Veterans Memorial High School team wins global title at Destination Imagination Finals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Veterans Memorial High School DI Quick Thinkers captured first place at the Destination Imagination Global Finals, earning top honors in both the Instant Challenge and their Team Challenge, event organizers announced.
Competing May 22-23, the Mission CISD team posted the highest score in the Instant Challenge, a fast paced test of creativity, collaboration and problem solving under strict time limits. They also placed first overall in “Casting Shadows,” an improvisational Team Challenge that tasks students with developing characters, plotlines and staging in real time while integrating specific thematic elements and technical constraints.
Team members are Victoria Solis, Danica Villarreal, Emmarae De Leon, Renata Garcia, Daniel Yanez, Vincent Reyes and Noah Garza. Mabeline Rodriguez, Reading Interventionist at VMHS is their Team Manager. Team Managers act as mentors or coaches who guide the team through the creative process.
Destination Imagination is an international educational program and competition in which student teams tackle open ended challenges in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, according to their website. The competition features two main components: the yearlong Team Challenge, where students design and present original solutions in categories such as engineering, scientific inquiry, fine arts and improvisation; and the onsite Instant Challenge, which assesses teams’ ability to think critically, communicate and innovate on the spot. Global Finals bring together top teams from around the world for head-to-head judging.
The DI Quick Thinkers’ performance in Kansas City secured the top global ranking in their division and marks a global level achievement for Veterans Memorial High School and Mission CISD.
District officials said the results reflect months of preparation, with students refining teamwork, time management and creative problem-solving skills central to the program’s mission. The team’s win adds to Destination Imagination’s emphasis on student led solutions, where adults may guide but students make all substantive decisions and execute the work.
Global Finals judges evaluate teams on creativity, technical merit, storytelling and teamwork, with cumulative scores determining overall placement. By leading the Instant Challenge and finishing first in Casting Shadows Improv, the DI Quick Thinkers outpaced peer programs from across the U.S. and abroad.
The victory will be recognized at upcoming district events, according to school officials.
