MI Destination Imagination Teams Shine at Global Finals

Mercer Island, WA, June 5, 2024 - Twelve Mercer Island Destination Imagination teams recently participated in the Global Finals tournament in Kansas City, Missouri and performed extremely well. Their team presentations were all outstanding and included excellent technical elements that embrace STEM learning and put these ideas into practice. This year’s three day-tournament included more than 650 teams from all over the world. Some countries represented included China, Korea, Mexico, Qatar, Poland, and Ukraine. 

The highest honor for our teams went to Heroic Villains which won second place for the senior high scientific challenge. Three teams just missed the podium earning 4th place: Drama Dragons (elementary scientific), The Crazed Monkeys (elementary engineering), and Diet MTN Dew (senior level service learning). Other teams in the ‘top 10’ placement include The Mean Green Beans (5^th senior level scientific) and Artificially Intelligent (7^th senior level fine arts). Counter Theory was 11th place in senior level service learning, Bīngqílín earned 11th in middle school engineering, DI Maniacs took home 12th place for elementary technical, Gumball Gang was awarded 13th place for middle school fine arts, Dazzling Dragonfruits was 16th in middle school fine arts, and Queens: Don’t Go Bonkers took home 21st place for their fine arts presentation. 

Read about MISD teams performed at Regional and State Competitions prior to the Global Finals. 

Many of these teams are led by parent volunteers who dedicate themselves to supporting the students as they reach for the top. Our incredible parent volunteers include: Tiffin Goodman, Melinda Reimer, Susan Kim, Mei Ying, Suzanne Zahr, Subramanian Muralidhar, Darren Gold, and Nate Dudley. Staff Team Managers include Julie Langley, Elizabeth Loiselle, and David Baxter. David also acts as program coordinator. Kirsten Bourke is the coordinator assistant for the teams, and Nuria Lencina is the fantastic administrative assistant who supports the program with accounting and countless other tasks. 

Congratulations to all the teams on their hard work and achievements!