Two Destination Imagination teams from Wagner Community School will compete at the State Competition in Pierre on March 30.

The 5th, 6th and 7th grade Destination Imagination teams traveled to Regional Competition at Tri-Valley School on March 2. Two of the three teams were successful in their respective competitions. Each group competed in an Instant Challenge (a 6-8 minute impromptu problem-solving challenge) as well as a prepared Main Challenge of their choice. Both challenges were appraised/judged and the combination of the scores determined the final winner in each level. While the 6th grade team received 3rd place overall, both the 5th and the 7th grade teams received 1st place securing their place at the State Destination Imagination Tournament in Pierre on March 30.

5th Grade Team

The 5th grade winning team consisting of, back row from left: Aryeon Chasing Hawk, Matthew Kokes, Slaten Podzimek and Kortney Ehirsman; front row from left: Shana Lensing, Kalea Kuhlman and Addison Cuka received 1st place in the elementary level Service Learning division called “Escape Artists”. This challenge had students identify, design, and carry out a project that addresses a need in a real community. They chose to develop their challenge around the Wagner Pool Project. The members integrated information about the project through clues that helped their story characters attempt an escape. They wrote their own script and designed their own sets and props.

6th Grade Team

The 6th grade team consisting of, back row from left: Sam Blaha, Jackson Rolston and Presley Slaba and Madison Robertson (front row) received 3rd place in the middle level Engineering division called “Monster Effects”. This challenge asked the team members to design and build a structure that could support weight without breaking. Along with this, they also had to create and present a story in which there is a sudden appearance of the a monster and the surprising results.

7th Grade Team

The 7th grade team consisting of, from left: Kya Kjeldgaard, Madisyn Knebel, Daniel Soukup, Cheyenna Davis, Vince Bechen and Caleb Zephier (not pictured) received 1st place in the middle level Fine Arts division called “Game On”. This challenge encouraged students to create and present a story that integrated the research of a game as well as create and present a game gizmo that causes an action or event to occur. They also had to design and create a container that goes through a transformation.