This season, Destination Imagination Team Beetho faced their fears.
With the combined brainpower and humor of members Ericka Peacock, Morgan Rose, Taeylor Samora, Sarah Skinner and Kensey Switzer, and the guidance of Coach Kim Russell, the girls soared through regionals with their "Feary Tale" skit and won second place at the state competition in April. Their creative spark burned especially bright recently in May, when they continued on to the Global Finals.
Traveling all the way to Knoxville, Tenn., on May 20, the team became part of an event that included not only 48 other states, but 30 countries. "It was cool meeting all the different people from all over the world," said Sarah Skinner.
The team presented their eight-minute skit "Gerontophobia," a reference to a fear of older people. "It was a really fun experience," said Morgan Rose. Scoring was based on a set of criteria and anything they did that went above and beyond the criteria.
"They placed 20th in their section but overall 30th out of 105 teams," said coach Kim Russell. "They performed well," she said, noting that the girls "really did have a unique take on the challenge".
The girls raised $13,000 for the competition, which enabled them to take place in other activities at the finals.
"They had a bunch of really cool stuff you could do," said Skinner, listing off activities such as spray paint murals and even a NASA booth. "We are very thankful for the support."
They all had a thank-you for the town.
"They are really, really grateful to the community and the support that they gave us." said Russell. "The community was really supportive and gave them a lot for this trip."