Ninety-eight Katy ISD teams showcased their imagination and creativity during this year’s Destination Imagination (DI) Gulf Coast Regional Tournament, and in the end, students earned several trophies, medals, as well as some bragging rights. Thirteen teams will now advance to the Lone Star Finals State Tournament to be held on March 25-26. Elementary, junior high and high school learners from Katy ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Lamar Consolidated ISD and several private schools participated in the tournament held at Cinco Ranch High School on Saturday, February 12. The following 1st-3rd place teams took home trophies:
| School Name | Team Name | Recognition |
| Alexander Elementary | Rumbling Rockets | 1st place |
| Campbell Elementary | Golden Thinkers | 1st place |
| Exley Elementary | The Jokers | 1st place |
| Exley Elementary | DInoMite | 1st place |
| Shafer Elementary | The Improv Einsteins | 1st place |
| Shafer Elementary | Creative Crew | 1st place |
| Shafer Elementary | The Daredevils | 1st place |
| Morton Ranch Junior High | The Nerd Herd | 1st place |
| Tays Junior High | Tricky Twix | 1st place |
| Seven Lakes High | The Goodfellas | 1st place |
| Seven Lakes High | Houston We Have a Problem | 1st place |
| Seven Lakes High | Frenzied Revelers | 1st place |
| Bryant Elementary | The Improvables | 2nd place |
| Creech Elementary | Celestial Comets | 2nd place |
| Griffin Elementary | The Microscopic Masterminds | 2nd place |
| Beckendorff Junior High | Off topic ! | 2nd place |
| McMeans Junior High | Radioactive Ducks | 2nd place |
| Seven Lakes High | Frenzied Revelers | 2nd place |
| Alexander Elementary | Da Rainstormers | 2nd place |
| Campbell Elementary | Campbell Frenzy | 3rd place |
| Davidson Elementary | The Micro Dragons | 3rd place |
| Jenks Elementary | Jester Jaguars | 3rd place |
| McRoberts Elementary | Box O’ Brains | 3rd place |
| Wolman Elementary | Mission Possible Clown Protocol | 3rd place |
| Beckendorff Junior High | The Dregs | 3rd place |
| Cinco Ranch Junior High | Innovative Thinkers | 3rd place |
| Memorial Parkway Junior High | DI Dynasty | 3rd place |
Among several recognitions, the following teams also earned “High Instant Challenge” medals:
| School Name | Team Name | Recognition |
| Exley Elementary | DInoMite | High IC |
| Hayes Elementary | Pickle to Cucumber | High IC |
| Katy Elementary | Mystic Tigers | High IC |
| McRoberts Elementary | Box O’ Brains | High IC |
| Shafer Elementary | The Improv Einsteins | High IC |
| Tays Junior High | Tricky Twix | High IC |
| Seven Lakes High | Frenzied Revelers | High IC |
| Seven Lakes High | Frenzied Revelers | High IC |
| Seven Lakes High | The Goodfellas | High IC |
“DI is a unique opportunity that challenges students to use 21st– century skills of collaboration, communication, creative thinking and critical thinking to solve complex problems,” said Dr. Joan Otten, Director of Gifted & Talented/Advanced Academics at Katy ISD.
Additionally, Katy ISD had one senior level team compete in an advanced Instant Challenge called “Extreme.” The Seven Lakes High School team known as “Frenzied Revelers” won 2nd place and will advance to state as well. This year, the competition will take place in Arlington, Texas. Hundreds of teams will compete during the event in hopes of earning awards and advancing to the final Global Level Tournament in May to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
DI is an extraordinary non-profit organization that provides educational programs for students to learn and experience creativity and teamwork. In preparation for a tournament, students choose a “Challenge,” prepare a solution to the challenge, and present their solution in a highly creative skit. Additionally, all teams participate in an “Instant Challenge,” which is a test of their improvisational skills. Their final score is a combination of the two events. Over 100,000 students in more than 30 countries participate in DI annually.