Edison students literally taking on the world

RICHMOND -- Edison Junior High School students competing on the team "Us," are hoping the third time will be a charm as they prepare to head to the Destination Imagination Global Finals May 22-25 in Kansas City, Mo.

Team "Us" has earned another chance to attend the event, after placing first in their category at the Ohio Affiliate Tournament in Barberton March 29. They will now be among the more-than 1,000 teams participating from across not only the country, but the world.

Destination Imagination is an educational program where teams work to solve open-ended challenges and present solutions in categories that include fine arts, technical and service learning. In return, the youth gain knowledge and experience in critical thinking and teamwork, as well as build STEM and conflict resolution skills.

The team has been on a roll this year, having excelled at the regional tournament near Cleveland March 1, and at the state competition, where they achieved first place for the second year in a row with their technical challenge, "Breaking Point."

Members include seventh-graders Beckett Dopp, Daleanee Devore, Lindsey Howell, Olivia Ferguson, Connor Richardson and Nathan Myers. They are coached by Amanda Richardson and Eric Ferguson.

"This year, our challenge was to build 20 stack items in any shape," Dopp explained. "We used an electromagnetic device to build it and a wrecking ball mechanism to tear it down. You get more points for how far you get the pieces, but they have to be within a target zone."

In the end, they earned the top score out of eight teams, along with the Renaissance Award for set design and story, along with high praise from the judges.

"From the storyline to the acting and then the props, we were hooked," officials said. "The team took a difficult, but realistic topic, and taught us how to have hope and the treasure of great friends. We loved the details of the spectacular life-like set they built, and how it was used in several different ways. But we will always be referencing the talking tree. How amazing from conception to the real bark and the beautiful hanging flowers. From start to finish, we were blown away."

"We had our character lose something and attempted to get it back," Dopp stated. "We received the Renaissance Award for showing a real situation that can happen to someone using life-like props."

Team members are eager to head to the Show Me state to show just what they can do at the global competition.

"Us" scored in the Top 20 in the middle school technical challenge category during their initial visit to the global finals. They placed in the Top 10 last year.

This time, members hope to rank higher, with their sights set on the top three.

"I'm super excited," Devore said of the trip.

"It feels great," added Richardson. "It's going to be our third year in a row and we pretty much know the city by heart."

"I enjoy being there because it's a great experience and we can just take it all in," Ferguson commented.

"I feel really good," Howell said. "We were really nervous at first, but I'll like just being back at Kansas City."

"I'm very happy," Myers announced, saying he will enjoy taking part in pin trading with other contestants and spending time with teammates.

The team explained it practices twice a week, spending many hours on Sundays to perfect their performance.

Now begins the fundraising portion to help defray the expenses of the trip. Plans included selling punch drinks during lunchtime, seeking sponsors at community businesses and to approach the Edison Board of Education for support.

The public is invited to attend a spaghetti dinner from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 3 at Richmond United Methodist Church. The cost is by donation. Those attending will enjoy a meal of pasta and take part in basket drawings.

"We can't wait to go out to the community and have them support us," Devore said.