Mount Pleasant ISD Destination Imagination (DI) concluded their award-winning season with their highest placement yet at the DI Global Finals. More than 600 of the top-ranking student teams—representing 30 U.S. states and 13 countries—earned their places at Global Finals by excelling in regional and national competitions. Nearly 10,000 attendees from around the globe gathered in downtown Kansas City on May 22-25 for the culminating celebration of a season dedicated to student-driven creativity, collaboration, and innovation. Their challenge solutions span disciplines such as engineering, storytelling, improvisation, and performance, showcasing remarkable ingenuity and teamwork. The event marked the exciting conclusion of the 2024-25 DI season, which engaged over 30,000 students worldwide.

The “Six Spectacular Sandwiches” from P.E. Wallace Middle School placed 4th in the world in the Middle Level Engineering Challenge and earned the highest Instant Challenge Score. After claiming the Regional Championship, the team placed 2nd at State to earn their spot at Globals. Team members include Kinlee Castro, Kate Cluley, Jake Jones, Annalie Mata, Lane Richardson, and Mailen Tapia.

The Terrifying Tigers from Annie Sims Elementary placed 14th out of 34 in the Elementary Level Engineering Challenge and earned the 4th highest transporter score in the world. Team members include Alexa Cano, Laura Ethridge, Sam Jones, and Zuleymi Mendoza.

“Thank you all for supporting Destination Imagination and our amazing students,” said coach, Jamie King. “They have my whole heart and are hardworking, brilliant, and creative. The question of the day has been, ‘Mrs. King when is our next practice?’ We keep moving up! 10th in the world last year, 4th in the world this year, we are looking for 1st!”

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:

The Six Spectacular Sandwiches from P.E. Wallace Middle School (L to R) Kinlee Castro, Annalie Mata, Kate Cluley, Lane Richardson, Jake Jones, Mailen Tapia

The Terrifying Tigers from Annie Sims Elementary School (L to R) Laura Ethridge, Alexa Cano, Zuleymi Mendoza, Sam Jones