Last month, students from around the region competed in the annual Destination Imagination (DI) competition in Midland. Most were there with their schools, but one team, the Rocket Rockstars, represented the city of Levelland as an independent team sponsored by Reliant Realty. The Rocket Rockstars placed second overall and will be competing in the state competition.
“I was so happy because this will be my first time going to state,” team member Hollyn Howard, said. “Anna and I were crying almost we were so happy.”
The team was originally formed on a scholarship as a middle level team at Levelland Middle School. After forming the team, they were informed that they would not be able to accept the scholarship, which would dissolve the team. With help from the LISD district DI coordinator, Alexis Gavina, the team members’ parents were able to change the team from a school team to an independent team so they could still compete.
“As we were going into the challenge room, one of our eighth graders was giving the team a pep talk,” team manager, Cindy Niederhauser, said. “She told them to make their sponsor proud and make our community proud. We had the unique opportunity to not only represent the school district but to represent the whole community, and that was the attitude we took into the competition.”
The Rocket Rockstars competed in the Scientific challenge where they were instructed to research a real planet and choose a phenomenon to explain in a short skit where one character thinks they are alone but finds they are not. They also needed to include technobabble, a technobabble depicter, and two elements that showed off their interests and talents. The team worked from Nov. to Feb. to put their skit together.
“My favorite moment was when it was 8 o’clock at night and I finally got the technobabble depicter working again after it stopped working,” team member, Hattie Niederhauser, said. “That made me so happy!”
The team encountered several setbacks but were able to work past them and have fun throughout the process.
“We owe most of it to God,” team member, Elena Guajardo, said. “Without Him, we would not have been able to win. We prayed so much, so I think it was our hard work and God was there.” The team was funded by Jeremiah Gavina and Resolute Realty.
“I was super excited when they placed and earned a spot for state,” Gavina said. “I am happy to continue to help them get to Arlington and pray they can advance to Globals!!”
The Rocket Rockstars will compete at state in Arlington on March 29, where, if they do well, they will have the chance to compete in Kansas City, Missouri for the Global finals.
“The Rocket Rockstars want to thank Resolute Realty and the ex-team managers who lent their expertise to help us on our journey,” Cindy Niederhauser said. If you would like to send congratulations or help support the Rocket Rockstars at the state tournament, you can contact the team manager at rocketrockstars2025@gmail.com.