Destination Imagination 2025 Regionals

Destination Imagination 2025 Regionals was one for the books. Now, last year’s DI left me a little bit scared for this year, not knowing what would unfold in the next 2 months, but I was very happy with the results. I can’t reveal much, as we do have Provincials coming up on April 12th, but I can bring you through the creative process that led us, The Marine Team, to first place. 

Our team started our journey by agreeing on 5 goals as a part of our team contract. Communication was our top priority, as our main goal was to make sure that everyone was on the same page, so we set up a structured team schedule that clearly outlined roles and responsibilities. This helped us stay on the same page, avoid confusion, and make necessary changes to our process as we progressed.

With our foundation set, we entered the ideation phase. We explored countless ideas before deciding on a unique approach that included mermaids to add a fantasy twist while still conveying the moral lesson of our story. We experimented with different versions of the storyline, ensuring that our narrative was both engaging and meaningful. Each team member brought their creativity to the table, and together, we shaped a story that we were all excited to bring to life.

Collaboration was at the heart of our project. Every team member contributed their ideas, and we ensured that every voice was heard before making any final decisions. Our team’s creativity was one of our greatest strengths, and we worked together to transform our ideas into reality. Whether it was refining the script, designing costumes, crafting props, or choreographing dance moves, we all played an active role in making our vision come alive. 

As our project took shape, we encountered challenges, particularly with staging our scenes and constructing our set. One major hurdle was figuring out how to make our cardboard set pieces turn properly. To tackle this, we stayed in constant communication, brainstorming solutions together. Our set and costumes took significant effort, as most of our materials were handmade rather than store-bought, requiring extra time and energy. However, our dedication to the creative process helped us push through these obstacles.

At the beginning of our journey, some of us struggled to connect because we weren’t in the groups we originally wanted. However, we put aside our differences and focused on working together. As our script and story developed, so did our bond as a team. By the end, we had grown comfortable with one another and found joy in our collaboration. We each stepped outside of our comfort zones—whether by writing scripts, building props, painting, dancing, or acting. Despite the challenges, we persevered and saw our vision through to completion. The effort and dedication of each team member made this journey truly rewarding.

This journey through Destination Imagination taught us valuable lessons in teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. From recognizing and understanding the challenge to collaborating, problem-solving, and celebrating our accomplishments, we’ve grown not just as individuals but as a cohesive team. Last year, my team’s downfall was communicating clearly, and this year’s group has made me realize that it’s a vital part of any project, and it’s become a skill that I’m most proud of. The memories and skills we’ve gained will stay with us long after this experience, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved together. Although we placed first this time, we still have we still have more obstacles ahead as we continue into Provincials, but we hope to sweep the category again. 

mPOL 2025!

“Thank you for coming to my presentation of learning. I am the expert on my own learning. I am also responsible and accountable for my own learning. You can expect me to give an honest evaluation of my progress. We will discuss my strengths and opportunities for growth. Thank you in advance for listening and for offering feedback that I can use to improve as a learner.”

Driving Question: How can I push myself out of my comfort zone to take more risks and achieve more depth in my learning?

These past 6 months have been a transitional phase in my identity as a student and learner. The jump between grade 9 & 10 is not an easy one, and it made me have to rethink what my strengths were, and adapt them to fit the new grades curriculum. It wasn’t easy, but having my Vision, Mission and Values helped me keep on track, and bring all that I had to my work. So for my mPOL this year, I want to reflect on each goal I set, and see if I’ve accomplished it, or if it’s something I should continue to strive towards accomplishing.

My first success behaviour/goal is agency. Agency is the behaviour I have always been most successful at. I put it on my VMV as a reminder to keep working on it, but I think I have fully put it in place in my everyday life as a student and teenager. It has helped me with numerous projects, like my Komagata Maru memorial to this years DI performance. From handing in work on time, to taking responsibility for my own learning and actions, to setting realistic goals, agency has helped me adapt to the whirlwinds of grade 10, and I will continue to use it as I go into grade 11.

My second success behavior, conduct, ethics, and integrity, has been instrumental in shaping my approach to my studies and interactions with others. Upholding strong ethical standards has allowed me to navigate the complexities of high school with a sense of purpose and accountability. By consistently prioritizing honesty and respect in my work, and take pride in creating something original and true to me. This commitment to integrity keeps me aligned with my Vision, Mission, and Values, ensuring that I remain true to myself and my aspirations. This is evident in my projects over these past months, such as my zine on the evolution of human rights, it has helped me write pieces that reflect my own voice, while also enhanced my understanding of the purpose of ethics and integrity. As I reflect on my journey, I recognize that maintaining this standard will be crucial for my continued growth and success in the future.

My last success behaviour, self regulation, is the goal I continue to work towards. I have gotten farther in it than where I was in grade 8, but I’m still striving for perfection. While I continue to set healthy boundaries between academic work and my personal life, I must also accept that it’s okay to have to take extra time on some things in order to maintain my goals and not cause emmense stress. Identifying sources of stress is also a work in progress, but hopefully by the end of my time at Seycove, I’ll have the skill of self regulation to keep me on track and less stressed as I enter university.

To push myself out of my comfort zone and take more risks in my learning, I can start by actively seeking opportunities that challenge my current skill set, such as finding more extracurricular activities that pique my interest. Embracing a growth mindset will allow me to view failures as valuable learning experiences, motivating me to take bigger risks without the fear of negative outcomes. Additionally, I can cultivate deeper connections with peers and mentors who inspire me to step outside my familiar routines and explore new perspectives. Finally, setting specific, measurable goals related to my learning can help me track my progress and celebrate milestones, reinforcing my commitment to continuous growth and exploration.