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"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1  

I’ve heard that you could learn a lot about someone by examining the contents of his/her automobile. If someone was to look inside your car right now, what would they learn about you?  

Last week, if you had the opportunity to examine the contents of Mr. Jeremy Groat, Mr. Jason Nichols, Mr. John Strain, Mrs. Amy Hawn-Smith, Mrs. White, Mrs. Trowbridge, Mrs. Strain, or my own car, you would quickly be able to determine between the numerous rolls of duct tape, game show wheels, shadow screens, palm trees, cardboard boxes, and even a volcano that we are DI coaches!!!

Since 1998, St. Matthew Lutheran School has participated in the after school problem solving program entitled “Destination Imagination", whose mission statement reads “We inspire young people to imagine and innovate today so that they become the creative and collaborative leaders of tomorrow.” Through this program, students work together in teams to solve open-ended STEAM challenges intended to teach the creative learning process. Designed to be totally student driven, children develop and test their own solutions, learn from their failures, and celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.

Throughout our twenty nine years of DI history, we have experienced tremendous blessings from this program. On March 14, 2026, St. Matthew had five teams represent our school during the Destination Imagination State Tournament, which was held at the Albion College campus.

Listed below are the results:

• 1st/2nd Grade Rising Stars do not formally compete but they did an awesome job solving their challenge.
• 4th/5th Grade Team (Mr. Groat and Mr. Nichols) 5th place!
• 3rd Grade Team (Mrs. Hawn-Smith, Mrs. White, and Mrs. Trowbridge) 3rd place!
• 3rd Grade Team (Mrs. Strain) 2nd place and Global qualifier!
• 5th Grade Team (Mr. Strain) 1st place and Global qualifier!

As Global Qualifiers, our two teams are now discerning if they will participate at the Global Finals where approximately 1400 children from forty five states and fourteen countries will have the ability to compete. This event will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, during May 21 - 24.  

We thank and praise God for these incre-DI-ble accomplishments!

In Jesus’ Love,

Mrs. Palka