.gif)
A group of seniors from a combination of schools from Colorado and Austin counties took on the Independent Destination Imagination State Tournament in Arlington on April 13 and took first place for their efforts.
Destination Imagination competitions like the Lone Star Finals are a part of the initiative to spark creativity and innovation in students before they graduate high school. It promotes critical thinking and communication and includes challenges and education for subjects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The “Train Wrecks” as they are named, are made up of seniors from Bellville, Columbus, New Ulm and Bleiblerville. The group came together on their own to create a team capable of winning state as they competed while representing for Faith Academy in Bellville and for Legacy Christian School in Brenham.
Elizabeth Rhodes from Columbus, Boddy Carey, Barrett Lubianski and Anna Froehlich from Bellville, Conner Schulz from New Ulm and Kathleen Gonzales made up the team that finished with the quality result at the state competition. The team manager was Tracie Rhodes.
The team competed in the Technical Challenge at the state-level competition, creating a large pinball machine that was required to be included in an action-adventure skit. The challenge promoted creative thinking and problem-solving techniques to incorporate the requirements.
With their victory, they will move on to the Global Finals from May 22 to May 25. The Global Finals are an international competition held in Kansas City where the Train Wrecks will compete against some of the best thinkers in their age group from around the world.
The team expressed thanks to the business who have helped support their season to this point: Ant Street Inn, Birdies deli & co, Spirit Ts, and Zegen Farms.
The team received their medals after taking first place in the competition. Pictured from left are Elizabeth Rhodes, Anna Froehlich, Conner Schulz, Kathleen Gonzales, Boddy Carey and Barrett Lubianski.
