Imagine this: Teams win state tourney

Over the past five months, the members of Skyway Elementary’s Destination ImagiNation teams have gotten good at stretching their imaginations.

They didn’t imagine they’d win top prize at the state competition, though, and a chance to compete at nationals in Knoxville, Tenn. And they never imagined they’d be faced with raising thousands of dollars in just a couple of weeks to get there.

A dozen students from the Coeur d’Alene school traveled to Boise this month to compete in the contest that challenges students to think creatively and solve problems as a team.

One team of Skyway students had to create a vehicle that could go on a triangular track for the Dizzy Derby competition. The object was to complete as many laps as possible in 8 minutes.

They turned student Isaac Cunnington’s scooter into a “banana taxi” and took a pretend trip to “Monkey Town,” with stops in “Silly City” and “Groovy Grove.”

The other team had to improv a live radio broadcast.

Dizzy Derby participants were faced with “detours” or challenges that made the task more difficult. During the radio broadcast, students had to incorporate sound effects, a jingle and a commercial with “an outrageous claim” and an eccentric character.

They received the headline for their breaking news – a bull runs through an antique shop – just one minute before going “on air.”

Team member Ashley Lennon said the students learn a lot about working together through Destination ImagiNation. With no time to argue, she said, they have learned to make decisions quickly.

“We just vote,” said Maddi Jessick.

The Skyway students said Friday that they’ve practiced five months for the competition, typically two to three days a week with occasional daylong sessions on Saturdays, learning things like “only one person should talk at a time” and “how to think on your feet.”

Students will sell candy bars outside the Post Falls Wal-Mart from 4:30 to 6 p.m. May 6. They are also accepting donations through the school at 6621 Courcelles Parkway in Coeur d’Alene. Parent adviser Jessica Lennon-Martinson said donations are tax deductible.

Lennon-Martinson said it would cost about $20,000 to send all of the students to the national competition. Some parents have volunteered to cover expenses, but at least one of the teams is short on money and likely won’t be able to compete.

Elaine Morren, parent adviser of the Dizzy Derby team, said students would benefit from the experience.

“They get a lot of team-building experience and learn how to deal with people,” Morren said. “These are going to be life skills that they take with them forever.”