Bluefield College claims as part of its mission that it is an institution that prepares innovative learners, who think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt readily to a changing world.
If the six BC students who recently participated in Destination Imagination’s 2010 Global Finals competition are any evidence of that argument, then the college certainly is fulfilling its mission and more.
Micah Denton, Brooke Durham, Ben King, Della Limbert, Steven Mahood, and Ben Shumate recently represented Bluefield College in the Destination Imagination Global Finals at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where more than 1,000 teams of various ages and competitive levels participated in contests of creativity, teamwork, and problem solving, and against the likes of 19 other university level squads, the Bluefield College students earned second place in the global event.
In a challenge called “You’re Gonna Flip,” the BC students created an original story with a “flip” or change of opinion or point of view using a team-created puppet and a piece of live visual art to dramatize the story.
“Part of their challenge was to successfully build and manipulate a puppet that interacted with the team members,” said Michelle Shumate, a parent advisor for the BC team. “They had to plan a skit that incorporated a live demonstration of an art form, and our team chose charcoal sketching. There were other requirements that included set building, costuming, and writing.”
The BC students also had to complete an Instant Challenge as part of the competition, where they solved in just a few minutes a puzzle that used an electrical schematic to turn on and off various lights and noises at particular times.
Destination Imagination (DI) is a non-profit organization that provides educational programs that teach creativity, teamwork, and problem solving for more than 100,000 students in the United States and 30 other countries. Every year, DI students of all ages work in teams to solve mind-bending challenges and to present solutions at local, state, regional and global tournaments.
The Bluefield College students earned a spot in the Global Finals of Destination Imagination 2010 after earning honors at both state and regional levels.
Team member Denton is a forensics science major at Bluefield College. A rising sophomore from Tazewell, VA, he has participated in Destination Imagination for four years and has competed in DI Global Finals three years.
While not a Bluefield College student, Durham of Bluefield, WV, participates on the BC DI team. She has been involved in Destination Imagination for three years and has competed in Global Finals two years.
King, a Bluefield College accounting major from Hampton, VA, is a first-year DI participant and a first-time Global Finals competitor.
Limbert, a BC communications major from Lititz, PA, also is a first-time DI participant and Global Finals competitor. She also participates in BC Theatre on campus.
Mahood, a HEARTH Homeschool student from Bluefield, VA, is a freshman chemistry major at Bluefield College. He has participated in DI for eight years and has competed in Global Finals three years.
Ben Shumate, a junior from Bluefield, WV, is an accounting major at Bluefield College. A BC Student Ambassador, he has participated in DI for seven years and Global Finals three years.
Michelle Shumate, mother to BC Destination Imagination team member Ben Shumate and an advisor to the group, has coached teams in six DI Global Finals. She is a team manager for the HEARTH Homeschool Association and a member of the Destination Imagination Virginia State Board.