The skit that led to placement at globals

A team of students through Destination Imagination, a nonprofit organization designed to teach kids vital life and career skills, put their minds together to prepare a skit that led them through a highly successful competition season.  

Rising sixth graders of Aledo, Landon Hromadka, Sam Skinner, Olivia Shafer, Audrey Womack, Delaney Templin, Jaylon Small, and Kade Quinlan successfully made it all the way to the global competition.   

They collaboratively produced a skit that showcased their problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, budgeting, scriptwriting, prop-building, and project management skills.  

In the nearly eight-minute production, they were required to include an origin story for a superhero and a supervillain. The group decided to use plants, one evil and one good, so when one smells it, it affects their behavior.   

The team created every element of their performance from the script to the props. They used plywood, a political signboard, and paint to make the background; a solenoid electromagnet, Model Magic clay, and toothpicks to make the Venus flytrap costume; Shafer hand-crocheted flowers, a face paint costume, and a Pachinko machine using PVC pipe, fishing line, and plywood.   

On top of creation, each member played a role in the skit: Audrey, Katie (a pedestrian); Delaney, the good plant; Kade, the super villain/ the evil twin; Olivia, the hero/the good twin; Sam, the twin’s conscience; Jaylon, the evil plant; and Landon, the botanist parent and Chase (the pedestrian).  

The students did it all on their own, while Stephanie Skinner, team manager, facilitated meetings and helped guide the process.  

“It's cool to see what kids are able to come up with. The way that I think I would solve a challenge is almost never the way that they actually solve it, and it ends up being so much more creative than what I feel like I would be able to come up with,” said Skinner.   

Their hard work shined through at competitions this season, placing second at regionals, fourth at state, and fourth at globals. The group shared at globals when they realized their placement; they were all shocked and excited at their achievement.  

“I felt like it was really creative, amazing work they were recognized for, which felt really great, so I'm just proud of them,” said Skinner. What was most impressive was “their ability to rise to the occasion and solve the challenge creatively and using teamwork. It seemed like whatever was put in front of them, they were able to take that and run with it and make it work.” 

The outlet of Destination Imagination allowed Landon, Sam, Olivia, Audrey, Delaney, Jaylon, and Kade to shine. Using creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, their skit came to life to complete their task, leading them to successful wins this season.