After competing at Buchanan High School, the Fresno Christian Destination Imagination (DI) team placed first in their division, March 13.

The DI team took part in an annual competition for the regional section of DI, a world-wide organization that encourages imagination and teamwork in kids and teens. Because of their first place victory, the team, named Catch Fraise, has been invited to the state contest which will be held in San Jose on April 10.

Catch Fraise competed in a event called Direct Diposit, which was made up of two parts. The first is a skit members must perform, wherein the main character learns an important lesson through a difficult decision.

Team manager Gigi Thao, ’12, led the skit, as well as designing the backdrops and props with group member Zed Fries, ’12. Thao says that given the time allotted, her team did an overall acceptable job.

“We had a lot of last-minute preparation due to difficulties with schedules and poor communication within the team,” Thao said. “But with all the last minute preparation we had, I think we performed to the best of our ability.”

The second part of the competition was a building challenge. Catch Fraise was challenged to build a “claw” in order to drop objects over a six foot wall onto targets below. David Casuga, ’12, designed and built the team’s claw. He, like Thao, says the team and invention could be perfected given more time.

“For the materials we had and our time allotted it went well,” Casuga said. “It was quite well thought out and the design for the claw itself was really good. That being said, we could definitely improve upon it by using stronger materials and a structurally sound design.”

In between regionals and state, teams are encouraged by DI officials to improve their designs and skits in order to receive more points and an overall better score. Thao plans to do this by analyzing the mistakes of the past and eliminating them.

“I plan to improve by using our failures and quirks and discuss with the team what we can do to make our skit and invention better,” Thoa said. “From that point we can figure out as a team what new materials we need.”

Catch Fraise competed last year in an instant challenge but did not move on to state. This being their first win, member Dana King, ’12, says she is very proud of her team’s accomplishments.

“It’s a great feeling to win because even though we fooled around a lot, in the end we really tried our best,” King said. “After focusing on something and having it control your life over the past few months, it’s nice to have an adjudicator whom you don’t know appreciate it.”

Team points will be released later this week. For more information, read the March 11 article, Sophomores prepare Destination Imagination challenge.