Lake Highlands has two Destination Imagination teams who’ve made it to the global finals in May, with two fantastic coaches spurring them on to creative victory. They just happen to live at the same house.
Gravity 6.0 is coached by Chris Lavigne, along with Lisa Wentzel and Becca Bryan. The Merriman Park Elementary team, now 5th graders, has been together since 2nd grade and has been to state competition 3 times. Last year they won 5th place at globals, and their recent 1st place in Texas makes them think this year’s their year.
TREHL is an MPE alumni team, with 7th graders from Forest Meadow, West Junior High, Cistercian Prep and Westwood. Coach Meredyth Childress, wife of Lavigne, says it’s great to see the special bond the kids made, most coming together in 2nd grade, even though they’ve gone their separate ways for junior high.
To participate in the global tournament in Knoxville, the teams need to raise funds. They’re hosting events, and the entire LH community is invited. Gravity 6.0 will host a spaghetti dinner and DI showcase April 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the MPE cafeteria. The cost is $5 per person – RSVP at mere_chris@sbcglobal.net. April 19, Neighbors Casual Kitchen will kick back a portion of proceeds to the team; April 30 is an all-day car wash at the school; and May 5 is Spirit Night at Penne Pomodoro. You can also order jute tote bags from ChocolateBags.com or simply make a donation via their GoFundMe page here.
TREHL will host a garage sale April 15th at 7102 Claybrook, participate in Neighbors’ kick back day April 19th, sponsor the Bubb Recycling Truck at FMJH April 30th from 8 a.m. to noon, and join in Spirit Night at Penne Pomodoro May 5. They, too, will receive proceeds from sales at ChocolateBags.com and have a GoFundMe page here.
Gravity 6.0 team members are Roman Lavigne, Trixie Bryan, Maggie Wentzel, Jack Hollis, Hannah Deats and Mary McMullen. TREHL members are Lucy Lavigne, Rory Tubbs, Ella Wentzel, Horton Richard and Trinity Malott.
Go get ‘em, guys!