WEBSTER — A total of 12 Huron Destination Imagination teams competed in the Eastern South Dakota Regional Tournament on March 23, at Webster High School. 

A year of team building went into the regional competition, and teams placing in all divisions qualify for this weekend’s State Destination Imagination competition in Pierre.

Those with top scores at the state competion are invited to compete at the Global Competition May 22-25 in Kansas City.

Here is a break down of Huron’s DI teams at the regional competiion.

The Technical Team – The Mooing Kookoo Cucumbers– tasked in building a life-size pinball machine, placed 1st in the region.  Team members are: Georgia Wachter, Luxanna Metter, Calvin Brace, Kathryn Schumacher, Michael Le, and Kiersten Mittelstedt. The team is coached by Callee Bauman Wachter.

Scientific Challenge
In the Scientific Challenge Huron sent two elementary teams.

Each group presented a story based on an archeological discovery.  Team Snake Valley, coached by Pawmuhah Sho placed second. Team members include Star Sho, Noah Winger and Loralei Quillen.

The TV Nugget Gummies, coached by Callee Bauman Wachter, placed 1st in the Scientific Challenge.

Team members are: Evangeline Wachter, Blakely Briley, Janae Smith, Lenora Dunn, Spencer Sho and Nylah Perez. 

Fine Arts Challenge
Huron sent three teams in the Fine Arts Challenge to the Regional Competition. 

Fine Arts teams created a presentation based on kinetic art. 

Huron’s Middle School Teams are the October Hounds and the Baboons, and they placed 1st and 2nd, respectively. 

October Hounds are coached by Meagon Moser and team members are Maleya Moser and Ella Dawkins. 

The Baboons are coached by Kathleen Wilson and team members are Georgia Wilson and Brooklyn Van Winkle. 

In the elementary division, the Nature Quirrel Girls, coached by Arin Winger received 1st place. Team members are Hannah Winger, Kinsley Van Winkle, and December Chase. 

Improvisational
Huron had three Improvisational Teams competing this year.  Each team worked on impromptu costume design and stock character exaggeration or minimization! 

At the High School Level, The Procrastination Monkeys were coached by Angie Rans.  They received 1st place.  Team members are Mylie Byrd, Samantha Swanson, and Anthony Sorto. 

At the Middle School level, Mackenzie and Kristopher Lavallee coach the Thermonuclear Poptarts. Team members are Tanis Zachrison, Deacon Lavallee, and Alexander Quillen.  They won 1st place. 

At the elementary level, Team Fire Friends, coached by Audra Fergen, won 1st place. Team members are Eli Fergen, Hagen Fergen, Cadee Dawkins, Zoey Nice, and Ashtyn Pedersen. 

Engineering
In the engineering challenge, High School team - The Under Achievers, won 1st place. They created a device that could launch a bean bag across a gymnasium in two unique configurations. 

The team is coached by Kathy Micheel. Team members are Tucker Micheel, Leo Schumacher, Alli Lucklum, and Damon Schmidt.

The Middle School had a service-learning team attend the regional tournament. The RedDino Lions are coached by Sarah Dunn.  Team members are Jade Dunn, Khadience Metcalf, Kayleen Knouse, and Maddie McGaugh.  This group was asked to complete a local community service project and create a presentation about completing a quest.  The team took 1st in the region.

The final team presenting at the tournament was the early learning team, made up of kids PreK-1st grade.

The early learning team - Princess Smiles and the Croc - created and presented a story about underwater habitats and landmarks. 

The team was coached by Callee Bauman Wachter and team members were Margo Wachter, Hunter Telkamp, Blayke Smith, LilyAnn Knouse, and Ellianna Blocker.  This team of young students were recognized for their creativity and team work.