Destination Imagination teams advance to Global Finals

On March 29, 2025, the Lone Star Finals Destination Imagination tournament took place at the University of Texas in Arlington Maverick Stadium. The event gathered over 600 teams from across the state, each showcasing their creative problem-solving abilities through a series of challenging and dynamic STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) tasks. Among the participants were six exceptional student teams from Midlothian Independent School District (MISD), who proudly represented their schools by presenting innovative solutions to six unique and thought-provoking challenges.

MISD had a strong presence at the tournament, with six teams competing at various grade levels, including elementary, middle, and high school students. This was a testament to the district's commitment to fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students. Throughout the event, the teams demonstrated their ability to think outside the box, combining technical skills with artistic expression to develop solutions that were both practical and imaginative.

The competition was fierce, but MISD students performed admirably, with every single team finishing in the top 10 in their respective categories. Their hard work, determination, and teamwork paid off, as four of the teams advanced to the next stage of competition: the Global Finals, which will be held in May in Kansas City, Missouri. This marks a significant achievement for the district, as these students will have the opportunity to compete on an international stage, representing Midlothian ISD among the best and brightest from around the globe.

The Global Finals will bring together thousands of students from all over the world, and for MISD's teams, it is a chance to further refine their skills and showcase their talents in front of an audience of peers and judges from across the United States and 15 other countries. The excitement and pride of representing the district will undoubtedly drive the teams to continue pushing boundaries and pursuing excellence in the upcoming competition.

The success of these teams at the Lone Star Finals highlights not only the talent of the students but also the dedication of their teachers, mentors, and families who have supported them throughout their journey. As they prepare for the Global Finals, the MISD teams are ready to take on new challenges, inspire others with their ingenuity, and demonstrate the power of STEAM education in shaping the future.

Teams advancing to Global Finals

DI Maxion, LaRue Miller Elementary, 6th Place Service Learning
Team Members: Brock Behan, Jackson Everhart, Zac Valverde Ella Lamm, Zoe Valverde, Luke Baldwin
Team Managers: Kristen Behan, Laura Valverde

 

Rollerblading Wizards, Walnut Grove Middle School, 6th Place Engineering Challenge
Team Members: Wyatt Stillwell, Olivia Stillwell, Tyler Langbien, Patrick Cain, Deborah Bolduc, Olivia Morgan 
Team Manager: Hilary Stillwell

 

Very Cutesy, Very DI-mure, Dieterich Middle School, 4th Place Improv
Team Members: Casey Arriaga, Maycie Wilborn, Norah Harmonson, Taiwo Alamudun, Ava Behan, Julia Josselyn
Team Manager: Jessica Arriaga

 

Teenagers in Tiaras, Midlothian High School, 3rd Place Improv
Team Members: Grace Gardner, Eve Pate, Gretta Gardner, Ainsley Denoy, Blair Bryant
Team Manager: Danielle Gardner

 

Teams that placed at Lone Star

Emojional DI-mage, LaRue Miller Elementary, 8th Place Improv Challenge
Team Members: Brock Behan, Rhys Disney, Zac Valverde, Zoe Valverde, Allen Dayhuff
Team Manager: Kristen Behan, Brian Behan

 

Red Hot Silly Peppers, LaRue Miller Elementary, 10th Place Scientific
Team Members: Corina Salcedo, McKenzie Arriaga, Wyatt Snodgrass, Alex Benson, Cade Templeton, Max Karaman, Phoebe Wells
Team Manager: Jessica Arriaga

 

About Destination Imagination
Destination Imagination, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led non-profit organization whose purpose is to inspire and equip students to become the next generation of innovators and leaders. The organization is a leader in project-based learning experiences, where students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and service learning Challenges and then present their solutions at tournaments. Founded in 1982, Destination Imagination has impacted more than 2 million students. To learn more, please visit http://destinationimagination.org.