Five eighth-graders from Mancos Middle School never dreamed they would beat out 21 teams at a state competition last month, but now they're preparing for the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn.
"I am so excited," said Sarah Skinner, an eighth-grader. "But it's going to be hard - we have to compete against 30 other countries and 48 other states."
On April 25, team Betho Betho soared to second place at the Destination Imagination state championships, qualifying them for the global competition.
Destination Imagination is an international, nonprofit, volunteer-led, project-based program that teaches student innovation, creativity and independence through problem solving and teamwork.
The main part of Destination Imagination is the challenge program, in which students must solve a problem and meet criteria in a unique way.
The solution presented by team Betho Betho has Skinner, Kensey Switzer, Morgan Rose, Ericka Peacock and Taeylor Samora presenting a skit that is guaranteed to make you laugh.
"We really tried to be funny," said Samora.
"I mean, you have to sit and watch us for 8 minutes, if you don't laugh, what's the point?" Skinner said.
In addition to earning a top score at the state competition, Betho Betho won the Renaissance award at the state level and a regional level for their humor.
The girls will present their skit at the Destination Imagination Show and Silent Auction on Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Mancos Performance Center. Tickets for the event are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
The event is a fundraiser to help get the team to the Global Finals, which is expected to cost $10,000.
The team had a yard sale over last weekend.
"We need all hands on deck," said Destination Imagination Coach and Mancos art teacher Kim Russell.
The students have just a few weeks to raise enough money for the global competition, which will be May 20-24.
Russell, who has been coaching Destination Imagination for five years, said this team may do well.
"The judges were blown away," Russell said. "I think they have a chance to do well."
Russell has never taken a team to global finals before. It isn't easy to get there, she said.
The team impressed judges with a skit about a young girl who stumbles upon a home filled with old ladies. Unfortunately, the girl is terrified of old ladies and must overcome here fear.
"She's terrified of old people, and she gets stranded at this house with old people," Skinner said.
The girls also had to incorporate fairy tales in the skit.
"You get to use your brain to solve problems and you get to use a drill and a saw," Samora said.
Everything presented in the skit, including the backdrop, was constructed by the team.
"You can get disqualified if an adult helps you, even a little bit," Skinner said.
Switzer said she enjoys Destination Imagination because it teaches you to work together.
"Teamwork is important," Switzer said.
Also making an appearance during the skit will be Captain Leonard Archerbald Meawchhchvich, a 60-year-old cat that lives with the old ladies. This unique creation was pieced together out of paper mache and cat hair from a team member's shedding cat.
Russell is hoping the judges in Tennessee like to laugh and hopes the girls can raise enough money to get there.
"They still need thousands," Russell said.
The event on Saturday will also feature an enchilada dinner and a silent auction.
Those who wish to get more information about the event or to donate auction items are asked to contact Kim Russell at 928-925-9344 or [email protected].
