Community

Community supports Edison DI team

RICHMOND -- Two Edison Local School District teams on their way to compete at the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Kansas City, Mo., are expressing gratitude to their schools and community for helping them to get there.

The Edison Junior High School's team, Us, will be making its second appearance at the international event, while first-time John Gregg Elementary School's the Baconators will also attend. They will join 1,400 teams from around the world at the Kansas City Convention Center Tuesday through Sunday. Events will be livestreamed. Destination Imagination is an educational program in which teams work throughout the year to solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions.

Each participant gains knowledge and experience in areas including creative and critical thinking, project management, team building, conflict resolution, STEM, perseverance and a completion mindset.

Us, which is coached by Amanda Richardson, includes seventh-graders Connor Richardson, Beckett Dopp, Nathan Myers, Daleanee Devore, Lindsey Howell and Olivia Ferguson. The Baconators, led by coach Amber Weaver, includes fourth- and fifth-grade students Lakynn Howell, Adrianna Miller, Carson Ensinger, Cadence Bendle, Reagan Ingram and Landon Ankrom. District D.I. Coordinator Kelly Dopp said both teams worked hard on their projects and rallied the community to raise funds. School, business and community members responded generously.

"Teams raised $36,000," said Dopp. "It was a joint effort and we're really appreciative."

The Bergholz Community Foundation gave $10,000. The district gave $3,600. Foundation members see it as a huge educational opportunity for our rural kids to go to the city and compete against kids from around the world. The community was very generous."

To raise money, teams held joint tag days, a spaghetti dinner and drawings at Richmond Methodist Church, penny wars and solicited businesses for assistance. More than 40 provided funds for sponsorships. Dopp said the Modern Woodmen of America donated $1,000.

Howell said students kept busy serving at the dinner, which drew 160 people. Ankrom and Bendle sold lemonade shake-ups during the First Fridays on Fourth event. Teams peddled slushies at lunch during school. Ingram mentioned the penny wars, as homerooms filled buckets that could be sabotaged with silver coins. The schools raised $4,800.

"It's really appreciated," Devore said of the contributions.

"We wouldn't be able to go without it," added Howell.

During last year's finals, Us tied for 20th place. They were eager to do better this time, fine tuning their technical challenge project, "Pinball Heroes," which incorporates a functional pinball system.

"We're hoping to be at least in the top 10 out of 50 teams," said Richardson.

The Baconators were excited to learn they made it to the finals. They will participate in the fine arts challenge with a skit involving a moveable art piece and have crafted a story about the Egyptian Sphinx. Foundation President Amy Richards said the competition was a wonderful opportunity for the students.

"The Bergholz Community Foundation Board found this as an exciting and unique opportunity to help children deepen their education experience," Richards added.

"During the past 30 years, the foundation has funded approximately $750,000 in grants to the Edison Local School District. The amount includes individual scholarships to graduating seniors," she noted. "We feel blessed to be able to provide this kind of support to our community and look forward to funding future projects. We rely on community support to further our mission and provide funding for many programs -- not just education."

Those interested in becoming a member of the Bergholz Community Foundation can visit the website bergholzfoundation.org.