Cloverdale students place high in improv competition

Cloverdale High School and middle school students recently competed in an improv competition held in Columbus. All teams had good performances with the middle school Curious Clovers team (above) placing first in its improv challenge. The team included Annika Whitlock (bottom, left), Hannah Long, and Sarah Baker, Jimmy Tate, Eddie Mannan and Evan Williamson. The team is coached by Brad Sandy.

COLUMBUS -- Cloverdale Community Schools were represented well this past Saturday at Regional competition in Columbus. All three schools had teams to represent the district with the middle school taking two teams.

The middle school team, Curious Clovers, consisted of Annika Whitlock, Hannah Long, Sarah Baker, Eddie Mannan, Evan Williamson and Jimmy Tate placed first in the Improv Challenge, A Change in Realitiee.

The High School Team, Reality Check Tech, consisted of Dustin Boothby, Travis Roberson, Amanda Phillips, Emily Grove, Caitlyn Gibson and Krystina Woods placed second in the Senior Level Improv Challenge. The coach for the high school team is Regina Tate with Brad Sandy coaching the middle school team.

Both of these teams will advance to State Finals on April 13 at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers.

Also competing with strong challenge performances were the Elementary Team, WIN"DI" CLOVERS and the Middle School team, TieDI Guys.

Members of the Elementary team are Michaela Nees, Lily Monnett, Phoebe McDonald, Ruthie Mann, Sadie Priest, Autumn Lewellen and Kiara Boyd. Coached by Kim Rich and Jessica Fidler.

Members of the TieDI Guys are Elliott Williamson, McKenzie Stoltz, Samantha Shrum, Jaren Rossok, MacKenzie Westell, Grace Long and Tori Combs. Julie Williamson coached the team.

About Destination Imagination

At the tournament, Destination Imagination teams will solve two types of challenges: team challenges and instant challenges. Teams will perform their challenge solutions to a group of Appraisers. Destination Imagination Appraisers are local volunteers who have been trained to assess the challenges.

During the instant challenge, a team will receive an instant challenge and the materials with which to solve it. The team members must think on their feet by applying appropriate skills to produce a solution in a period of just five to eight minutes.

In a world with growing cultural connections, increased levels and types of communication, and a new need for real-time teamwork and problem solving, the ability to solve problems quickly is becoming increasingly critical. Instant Challenges are performance-based, task-based or a combination of the two. Although each instant challenge has different requirements, all instant challenges reward teams for their teamwork. Instant challenges are kept confidential until the day of the tournament.

Teams also complete a team challenge in several different genres including: fine arts, science, improve, technical or structural. Team solutions are assessed at a regional tournament, a state tournament or Global Finals. Every year, local volunteers help run more than 200 Destination Imagination tournaments around the world.

Destination Imagination teams that advance past regional and state/country (Affiliate) tournaments are invited to participate in Global Finals, the world's largest celebration of creativity.

Global Finals is the culminating event of every Destination Imagination season. In May, more than 1,100 teams from teams from 45 states, seven Canadian provinces and 13 countries gather to showcase their challenge solutions. More than15,000 people attend Global Finals to celebrate creativity and have fun. Although it is not a permanent location, it takes place at the University of Tennessee.