Courtesy Photo The Mt. Gilead DI team placed 10th at the 2015 Globals in Knoxville Tenn. L-r: Joel Conrad, Jason LIn, Madi Swalley, Rebecca Staley, Anna Morracco, Garrett Lamb-Hart and Ryan Swalley at World’s Fair Park.

Courtesy Photo L-r are: Anna Morracco, Madi Swalley, Rebecca Staley, Garrett Lamb-Hart, Joel Conrad and Jason Lin with Destination Imagination Mascots at Destination Imagination Team at Worlds in Knoxville, Tenn.

Courtesy Photo This photo shows opening ceremonies at the Global Finals.

The Mount Gilead Park Avenue Fifth Grade Destination Imagination Team returned from the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn. with a tenth place finish.

The elated team members were part of thousands of students from around the world who presented their solutions to the DI challenges to demonstrate they had mastered the creative process from imagination to innovation. Each challenge was designed to foster curiosity, courage and creativity.

The competition took place May 20-23. Global finals is the culminating event for the Destination Imagination season.

The team’s project involved raising money for an examination table for the new dog shelter. They formed partnerships with the Gleaners and the individuals from Whetstone Industries. They have currently raised $2,000 toward the table and have another $500 to raise.

The team used graphic art and sounds to create an effective logo and jingle. They also had to design a presentation that incorporated these as well as project puzzle that had to be put together during the performance.

Team members are Madi Swalley, Rebecca Staley, Anna Morracco, Joel Conrad, Jason Lin and Garrett Lamb-Hart. Their coach is Robin Conrad.

The team extends special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Dettra for helping to coach the team.

This is the second year this team has participated in the Global Finals. Last year, 2014, they placed 30th in the world.

Global Finals is more than a competition, it is a celebration of creativity and an extension of creative learning.

Evelyn Long is a correspondent with the Morrow County Sentinel and can be reached at [email protected].