Destination Imagination teams win state, look to globals

MADISON – Six Destination Imagination or DI teams in Madison excelled as global finalists in the DI Alabama State Tournament.

Discovery Middle School hosted the state meet on April 6.

“I am proud to announce that six of our seven Bob Jones High School and Discovery teams won first-place honors and bids for Global Finals 2019 on May 21-26 in Kansas City, Mo.,” Robin Dauma said.

Dauma is North Alabama Regional DI Director. She sponsors DI at Bob Jones and Discovery and teaches English at Bob Jones.

“I could not be more proud of all seven teams and am excited to lead my 18th trip to Global Finals,” Dauma said.

Bob Jones’ Fine Arts Team was a state finalist by taking third place. Members are Alex Cockrell, Alec Dauma, Philip Hotz, Vaughn Lemond and Clayton Sanders. “I’m a tad bit brokenhearted that the Fine Arts team didn’t win in the most competitive category of the day, Secondary Fine Arts,” Dauma said.

Six Madison teams won first-place state championships and berths to Global Finals:

* Bob Jones Scientific — Avery Adams, Lael Anderson, Emilee Lamps, Jenny Shaver and Maddie Shrode.

* Bob Jones Service Learning — Emma Bordelon, Aaliyah Coe, Brooke Heath, Jacqueline Jory, Rebecca Meyer and Julie Pimmel.

* Bob Jones Improv — Caeden Anderson, Jake Munson, Rishish Narahari, Cooper Sawyer, Trevor Peck and Grant Pethel.

* Discovery Technical — Abigail Bennett, Patrick Bruce, Alex Myers and Tom Stephens.

* Discovery Fine Arts — Rebecca Coffey, Drew Crocker, Ben Crouse, Harley Dauma, Anahita Pour-Biazar and Faith Williams.

* Discovery Service Learning — Lauren Bruce, Eva Candia, Sarah Ewing, Kaitlyn Hathaway, Ashlyn Shipley and Kathleen Stephens.

“I’m especially proud of Discovery’s Fine Arts and Technical teams, who moved up from second place at regionals, improving their scores enough to beat not only their regional competitors but also new teams from the central region (Birmingham),” Robin Dauma said.

Columbia and Rainbow elementary schools also had state winners but are not going to Global Finals.

“The cost to attend Global Finals has increased substantially due to a new format and location,” Dauma said. DI teams plan several fundraisers:

* April 20, Bob Jones — Rummage sale and berry plant sale, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; car wash, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Ongoing until May 4, Belk, Bridge Street Town Centre — Belk Charity Sale tickets, $5 each.

* May 4, Applebee’s Grill and Bar, 302 Hughes Road — Pancake Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

* Ongoing until mid-May, Little Caesar’s, 1593 Hughes Road — Pizza kit sale.

* Ongoing until May 31 — Sponsorship donations accepted from local businesses, organizations and individuals.

* Online Auction — Exact dates to be announced in late April/early May.