For the first time

Trout Lake's team of Matthew Dearden, Molly McKinney, Adam Paxson, Tony Peterson, Linnaea Schmid, Peter Schmid and Ian Smith competed in a problem called "A Change in Direction." In this problem the team had to design two different technical devices that could be built from a single set of parts.

During the performance, the team had to use the first device to perform a task, then take apart the first device into at least five separate sections.

Team members then had to transport the parts along a course that featured a change in direction, then reassemble the parts into the second device so that it could perform a second task.

The team also had to create a performance based on an original story that also included a surprising change in direction, and which tied together the devices, the tasks, and the transporting of the parts.

It also had to include three "Side Trips," which could feature anything the team wished to showcase, but which had to relate to the story. The entire presentation had to be performed in eight minutes or less.

The team's solution involved a group of chickens gathered to celebrate Chicken Memorial Day. This setting allows the showcasing of a team-developed spoken and written chicken language, a chicken ballet or interpretive dance which depicts the life of a chicken hero, and a chance to use the technical device once as a flower-watering machine and once to knock over a gravestone. (One of the chickens goes bad.)

The story also features two very b-a-a-a-d peacocks -- or at least until the change in direction reveals them to be members of a Peacock Honor Society who have adopted a graveyard.

Finally, the transportation system involves a double-hulled sailing barge that transports the sections halfway along twin gutters filled with water; the wind power comes from electric fans. The second section involves a gear-reduction windlass pulley system that transports sections along the ground.

This innovative transportation system earned the team a "Da Vinci Award" (given for outstanding creativity, innovation, and risk-taking) at the regional competition.

Due to its victory at the state tournament, Trout Lake's team has won the right to represent Washington (along with winners in other age divisions and problems) at the Global DI Competition in Knoxville, Tenn., in late May.

The team is very excited about this prospect, and is now in the process of attempting to raise approximately $1,000 per person to fund this trip.

If you would like to make a donation to help this outstanding team in reaching its travel goal, checks can be made out and sent to Trout Lake School with Destination Imagination on the memo line. Any and all help will be appreciated.