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| Contributed photo by Heidi St. Peter One of three Limestone Destination ImagiNation teams to win States on April 5 in Orono, Limestone’s high school team was pretty excited about their victory. Coached by Pat Allen, the team members are, front row: Megan Mullenix. From left, back row: Kareena Woodworth, Alyssa Sinclair, Kelly Clavet and Glen Kleinert. |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — For the first time since Limestone youth began participating in Destination ImagiNation and proceeding variations of the creative competition since the mid ‘80s, all three teams from the Limestone Community School won States this past Saturday in Orono.
“They were amazing,” said High School Destination Imagination Coach Pat Allen of her five team members. “I knew they had it in them, and when I saw them compete it was just ‘wow.’”
Driving home from Orono with a bus full of state champs, Allen described the electric atmosphere.
“Normally we would have a lot more kids who drove home with their parents rather than take the bus, but they all wanted to be with their teammates,” Allen said.
“They were crazy!” she added with a smile in her voice, “they couldn’t settle down for anything they were so excited.”
That excitement was kicked up a notch when the bus neared home and students were met by a convoy of parents and well-wishers; escorting the champs back to Limestone, the last 20 minutes of the drive was filled with whoops and cheers.
The great news is that all of Limestone’s 18 students have earned the opportunity to compete in the 2013 Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn. starting on Wednesday, May 22 and running through Saturday, May 25.
The less than great news is that it’s going to take around $1,200 per student and coaches to get the team to Knoxville for competition, a total price tag that weighs in around $26,400.
As Limestone’s no stranger to its Destination ImagiNation teams earning a spot at global competition, fundraising is already under way with the annual Whoopie Pie sale.
Elementary-level Coach Alva King explained that the teams will be selling 2,000 whoopie pies — fundraising started two weeks ago and the sale of baked goods will be ongoing until all 2,000 are sold.
A successful fundraiser will bring the group a few thousand dollars toward the total cost — but still very shy of their goal.
Destination ImagiNation coaches King, Allen and Middle-Level Coach Sue Tucker were slated to meet last night to begin developing cash-generating ideas, and a parent meeting is scheduled for Thursday night at the school.
Additional information regarding future fundraisers will be made available once its solidified.
