Lakeview Elementary Students Head to Global Destination Imagination Contest
They call themselves “The Awesome Opossums,” and their moniker is emblazoned on a handmade yellow school bus largely built with cardboard and construction paper.
This seven-member group of 4th and 5th graders from Robbinsdsale’s Lakeview Elementary formed a small theater troupe in the school’s library this week.
They built the bus themselves. In fact, they built the entire set on their own. Other props, like a mock cherry farm and fake cherries are placed strategically on the stage.
“The adults weren’t able to do anything,” said Will Larsen, one of the students. “If we wanted to use a hot glue gun or a cardboard cutter, then they could show us how to do it, but we actually had to do it.”
Some of the kids got a chance to experiment, while others played the villain.
“I like that I get to be really sassy, and nobody has to tell me what to do,” said Sebastian Colthorpe, a Lakeview student.
Even though they’re acting out a skit, these student aren’t in theater class.
Rather, they’re practicing for a competition called Destination Imagination.
“It is celebrating problem solving, where students have to create solutions to a multitude of problems,” said Lakeview teacher and team co-coach Jennifer Hollander. “This happens to be based on a fine arts problem. But they have to create a skit, write a story.”
Students across the globe compete in Destination Imagination tournaments, developing a project within an established set of rules and guidelines.
This year, students had to base their performance on another piece of art.
The Awesome Opossums, a Destination Imagination team at Lakeview Elementary, perform a skit.
The Awesome Opossums selected the Walker Art Center “Spoonbridge and Cherry” as their inspiration.
With a concept in mind, they developed a performance and set.
They later showed off their performance at the Minnesota Destination Imagination tournament in March. They won first place.
That gives them a chance to head to Kansas City for the global Destination Imagination tournament later this May.
But, first they had to raise money for the trip.
Their GoFundMe campaign raised about $5,000, meeting their goal.
The group is excited to travel, and is learning life-lessons along the way.
“They’re confident, and they’re trustworthy of each other and they’re a community,” said Barb Little, Lakeview Elementary teacher and team co-coach.
