South Conejos sends Destination Imagination Team to state competition

Antonito Middle School’s TB Trojans before performing their challenge. From left are: Antonio Velasquez, Maggie Mason, Chris Velasquez, Luz Elena Parra Ramirez, EJ Maestas, Nate Camacho, and Rachael Large. 

South Conejos School District (SCSD) sent two teams to the Destination Imagination Spicy South Regional competition in Pueblo on March 9th. Antonito Middle School’s team, TB Trojans, placed 4th in the Scientific: Medical Mystery challenge and received the Wild Card Award, advancing them to the state level competition in Denver on April 6th. Guadalupe Elementary also sent a team that competed in the Fine Arts: Game On challenge.

Seven middle school students comprised the TB Trojans and were tasked with researching and presenting a medical mystery in a skit that incorporated technical STEM elements. Inspired by the Oregon Trail and modern video games, the TB Trojans chose tuberculosis as their medical mystery. They used the Cumbres & Toltec as inspiration for their setting. Judges praised students for their unique use of film and setting.

“Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and entertaining,” Rachael Large, a seventh grader, commented.

Luz Elena Parra Ramirez, a seventh grader, said she “had a great time for my first time. It was fun and it was amazing to see all the different ideas from kids from all over.” 93 teams competed at the regional competition.

Middle school team managers were Maddie Mansheim and Sandra Archuleta.

Guadalupe elementary also had six students compete and were challenged to reinvent a classic board game. Students turned the game of chess into a reflection of current politics. They created a board game box that once upon transformed into an elaborate setting. Elementary team manager was Cordelia Lujan.

If Antonito Middle School’s TB Trojans places at state, they will then compete in the global competition in Kansas City. Both teams were the only San Luis Valley representatives and SCSD’s first Destination Imagination teams.