3rd grade team:
• 2nd place at state – Engineering Challenge
• Managers: Cindy and Brian Reynolds
• Members: Henry Defoore, Rachel Hill, Jaden Judd, Chloe Liu, Derek Reynolds, Emily Wolkind

4th grade team:
• 3rd place at state – Engineering Challenge
• 1st place at state – Instant Challenge
• Manager: Steve Welch
• Members: Aidan Kemp, Rowan Haney, Brandy Eaton, Izzey Riley, Elena Welch

5th grade team:
• 2nd place at state – Scientific Challenge
• 1st place at state – Instant Challenge
• Managers: Jake and Janae Leffler
• Members: Samu Jayaprakash, Rachel Reynolds, Haley Judd, Tate Stephens, Jeffery Gunawan, and Xavier Leffler