PIERRE — Nine of Huron’s 11 Destination Imagination teams that went to the S.D. Finals competition on April 6 qualified to move on to the global finals later this summer. The event was held at the Georgia Morse Middle School in Pierre, with 37 teams from across the state competing in team-selected challenges including: science, engineering, technical, fine arts, service learning and improvisation.

Huron’s Director of Destination Imagination, Callee Bauman Wachter said, “Our kids did an amazing job this year. They worked hard and their dedication and creative problem solving led to a lot of wins for their teams. It is no surprise that their commitment to growth and success led them to the top of their divisions. We have great kids involved. It’s a great time to be a part of Huron Destination Imagination.”

In the Fine Arts Elementary Division, Team Nature Quirrel Girls placed second in the state. Team members were December Chase, Hannah Winger, and Kinsley Van Winkle.

In the Fine Arts Middle School Division, The Baboons placed second. Team members are Brooklyn Van Winkle and Georgia Wilson. Team October Hounds placed first. Team members Maleya Moser and Ella Dawkins were also awarded a special Renaissance Award for creativity and team work.

The Improvisational Challenge included three Huron teams.

The elementary team, Fire Friends, took home 2nd. Team members are Ashtyn Pedersen, Zoey Nice, Eli Fergen, Cadee Dawkins, and Hagen Fergen. This team was awarded a special distinction for their work in the Instant Challenge.

In the Middle School Division, the Thermonuclear Poptarts placed 2nd. Team members are Tanis Zachrison, Alexander Quillen, and Deacon Lavallee. In the High School Division – the Procrastination Monkeys, comprised of Mylie Byrd and Anthony Sorto, placed 1st.

The high school team competing in Engineering, The Under Achievers, have team members Alli Lucklum, Leo Schumacher, Tucker Micheel and Damon Schmidt. They were awarded 1st place and won a special distinction in their Instant Challenge.
Huron had a pair of elementary science teams compete. The TV Nugget Gummies placed 3rd in the state.

Team members are Blakely Briley, Nylah Perez, Janae Smith, Evangeline Wachter, Spencer Sho, and Lenora Dunn. Team Snake Valley also competed. Team members are Lorelei Quillen, Star Sho, and Noah Winger.

The elementary Technical team, the Mooing Kookoo Cucumbers placed 1st. They were awarded a special distinction in their Instant Challenge. Team members include Georgia Wachter, Calvin Brace, Kiersten Mittlestedt, Michael Le, Luxanna Metter, and Kathryn Schumacher.

In the Service Learning challenge, the Middle School Team, the Red DinoLions, placed 2nd. Team members are Jade Dunn, Kayleen Knouse, KJ Metcalf, and Maddie McGaugh.

A total of nine of the 11 Huron teams qualified to compete in the Global Tournament May 22-25 in Kansas City, Mo. This event showcases team solutions on a world stage, with teams from over 20 countries across the globe. It is a wonderful event to showcase team ingenuity, hard work, and dedication to creativity.

If you would like to learn more about the Destination Imagination Program or learn about the opportunity to take part, you can contact by email: huronsddi@gmail.com.