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Orchard Park Central School District

Imagine. Create. Challenge.

Orchard Park's local hub for Destination Imagination — where Quaker students explore creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving at every grade level.

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Season
2025–26 · Registration Closed
What is DI?

The Creative Problem-Solving Tournament

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Team Challenges

Teams of up to 7 students choose from 7 unique challenge categories — from engineering to fine arts — and spend months building, rehearsing, and preparing a live presentation.

Instant Challenges

Behind closed doors, teams tackle short spontaneous tasks that test quick thinking, collaboration, and creativity under pressure — no prep time, just raw imagination.

🌍

From OP to Globals

Teams compete Regional → State → Global levels. Orchard Park teams have consistently represented our community with pride all the way to Global Finals.

2025–26 Season

Choose Your Challenge

🔬 Scientific
⚙️ Technical
🎨 Fine Arts
🎭 Improvisational
💚 Community Service
🏗️ Engineering
⭐ Rising Stars (K–2)

Visit destinationimagination.org for full challenge descriptions and rules.

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Ready to Jump In?

2025–26 Season

Team Registration

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Registration is Closed

Registration for the 2025–2026 school year is now closed. Please check back next fall for the 2026–2027 season, or contact us if you have questions.

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You're Registered!

Thank you! Our coordinator will reach out within 2–3 business days to confirm your spot and next steps.

Go Quakers!


Our Program

About OP DI

Who We Are

Orchard Park DI is the local affiliate of Destination Imagination for the Orchard Park Central School District. We serve students from all six district schools — Kindergarten through 12th grade — in a structured environment where curiosity and creativity thrive.

Our volunteer Team Managers, appraisers, and program coordinators dedicate countless hours to make this experience possible for our Quaker students every year.

Our Schools

🏫 OP High School (9–12)
🏫 OP Middle School (6–8)
🎒 Eggert Elementary
🎒 Ellicott Elementary
🎒 South Davis Elementary
🎒 Windom Elementary

Key Dates — 2025–26 Season

  • FEB 28
    Western NY Regional Tournament
    Clarence Middle School
  • MAR 28
    New York State Finals
    SUNY Broome Community College
  • MAY 22–25
    Global Finals
    Kansas City, MO

Contact Us

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Message Sent!

We'll get back to you within a couple of days. Thank you!

Meet the Teams

2025–26 Team Showcase

All 22 Orchard Park DI teams competing this season — grouped by challenge. Go Quakers!

🎭 Casting Shadows

Challenge D
🎭 Elementary
The Wild Ones
Casting Shadows · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Clark, Groff, Sun
🎭 Middle School
Six Degrees of Separation
Casting Shadows · Middle School
Team Manager(s): Minor

🦸 Becoming Super

Challenge C
🦸 Elementary
The Super Nuggies
Becoming Super · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Franjoine
🦸 Elementary
Oompa Loompas
Becoming Super · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Gaetanos
🦸 Middle School
Worcestershire Sauce
Becoming Super · Middle School
Team Manager(s): Becker
🦸 High School
52 and a Half Owls In a Bag
Becoming Super · High School
Team Manager(s): Worang-Zizzi

⭐ Helping Hands

Rising Stars
Rising Stars
Team Panda
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): Mahon
Rising Stars
Construction Crushers
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): Boettrich, Marshall
Rising Stars
Thunder Kittens
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): Di Francesco, May
Rising Stars
The Spirited Seven
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): Gill, Issa
Rising Stars
Cow Red Pizza
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): McCarthy, Roman
Rising Stars
Strawberry Creepers Level 100
Helping Hands · Rising Stars
Team Manager(s): Barnhart, Lupiani

🏆 Win It Big

Challenge A
🏆 Elementary
The Space Ducks
Win It Big · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Clancy
🏆 Elementary
Star Wars Superstars
Win It Big · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Gladysz
🏆 Elementary
MEVs
Win It Big · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Boals, Worang-Zizzi
🏆 Elementary
NeuroDIvergent
Win It Big · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Wojciechowski, Ziccarelli
🏆 Middle School
Atomic Poultry
Win It Big · Middle School
Team Manager(s): Clancy, Eye
🏆 Middle School
Meatball Brigade
Win It Big · Middle School
Team Manager(s): Laughlin, McGraw, Schunke

🎬 Unforgettable

Challenge B
🎬 Middle School
The Flying Seals
Unforgettable · Middle School
Team Manager(s): Zimmerman

🚀 Above and Beyond

Challenge E
🚀 Elementary
King Dragons
Above and Beyond · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Kiggins, McGreevy
🚀 Elementary
Brick Breakers
Above and Beyond · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Capowski, Nadler, Pattison
🚀 Elementary
Deep Thinkers
Above and Beyond · Elementary
Team Manager(s): Lohiser

22 teams · 6 challenges · One incredible season. Good luck to all our Quaker teams! 🏆

Get Involved

Volunteer with Orchard Park DI

DI runs entirely on the generosity of volunteer parents, educators, and community members. Here's how you can help.

🧭

Team Manager

Guide a team of up to 7 students through the season-long challenge. You don't solve the problems — you facilitate, encourage, and ensure students are set up to do their best creative work.

Most Needed
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Tournament Appraiser

Evaluate teams at Regional or State tournaments using DI scoring criteria. Appraiser training is provided. A great way to give back without a season-long commitment.

One-Day Commitment
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Tournament Volunteer

Help run the Regional tournament hosted in Western NY — setup, check-in, staging, concessions, and more. No training required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to help!

Event Day Help
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Program Coordinator Support

Help with communications, website updates, social media, fundraising logistics, or administrative tasks behind the scenes. Flexible and can often be done remotely.

Flexible / Remote

Interested in volunteering? Reach out and we'll get you connected with the right role!

Community Partners

Our Sponsors

We are grateful to the local businesses and community organizations that make Orchard Park DI possible every year.

Become a Sponsor

Sponsoring Orchard Park DI is a meaningful way to invest in local students while gaining visibility in our community. All sponsors are recognized on this website, in tournament programs, and at our events.

New to DI?

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about participating in Destination Imagination through Orchard Park. Can't find your answer? Reach out — we're happy to help!

What is Destination Imagination?
Destination Imagination (DI) is a global educational program that teaches students creative problem-solving, teamwork, and project management. Teams of up to 7 students spend months preparing a solution to a challenge they've chosen, then present it at a tournament alongside a spontaneous "Instant Challenge." Over 1.5 million participants compete worldwide each year.
What ages / grades can participate?
DI is open to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. There are four competition levels — Rising Stars (K–2), Elementary (3–5), Middle Level (6–8), and Secondary (9–12). Rising Stars is a non-competitive, introductory experience designed specifically for our youngest students.
What are the different challenge types?
Each season, DI releases 7 challenges across different categories: Scientific, Technical, Engineering, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Community Service, and Rising Stars. Teams choose one challenge and spend months developing their solution. Challenge details are released each fall on the DI website.
How is DI different from other competitions?
DI is unique because the solution must come entirely from the students — no adult interference is allowed on the team challenge solution. This isn't about finding the "right" answer; it's about developing original, creative solutions. There are no kits, no scripted steps, and no shortcuts. The entire creative process is the students' own.
How many students are on a team?
Teams have a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 7 students. Most competitive teams have 5–7 members. If you have fewer than 2, or want to find students to join, contact us — we can help connect families who are looking to form teams.
What is a Team Manager? Do I have to be one?
A Team Manager is an adult (usually a parent) who organizes logistics, facilitates team meetings, and ensures the team follows DI rules. Crucially, Team Managers do NOT solve problems for students — DI rules strictly prohibit "interference." Each team needs at least one Team Manager. Training and support is provided, and it's a wonderfully rewarding experience!
Can students from different schools be on the same team?
Yes! Mixed-school teams are allowed and quite common. If your child has friends from another OP school or grade level who want to compete together, they're welcome to form a team as long as all students are enrolled in the Orchard Park Central School District.
How much does it cost to participate?
Costs typically include a team registration fee (roughly $80–$130 depending on division) and materials for building your challenge solution. Travel costs are additional if your team advances to State or Global Finals. Our program has a small assistance fund — if cost is a barrier, please contact us confidentially and we'll do everything we can to help.
When does registration close?
Registration for the 2025–26 season closes in late November 2025. We strongly encourage registering early — spots and Team Manager availability can be limited. Teams that register early have more time to prepare and tend to have a better overall experience.
Is there financial assistance available?
Yes. We believe every Orchard Park student who wants to participate should be able to. Through donations and sponsor support, we maintain a small financial assistance fund. Please reach out through our contact form — all inquiries are handled with complete confidentiality.
How do tournaments work?
Teams compete at three levels: Regional, State, and Global. At each tournament, teams present their pre-prepared Team Challenge solution in front of trained appraisers, then separately complete an Instant Challenge behind closed doors. Scores from both are combined, and top teams advance. Our Regional is typically held in late February or early March at a Western NY venue.
Can parents and family watch at tournaments?
Yes — Team Challenge presentations are open for spectators! However, Instant Challenges are closed-room (only team members and the appraiser are present). Tournaments are festive, community events and family attendance is encouraged. Bring your Quaker spirit!
What if our team doesn't advance?
Every team that competes at the Regional tournament receives a full experience — feedback from appraisers, the camaraderie of the DI community, and the pride of having built something from scratch. DI emphasizes the journey, not just the destination. Many families tell us that non-advancing years were their most memorable!

Still have questions?

We're happy to chat — whether you're a first-time family or a seasoned DI veteran with something specific to ask.