Seven of the nine Jefferson City teams that competed in the district Destination Imagination tournament in Knob Noster this week will advance to the state tournament April 14 in Joplin.
The team DI MAJEKS received third place in the elementary level "Theatrical Challenge-Coming Attractions." They also received a special "Spirit of DI" award for their perseverance and character during their presentation.
Managed by Melanie Thompson, members include East Elementary School fifth-graders Jerica Breedlove, Alexis Williams, Marissa Prenger, Shae Lackman and Kassidy Green, plus Cedar Hill Elementary School third-grader Emily Thompson.
The team Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia won first place in the middle school level "Science Challenge-The Solar Stage."
Seventh-grade team members include Sam Trout, Sarah Hirst and Alaina Allsbury from Lewis and Clark Middle School; Alison Riggs from Thomas Jefferson Middle School; and Sarah Ginther form St. Joseph Cathedral School. Team managers are Karen and Rick Hirst.
The Brainiacs team received first place in the elementary level "Improvisational Challenge-News to Me."
Team members include second-graders Addison Ganey from Trinity Lutheran School, Olivia Taylor from South Elementary School, Aubrey Gogel from East, Alex Hirst from North Elementary School, and Anthony Greatsinger from West Elementary School, and third-graders Zach Leary from Moreau Heights Elementary School and Devin Kayser from St. Peters Interparish School. Kristin Kayser and Karen Hirst are team managers.
The team We Forgot Our Name So ... placed second in the middle school level "Improvisational Challenge-Engineering Challenge."
Managed by Ruthie Caplinger, team members from Thomas Jefferson Middle School include George Burson, Ellie Severance, Emily Rackers, Chloe Bagnull, and Blair Michael.
The team Geek Squad earned second place in the elementary level "Engineering Challenge."
Team members include Immaculate Conception School fifth-graders Kyle Yungbluth, Cameron Kupec, Josh White, Erica Dohmen, Natalie Lamb, Jack Higgins, and Michalee Sipi. Team managers are Mike Yungbluth and Mary Beth Anthony.
The team Smart Bugs placed third in the elementary level "Engineering Challenge."
Third-grade team members from Cedar Hill include Collin Martin, Scottie Kremer and Hannah Nilges and from Immaculate Conception, Faith Sneller. Mary Kremer is the team manager.
The team SuperNova of the Mind earned second place in the high school level "Engineering Challenge."
Team members from Jefferson City High School include sophomores Brittany Hart and Kristen Hirst; from Simonsen 9th Grade Center, Greg Treiman; and from Helias Catholic High School freshman Michael Ginther and sophomore Jonathan Niekamp. Rick and Karen Hirst are team managers.
Two other teams competed at the district tournament.
The team Lucky Charms placed fourth in middle school level "Theatrical Challenge-Coming Attractions."
Managed by Monica Netter and Mary Kremer, the team included Lizzie Kremer and Kelsey Bartlett from Lewis and Clark, Megan Kerr from St. Joseph, and from Thomas Jefferson Briana Blackwell, Kailey Netter, and Catherine Pierce.
The team Jerky Sky Inferno placed fourth in the elementary level Engineering Challenge.
Belair Elementary School team members include Alex Harper, Morgan Stoll, Quin Kempker and Hunter Marsh, plus Saniya Sah from West Elementary School. Jen Harper was team manager.