Heading to Globals!

Ben and his Como Park High School Destination Imagination team "Spilled Salsa" have advanced to Globals! Global Finals will take place in Knoxville, Tennessee from May 25-May 28 at the University of Tennessee. Teams from around the world will compete. Destination Imagination is a creative problem-solving competition, which requires brainstorming, creative thinking, collaboration and teamwork. The global competition seems like a spectacular event. Opening ceremonies are run in a way similar to the Olympics--with teams coming in waving flags and wearing team costumes. The picture here is of last year's ceremony with Columbia followed by England. For those teams from the US, I think they will come in as state delegations--Ben's team will come in with those representing Minnesota. Travel arrangements have not yet been settled, but it looks like Terri will travel with the team. To see more about it go to:

http://www.globalfinals.org/

a weekend of competitions

2 big competitions this past weekend for the family--the state tournament for Destination Imagination for Ben, and the Stick-it-to-Cancer Hockey Tournament for Terri. Both went well.

Ben's DI team did a series of performances and presentations for "Project Outreach" in the Senior High Division. They did over 150 hours of community service in the months leading up to the event. The pictures you see are their dramatic representations of their work. Ben was the voice of the teacher and played musical rifts in the background. His Star-Spangled Banner (performed when the flag you see above was raised) was one of the top moments of the day. The team didn't win but scored several high marks and have now submitted their scores and materials for consideration for an at-large spot to "Globals" (which would be in Knoxville TN later in May if they get chosen.)

Terri's team (see below) won their first two games and advanced to the championship game of their C3 bracket on Sunday. They didn't win (the milwaukee team they faced seemed to have a few ringers) but it was clearly their best weekend of the season and a great way to finish up the year! And all of Terri's clinics and skating paid off with a big assist in the game winning goal of the second contest.

signs of spring

--first outdoor softball practice (emma and doug), 4/8

--first golf of the season (doug and terri), 4/9

--first tennis of the season (doug, terri, ben, emma, and hannah), 4/10

...and today (sunday, 4/10), terri turns 45! we celebrated with fun, fancy family dinner last night at restaurant called Faces. highlight: two different chocolate cake desserts, on the house!

coming up:

--terri's spring league hockey and fundraiser tourney

--ben's DI (destination imagination) state tournament