Oscars, schmoscars.
Merriman Park students participating in Destination Imagination (DI) over the weekend walked away with several awards, and one team earned the right to move on to the state competition in April.
Gravity 5, a team of 3rd graders coached by Chris LaVigne and Lisa Wentzel, took 1st place at regionals. Their challenge involved being “inspired by a piece of art that hangs in a museum by an artist from another country,” and the team chose Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party.
LaVigne was bursting with pride.
“I love working with these kids and seeing their improvement,” he said. “The best part is spending time with my son and his friends.”
“The best part,” said Chris’ son Roman, “was making people laugh.”
“I really liked going into the room and showing off,” agreed Jack Hollis. “And I liked hearing the scores when we won.”
Maggie Wentzel, Hannah Deats and Mary McMullen rounded out Gravity 5.
“As a team, Gravity 5 has great chemistry,” added Lisa Wentzel. “They recognize each other’s strengths and make room for everyone to use their own. It’s easy to coach a team that is so collaborative and cooperative. Collectively they have a great sense of humor, so it makes it fun to not only coach them, but to watch them perform, too.”
Also excelling were “6 Divas and the Boy From Down the Street”, 5th graders, who earned highest instant challenge scores of the day and 2nd place in Challenge B. “Anonymous”, also 5th graders, tied for 3rd in Challenge D, “Tie Dyed Tigers”, 2nd graders, were Rising Stars in the non-competitive division and “Neon Pandas With Rainbow Mustaches”, 4th graders, were 4th in Challenge D. Congratulations, all!