KATY, TX [March 5, 2024] – On February 17, 160 Katy ISD Destination Imagination teams showcased their imagination and creativity at the annual Destination Imagination Gulf Coast Regional Tournament, the largest region in Texas. Elementary, junior high and high school students from Katy, Fort Bend, and Cy-Fair independent school districts, as well as several private schools, participated in this year’s tournament.
Last year, 22 Katy ISD teams advanced to the state level. This year, 33 teams are headed to the Lone Star Finals State Tournament to be held on April 12 – 13 in Arlington, Texas. Additionally, Katy ISD had five senior-level teams compete in an advanced instant challenge called “Extreme.” “Houston We Have a Problem” from Seven Lakes High School won first place and “Ordinary Extras” from Seven Lakes, Jordan, and Tompkins High Schools took second place. Both teams will advance to state.
“Advancing from the Destination Imagination regional competition to the state-level event speaks volumes about the hard work and collaborative spirit exhibited by these students throughout the school year. Their dedication is truly commendable,” said Dr. Joan Otten, Director of the Gifted/Talented & Advanced Academics Department at Katy ISD. “Katy ISD takes immense pride in witnessing students from across the district engage in this transformative tournament, recognizing its profound influence on their future endeavors,” she added.
Congratulations to the following Katy ISD 1st-3rd place Destination Imagination teams:
| School(s) | Team Name | Place
|
| Beck JH/ McMeans JH, Woodcreek JH, Exley Elementary
|
Team DInoMite! | 1st Place |
| Griffin Elementary | The Pinballers | 1st Place
|
| Seven Lakes HS/ Jordan HS/ Tompkins HS
|
Ordinary Extras | 1st Place |
| Alexander Elementary
|
Bright Lights | 1st Place |
| Beckendorff JH
|
Team T-R. EX | 1st Place |
| Cinco Ranch HS | Two-Toed Dinos | 1st Place
|
| Hayes Elementary
|
Girl Power | 1st Place |
| Jenks Elementary
|
Solvers of the Impossible | 1st Place |
| McMeans JH
|
5 to Infinity | 1st Place |
| Memorial Parkway Elementary | The Candy Nerds | 1st Place
|
| Seven Lakes HS | Houston We Have a Problem | 1st Place |
| Seven Lakes HS/Jordan HS | The Ultimate Knights | 1st Place
|
| Tays JH | Tricky Twix | 1st Place
|
| Williams Elementary
|
DIno Nugget Destroyers | 1st Place |
| Wilson Elementary
|
The Talented Tribe | 1st Place |
| Wolman Elementary
|
Think About It | 1st Place |
| Alexander Elementary
|
Phoenix 5 | 2nd Place |
| Alexander Elementary
|
Blooming Blossoms | 2nd Place |
| Davidson Elementary | Mission Impossible Dragons | 2nd Place
|
| Davidson Elementary
|
Scientific Dreamers | 2nd Place |
| McMeans JH
|
SKAMM’D | 2nd Place |
| McMeans JH
|
Industrialists | 2nd Place |
| Morton Ranch HS
|
The Nerd Herd | 2nd Place |
| Nottingham Elementary
|
Chocolate Fudge Cookies | 2nd Place |
| Seven Lakes HS
|
Hexavenom | 2nd Place |
| Stanley Elementary
|
Mighty Marshmallows | 2nd Place |
| Stanley Elementary
|
Stampede Warriors | 2nd Place |
| Tompkins HS | Epic Failiers | 2nd Place
|
| Hayes Elementary
|
Shooting Stars | 3rd Place |
| Holland Elementary
|
Highlighters | 3rd Place |
| Kilpatrick Elementary
|
DI Dashers | 3rd Place |
| Pattison Elementary
|
Out of This World | 3rd Place |
| Seven Lakes JH
|
Act on Impulse | 3rd Place |
| Alexander Elementary | The Shooting Tie Dye Sharks | 3rd Place |
| Bryant Elementary | The Starry Knights | 3rd Place
|
| Jenks Elementary | Shape Shifters | 3rd Place
|
The following Katy ISD teams also earned “High Instant Challenge” medals:
| School(s) | Team Name | Special Award
|
| Griffin Elementary | The Pinballers | High IC
|
| Cinco Ranch HS | Two-Toed Dinos | High IC
|
| Tays JH | Tricky Twix | High IC
|
| Tompkins HS | Epic Failiers | High IC
|
| Alexander Elementary | The Shooting Tie Dye Sharks | High IC
|
| Bryant Elementary | The Starry Knights | High IC
|
| Jenks Elementary | Shape Shifters | High IC
|
| Kilpatrick Elementary | The Imaginators | High IC
|
| Rylander Elementary | Fantastic Four | High IC
|
| Shafer Elementary | Fantastic fantasy | High IC
|
| Tays JH | The Pinball Titans | High IC
|
The following Katy ISD teams earned a Special Award:
| School(s) | Team Name | Special Award
|
| Beck JH/ McMeans JH, Woodcreek JH, Exley Elementary
|
Team DInoMite! | Renaissance Award
|
| Seven Lakes HS/ Jordan HS/ Tompkins HS | Ordinary Extras | Spirit of Discovery and Imagination Award |
| Seven Lakes HS | Houston We Have a Problem | Renaissance Award
|
| Holland Elementary | Highlighters | DaVinci Award
|
Destination Imagination 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 Destination Imagination annually.
Destination Imagination Photo Gallery
