Barberton Destination Imagination celebrates regional tourney success

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY HOLLY STEINMAN
This team of third and fourth graders is among Barberton students heading to the state Destination Imagination competition. They chose to help a pet rescue in August, Georgia that was affected by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. They exceeded their goal of $800 by collecting $1004, plus 1,400 pounds of dog and cat food and supplies.

By HOLLY STEINMAN
We are thrilled to share the results of our incredible Destination Imagination Regional Tournament, held on March 1st at Beachwood High School! This event brought together 90 teams from Eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania, all showcasing their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. We are so proud of our teams for their outstanding performances!

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS:
* First Place and going on to the State Competition- Elementary Level Service Learning: It’s Raining Cats and Dogs Team members: Adelyn Kriston, Delilah Rowinsky, Evelyn Dantz, Oliver Shaefer, Penelope Cucuz, Taelynn Davis. Coach: Holly Steinman. This amazing team of 3rd and 4th Graders started out their project this year by choosing to help a pet rescue in August, Georgia that was affected by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. They exceeded their goal of $800 by collecting $1004, plus 1400 lbs. of dog and cat food and supplies! Part of the team even made the trip down there to deliver their donation in person and even got to meet some of the pets! Their 8-minute self-made skit was the story of someone who made a critical decision to stay or evacuate during the hurricane! The kids really loved this challenge and helping the pet rescue! Thank you to everyone at Barberton Primary and Barberton Intermediate Schools who helped with their fundraising and collections! Also a big thank you to Dave Moore’s State Farm, Rocks R Us, Pet Supplies Plus in Norton Plaza, Main Street Grille in Wadsworth, and Pet Supplies Plus on Arlington Ridge! We couldn’t have done it without you!
* First Place and going on to States – Middle Level Service Learning: Creative Cheese Platypi Team members: Charles Tucker, John Mata, Kevin Landals, Lilly Allen, Perrin Huntsman. Coaches are Crystal & Doyle Allen and Jessica Huntsman. The Creative Cheese Platypi worked on a service learning project where they assisted the Greater Ohio Bleeding Disorder Foundation raise money and awareness of bleeding disorders. They learned a lot and found a deeper passion for helping others. Their creative & witty presentation in the Service Learning challenge kept the judges laughing.
* Fifth Place – Elementary Level Fine Arts: We Crunch on McD’s at Midnight. Team Members: Catherine Cunningham, Holly Hobday, Alivia Phillips, and Lucas Weisen. Coach: Treasure Kriston. They took on the fine arts challenge “Less is More” where they explored minimalism. This fifth grade team competed as one of eight teams in their elementary division and finished fifth. They used sound effects and lights to enhance their play which focused on friendship through trials at a dance competition.
* Third Place and going on to States – Middle Level Improv: Just the Tony’s Team members: Rylee Newbrough, Donovan Robinson, Joel Cunningham, Aurora Ludwig. Coach: Abby Robinson. To prepare for competition, they had to research 10 destinations and 10 modes of transportation. The judges handed them one person who was seeking something and randomly chose two of their destinations, and one mode of transportation. The team then had only 2 minutes to make a 5-minute skit including all of those things. Oh, and then the judges threw in a detour part way through the skit! Their quick thinking, creativity, and teamwork truly shined. Huge congrats to this amazing team for their hard work and talent!
* First Place and going on to States – Middle Level Scientific and Renaissance Award for extraordinary design: Einstein’s Glittery Sugar Cubes Bentley Dantz, Eleanore Steidl, Gavyn Dantz, James Clark, Kathleen Clark, Layne Shaefer, Tavin Rowinsky. Coaches: Accalia Rowinsky and Robyn Shaeffer. Big congratulations to “Einstein’s Glittery Sugar Cubes” who rocked the regionals tournament and took home first place in the Scientific Challenge. The team also won a Renaissance Award for their ability to complete a circuit for their technobabble depicter and creatively include it in their skit.
* First Place and going on to States – Senior Level Scientific: Purple Pickles Team members: Phoenix Gauer, Haley Lorenzo, Zoey Lorenzo, Jade Robinson, Vivian Velo. Coach: Andrea Tomer and Sheila Velo. Their innovative and creative approach to exploring phenomena on Uranus impressed the judges, and they showcased incredible teamwork and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they rocked the Instant Challenge, earning an impressive raw score! Way to go, Purple Pickles!
* Non-Competitive Exhibitions – Rising Stars Teams (Kindergarten through 2nd Grade):
The Silly Snowflakes put on a SPARKLING performance at DI Regionals. They learned about the water cycle and how snow is formed. Their skit consisted of teaching a new student about snow and all the fun activities that can happen during a winter wonderland at recess. Congratulations Snow Ludwig, Aramis Garrett, Gracelynn Cross, Jaxson Clemetson, Sarah Goodwin, Mia Jodon, and Abrielle Sharier on a wonderful job well done. Coaches: Star Ludwig
* The Rising Stars challenge is called Weather Together. Our team Rainbow Stars consists of team members Paisley Bates, Paislee Clemetson, Finley Huntsman, Ryan Kriston, Belle Sharier, and Zack Wiesen. Coach: Jessica Huntsman. The team was tasked with selecting a weather event and creating a skit that included a teacher and at least one character who had not experienced their chosen weather. The Rainbow Stars chose to make their skit about rainbows. They worked together to create scenery, costumes, and props to demonstrate experiencing a rainbow. They worked hard, had fun and created a wonderful performance.
On to the State Tournament!
Mark your calendars! Five of our teams will advance to the State Tournament on March 29th at Barberton High School. Let’s continue to cheer them on as they prepare to showcase their incredible talents once again!
Thank you to all the students, coaches, and supporters who made this tournament a huge success. We look forward to an exciting journey ahead!
Go Barberton Destination Imagination Teams!
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HOLLY STEINMAN