For junior Ben Martin and fifth-graders Easton Ruegger and Cora Kohls, they do not have to look far for motivation as the Sevastopol Destination Imagination teams prepare for their return to the Global Finals Tournament in Kansas City. 

Destination Imagination allows students to complete challenges based on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The three teams that qualified for the Global Finals tournament have taken over classrooms at St. Peter and Paul Parish in Institute to work on their elaborate props and run through their presentations, which will eventually all be transported to Missouri for the competition. In the hallway outside the classroom doors is a banner recognizing the school’s past success at the competition, including a Global championship in 2023. Martin, Ruegger, and Kohls feel the pressure of extending the school’s DI dynasty, but it does not exceed the pleasure of working with their friends on their performances.

The DI Global Finals Tournament begins on May 23rd at 8 a.m. and concludes on May 25th at noon. A closing celebration at Kansas City’s Municipal Arena occurs at 4 p.m. on May 25th. There is much work to do before the three teams make the journey southwest, including fundraising for the trip. Sevastopol Destination Imagination will host a special showcase event on May 4th beginning at 11 a.m., featuring a pancake breakfast, a silent auction, raffles, and a bake sale before the kids perform at 1 p.m.