The brightest young problem-solvers in the world gathered on May 21-24 in Kansas City, MO for the 2026 Destination Imagination Global Finals — and the Mount Pleasant ISD Tigers were right in the middle of the action. After advancing through regional and state competition, two MPISD DI teams competed against more than 600 top teams representing dozens of states and countries. The event celebrated student creativity and innovation through challenges involving engineering, performance, storytelling, improvisation, and teamwork, giving students the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage.

“The Flying Cattapig Dumplings” earned 3rd place out of the 34 best middle level engineering teams in the world. This team had a structure score of over 7,000, surpassed by only two other teams. Team members are Kinlee Castro, Kate Cluley, Jake Jones, Sam Jones, Annalie Mata and Mailen Tapia with team managers Tommie Kay Castro, Jack Jones, Melissa Jones and Jamie King. The bulk of this team was known as the “Six Spectacular Sandwiches” in 2025 and bested their previous placement of 4th.

“The Hardworking Massive Pandas” tied for 12th place in elementary level engineering in their very first visit to Global Finals. Team members are Giovannie Contreras, Gian Gutierrez, Jacob Hernandez, Alan Perez, Ariana Ramirez, and Sophia Robertson with team managers Elda Hernandez and Jamie King.

MPISD has DI on all four elementary campuses, Wallace Middle School, and Mount Pleasant Junior High. For more information, contact those campuses when school begins in August.

Photos-

1: The Flying Cattapig Dumplings from Wallace Middle School and Mount Pleasant Junior High
2: The Hardworking Massive Pandas from Wallace Middle School