DI Regionals

Well its that time of year again! Destination Imagination! 

The time some people dread, and some people get excited for. After getting first in regionals last year, and second in provincials, I was excited to go into this year with the goal to win both tournaments! After a very successful regional performance, I can proudly say… We got first!! I am so proud of the hard work that my team put into this project! We wouldn’t be here without countless hours we spent working on our solution. Lets start at the beginning. 

When we found out our teams this year I could tell it was going to be good! Everyone seemed excited about our challenge and working together. We got straight into learning about each other to help us brainstorm our team choice elements. We then started working on the challenge. 

This year I was in the scientific challenge and the theme was worlds beyond. We were tasked to create a story where one character on a planet other than earth thinks they are alone, but discovers they are not. When our group started reading the challenge everyone started brainstorming. And I think this was one of the most challenging parts. Everyone in my group was used to being a leader and having control, including me. So when everyone was suggesting different ideas it was hard for everyone to let go and listen. As a group we grew and learned to accept everyone’s Ideas and eventually we compromised on our final solution. I think of all the problems to have in a group project, everyone caring and wanting the best for the group is one of the best you could have. 

Once we had our main theme, which is a play on colonization, we just kept brainstorming. It was so fun to be so creative and just brainstorm so many ideas! After having a good idea of what we were thinking with our story we paired some things down and added in more details. By our second or third meeting we were already working on our script. Everything was coming together so well! We then started building! 

Right before the tournament we got into crunch mode! We didn’t have very many things made so we had to work extra hard to memorize lines, get all the backdrops made and finish making the props. Painting the backdrops was hard because we painted on a sheet so we could easily flip the backdrops on a coat rack. Through trial and error and never giving up we found that the paint had to almost be water colour so the paint didn’t seep into the fabric. The backgrounds turned out amazing and flipping them on the coat rack was so smart! It enhanced the quality and effectiveness of our presentation, and the judges loved it! 

The way our group worked together and pulled through to create an amazing performance was amazing! Our first time rehearsing all together was on the day of which naturally kept me up worrying all Friday night. But luckily there was nothing to worry about! Everyone had their lines memorized and after practicing a few times you never would have known it was the first day we were rehearsing. Our best time going through the performance was when we performed it to the Judges. That is always a great feeling! Watch the full performance below!

For as long as I can remember I have always been a leader. Whether that is in a classroom or in a sport. In group projects I have always been the one who takes charge, and leads in the group. Since grade 8 I have been working on approaching group projects in a less controlling way. Don’t get me wrong I am still a leader and I do take charge in group projects, but I do it in a more kind, respectful, and mature way. If I’m being honest I don’t think there has been a project that I have just sat back on and let someone else take charge. This DI might be the only time. But before you think of me as a terrible student, let me explain. Everyone in my group was used to having control. They were all like me and wanted everything done their way. I don’t think anyone gave up control, I think we all worked together and took control of separate tasks. This is how we stayed on track and worked together so efficiently. Each person was assigned a specific role or task. And with my group it was so easy to trust that everyone would so their part. I think it was important for me to let go of control a little bit for this project because I wont always get to be in control. I wont be the boss of everyone and get to tell everyone what to do, so it was nice to know that I am able to let go a little but. 

This DI was such a fun experience and I and so proud of my group! We did so well and I’m so proud of our first place! For now we will continue to improve out solution and work on out instant challenge skills. I cant wait to see what provincials has in store for us! Lets hope I can accomplish my goal! 

Syddy giddy out ✌️