Rosehill Elementary School's Destination Imagination team will advance to the global DI competition in Kansas City, Missouri from May 22-25 after placing first in the regional competition and third in the state competition.
This is the fourth time that Rosehill Elementary has had a team advance to globals, said Allison McClain, director of communications and marketing for Tomball ISD. The first time a TISD team went to globals took place in 2012.
"Over the past 12 years that I have worked in TISD, I have seen our program grow considerably and we have celebrated success of teams at state and globals every year," said Jennifer Bull, regional DI representative at TISD.
DI is a worldwide, educational nonprofit for pre-K through university-aged students. The organization's goal is to inspire and equip participants in their lives through problem-solving, creative, project-based challenges that teach critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills, Bull said.
"[DI] also encourages and celebrates differences in each other and differences in ideas," she said. "At global finals, teams are able to see performances from teams from all over the world. They are able to meet and get to know students from other countries and celebrate together."
Lori Pace, one of the Rosehill team members' mother, said DI has strengthened the confidence of not only her daughter, but the other team members as well.
"We are amazed that these shy little fourth graders that started the year can now stand in front of a crowd with confidence and maturity," Pace said. "They can present their show to judges, talk to a room full of chamber [of commerce] members at a breakfast and feel great about their accomplishments. Teaching self confidence to girls can be hard to do, but DI, its coaches and supporters have given all of our girls a huge step up."
