The "Peaceful Purple Penguins" during their skit at the State competition.

It takes months of work and hours and hours of practice to create a project for Destination ImagiNation, a national program for students to learn and experience creativity, teamwork and problem solving. But it’s paying off for Otsego’s teams. For the second year in a row, Otsego is sending a Destination Imagination team to the Global Finals in Tennessee. There, the kids will put their hard work up against thousands of other teams from across the world.

This year, it’s the “Peaceful Purple Penguins” heading to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville for the competition. Their two coaches and two team members were a part of last year’s team to go to Globals, but the rest will be new to the experience.

Each team prepares a skit with which to compete; the Penguins chose “Coming Attractions,” the Fine Arts Challenge. They had to create a 4-minute live movie trailer. Their trailer is called “The Dark and Beyond.” The premise of the movie is that enemy archeologists are exploring the rainforest looking for gems; after a few twists and turns, they end up in an alien world where they’re faced with new roadblocks and adventures. Their set includes a whirling portal, an alien, a spaceship and a man-eating plant.

It’s an exciting journey that earned them 1^st place at the Regional competition in Muskegon on March 10^th and then 2^nd place at the State competition at Central Michigan University on April 21^st. The top two teams at State move on to the Global Finals competition, which is May 23-26.

Getting there takes a mix of fundraising and district funds so the kids and parents have a big fundraising weekend planned, and it’s perfectly timed with Mother’s Day.

On Saturday, May 12^th, they will be holding a Flower Sale, pop can drive, 50/50 raffle and will have Schwan’s on site at the Alamo Depot (6187 West D Ave.) from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
Click here for a printable flyer.