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Destination Imagination is an international program that challenges children to use creativity and team work to solve problems in engineering, the arts, science and community service, according to the competition’s website.
This year’s state level tournament, held in Binghamton on April 9, honored The Fantastic Fiolians, a fifth-grade team from the Main Street School, and the Imaginators, a fourth-grade team from the school.
The fifth-grade squad won third place in the Get a Clue category while the fourth graders walked away with a second place finish in the Meme category.
“It was awesome to watch them compete,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said. “While they were focused and driven, they were also having so much fun. We are so proud of all that they accomplished in DI this year.”
Chapnick praised the work of the team managers, who “spent countless hours supporting our teams.”
The Fantastic Fiolians team was comprised of Morgan Balkin, Andrew Buchsbaum, Jordyn Eckers, Anya Murphy, Michael Sollecito and Meika Tomita under the guidance of team managers Cristina Fiol and Osa Murphy.
The team created a mystery story that was set in Egypt in 1323 B.C. and featured three suspect characters.
The Imaginators team included Tiernan Cain, Katelyn Jee, Conor Kenny, Riley Khan, Kate McLaughlin and Florence Santander-Lopez under the guidance of team manager Margaret Flynn Kahn.
The team raised $620 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which supports children with cancer.
The teams had previously advanced to the state finals after performing well at the regional tournament in March. There, The Fantastic Fiolians won first place out of 12 teams and the Imaginators took second place.
“We are proud of our students’ performance as they demonstrated tremendous determination, creative thinking and problem-solving skills,” Superintendent of Schools Kristopher Harrison said. “In a short time, our DI program has grown with leaps and bounds through the enthusiasm of our students, parent volunteers and staff."
The Irvington Education Foundation sponsors Main Street School’s Destination Imagination program, now in its second year of competition.
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