The following is a submission from SMMUSD
In an extraordinary first-year achievement, Roosevelt Elementary School’s student team, The Magical Kings and the Mysterious Wizards, is headed to the Destination Imagination (DI) Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri, taking place May 22 to 25. The team earned this opportunity after placing first in their category at the Los Angeles Destination Imagination Land Regional Tournament, followed by an impressive third-place finish at the California State Tournament in the Elementary Level Technical Challenge.
Destination Imagination is a global science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) program that challenges students to use creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills to tackle open-ended projects. This year’s Technical Challenge required teams to design and build equipment to assemble and destroy a stack of items, all integrated into a theatrical performance about a character seeking something meaningful. Teams are also evaluated through Instant Challenge, where they must solve an unrehearsed task on the spot using teamwork and innovation.
“This program challenges students to think outside the box and work as a team to solve complex, creative problems,” said Roosevelt Principal Dr. Amy Onyendu. “At Roosevelt, we wanted to give our students a space where they could explore their creativity, collaborate with their peers, and feel empowered to tackle big challenges. DI offered that and more.”
Led by parent volunteer Catherine Schmidt and supported by the Roosevelt PTA, the team includes students Aidric Soss, Roman Schmidt, Knute Haglund, Baer Anderson, Axel Schmidt, and Isla Haglund, ranging from first to fifth grade. Schmidt, a longtime DI volunteer, launched the program after noticing a desire for hands-on, creative STEAM enrichment.
“The open-ended nature of the DI challenges presents an opportunity for kids to learn the creative process while shaping solutions that are entirely theirs,” said Schmidt. “Only the students are allowed to build and perform their solutions. One of our team members asked to learn how to sew, we showed them the basics, and they then designed, measured, and made their costume independently. Another researched pneumatics for a prop. They’ve done it all themselves, and that’s the beauty of DI.”
Participation in Destination Imagination exemplifies the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s (SMMUSD) districtwide commitment to transformative learning, aligned with Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton’s emphasis on curiosity, belonging, and empowerment.
“DI is such a great example of our growth, respect, integrity and tenacity (GRIT) values in action,” said Dr. Onyendu. “Students grow by tackling big challenges, show respect by listening to each other’s ideas, and persevere with tenacity. It also builds a deep sense of belonging. Every team member brings something unique to the table, and they see just how valuable their individual strengths are.”
The Roosevelt PTA played a vital role in supporting the team throughout their inaugural season, and the entire school community rallied around the group.
“I just want to say how proud I am of our students and how grateful I am to everyone who made this possible,” said Dr. Onyendu. “A special thank you to Catherine for her dedication in guiding the team, and to our amazing PTA for their support every step of the way. Watching the team grow and achieve so much has been such a joy.”
The team is now working on logistics to attend the Global Finals and is actively fundraising to help make the trip a reality.
For more information about supporting the team or to connect about starting a DI program at another SMMUSD school, contact Catherine Schmidt at cschmidt@californiacreativity.org.
Best of luck to the Magical Kings and the Mysterious Wizards.
