Looking Back - Thoughts and Images of Tennessee

As a parent and chaperone, coming off of what were the busiest three weeks of my life, I was uncertain how to feel about the experience we were about to share, seven kids and five adults, all headed to Tennessee for a week of challenge and mayhem and whatever else the world might throw at us. I heard the rumors of what to expect, as if there were some way to accurately relate the fact that 15,000 kids were taking over the city of Knoxville for a week. What I discovered in Tennessee was nothing short of amazing, having the honor to accompany seven very intelligent, highly amusing human beings, all of whom are well on their way to becoming fully functioning adults. And the 18th place finish in the world is totally cool in its own right, figuring thousands of teams began this journey in October. It gives me hope to know that there is still light in this world, and that some kids do want to make it a better place. And it makes me inestimably proud to know that our school supports programs like Destination Imagination, giving me cause and reason to remain where we are with our school choice. I hope you enjoy these photographs, and can feel even just a small fraction of the hopefulness such programs like this inspire in the kids they benefit.

Craig and the Bogey Bandits


Here are some photos and videos for your to enjoy from our trip (be sure to scroll all the way down, we have a surprise for you that you won't want to miss):

Looking Back - Thoughts from the Team Manager

Destination Imagination is what's known as a process program. The main objective is not to win, necessarily, it's about the process and the journey. And what a journey it's been. Immediately after state, our journey to globals began with the discovery that 20 rolls of our specialty duct tape had gone missing. Challenge number one, with limited funds, was how to replace our much-needed tape. Fortunately, Michael's in Woodbury was willing to give us duct tape at cost, and several 3M connections came through to save the day with donations.

Next up was the massive undertaking of how to raise $11,000 in just over three weeks. At the beginning of the DI season, there are over 16,000 teams competing to advance to globals. Just over 5 percent of teams actually make it all the way, so chances are pretty slim that a team will move on. With the daunting fundraising task ahead of us, it was very disheartening to get two rejections from major funding sources. Instead of the relief of having financial support, we learned that we now had to forge ahead with plans B,C,D, and E. Good thing we're a creative problem-solving team.

 DImes for DI was first out of the chute. Thanks, fellow LNFIers, for offering your spare change. A few coins here, a few coins there, made a huge difference. Parent, Craig Schultz, came up with the brilliant idea to bake bread and sell it at parent pick-up Wednesdays after school. With the help of Ann Malm (female chaperone extraordinaire) taking orders, Rebecca Foss as a helper, and the DI sisters Karina, Loretta, and Olivia, this was a very successful fundraiser for us. Merci! How he mixed dough and baked 100 loaves of bread a day, I will never know. The auction - thanks for stopping by our booth and listening to our story. You gave very generously that night. A last-minute money-making opportunity was the Davanni's night. On short notice, many of you showed up to support our team. What a great turnout.

Finally, there was our appeal for direct donations. Our friends and families really stepped up. In addition, we had some corporate sponsorships through Ecolab and Deluxe. That was a HUGE help. We also cannot forget the one person who anonymously gave $2,000. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our little team of creative problem-solvers managed to raise all funds needed in just over 3 weeks. It would have been nice to be able to properly prepare the team for the globals experience instead of raising funds 24/7, but again, it's all part of the process and we learned a lot.

The bus journey to Tennessee began in Woodbury, where Dr. Lawson, our biggest cheerleader, came to see us off. Her help and guidance were unparalleled in navigating the school's and the district's policies. With her trusty sidekick, Kris Blomgren's help, the paperwork and formality side of things went very smoothly. We boarded the bus and met our bus mates from Cloquet, Proctor, and Hermantown. They quickly became our new friends and we supported each other at our performances.

Teamwork - another important componant of DI - was all around us. Whether it was helping each other carry luggage and props, looking together for lost items, or caring for a team member who was feeing under the weather, we stuck together. With either our red berets or our black and gold Napoleon hats and our matching t-shirts for every day of the week, people knew our team was coming and often stopped to watch us walk by. Many asked where we were from and the kids always proudly answered L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion in St. Paul, MN.

Our performance, the reason we were at globals (or was it?) went extremely well. Of any performance we saw, our kids out-performed any other team. Our vocal projection in the cavernous field house was far superior to any other team. Some teams traveled from around the world and you couldn't hear a word they said. Not so with us, we were loud and clear. The appraisers marveled at our golf ball delivery device, our crocheted items, and the way we integrated themes into our story. The one area where we could have improved was the weight held ratio of our structure, which is where you get the most points, However, I'd much rather be known as an extremely well-rounded team than a one-trick pony. Had we had more time to focus on globals preparation, I'm confident we could have significantly improved the ratio, however, it's all part of the learning process.

 As I write this on the bus back to Minnesota, I can't help but think what a wonderful experience this has been for the kids. They have learned and experienced so much thanks to your generosity. I hope you have enjoyed following our exploits via the BogeyBanditBlog managed by Craig Rot, who has been indispensable through this whole ride. I'd also be remiss if I did not mention Madame Tran's calming/gentle influence on the group. And who knew she was so funny?

Lastly, we tried to deliver hand-written thanks yous to everyone who supported us. If, for some reason, we overlooked you, we sincerely apologize. We tried our best to note everyone's names and addresses, but we may have missed a few of you in the craziness of the past month. Please know that we truly appreciate everything you have given, whether you bought bread, donated dimes, purchased pizza or just gave from your hearts. We couldn't have gone through this process and on this journey without you.

Jane and the Bogey Bandits

Journée 7 - Lucas

Notre semaine était très chargée! Ca a commencé lundi quand nous avons quitté Woodbury, MN pour aller à Knoxville, Tennessee. Nous sommes arrivés le lendemain après un long trajet très inconfortable dans le bus. Mercredi nous avons participé à un camp, Cake Boss, et le soir, on a eu la cérémonie d'ouverture de DI Globals 2012. Le jeudi nous avons eu notre défi de Instant Challenge qui était très difficile, et puis le bal costumé de duct tape le soir. Vendredi nous avons eu notre défi central Hold-It pendant l'après -midi, ensuite nous somme allés nager dans la piscine le soir. Samedi nous avons visité le musée d'art et la chocolaterie, puis nous avons participé à la cérémonie de fermeture ce soir-là. Après il y avait une fête avec beaucoup de "pin trading" et à minuit nous sommes partis pour un autre long voyage dans le même bus pour rentrer chez nous.


Nous voudrons remercier Dr. Lawson, Mme Blomgren, Mme Bissoy, Mme O'Connor, et M. Shulz pour leur appui et leurs efforts. Nous voudrons aussi remercier tous les donateurs et tout le monde qui a acheté le pain et toutes les familles qui nous ont montré leur appui et encouragement. Sans vous ce voyage n'aurait pas été possible.


Merci pour avoir soutenu les Bogey Bandits!


Lucas et les Bogey Bandits


We had a very busy week, which began Monday, when we left Woodbury for Knoxville, Tennesee. We arrived the next day, after a very uncomfortable bus ride. Wednesday we went to a camp called Cake Boss, and at night, we had the opening ceremony. Thursday we had our instant challenge, which was very difficult, and then the duct tape ball that night. Friday we had our main challenge, which was in the afternoon, and then we went swimming that evening. Saturday we went to the art museum and the chocolate factory and then we had the closing ceremony that night. There was a closing party and a lot of pin trading and then we got on the bus at midnight, for another long bus ride home.

We want to thank Dr. Lawson, Mme. Blomgren, Mme. Bissoy, Mme. O’Connor, and M. Shulz, for all of their support and hard work. And we want to especially thank all of the donors and the bread buyers and the families that supported us and encouraged us. Without you, this trip would not have been possible.

Thank you for your support of the Bogey Bandits!

Lucas and the Bogey Bandits.

Journée 6 - Armel

Ce matin on a fait la grasse matinée et on s’est réveillé à 8h45 et puis nous sommes allés au petit déjeuner. Après nous sommes allés au musée d’art pour voir de l’art. C’était bien cool dehors où il y avait des statues d’hommes debout et assis et au milieu il y avait des bancs placés dans un cercle. C’était bien d’être dans le musée avec la clim comme il faisiat déjà 91 degrés ce matin! Puis nous somme allés dans une chocolaterie où j’ai acheté du chocolat en forme de chat. Puis on a acheté d’autres pins pour échanger. Dans l’après-midi nous sommes allés nager un peu avant le diner. Et maintenant on va à la cérémonie de fermeture des Globals.

Today we slept in until 8:45 then we went to breakfast. After that we went to the Knoxville Museum of Art where we saw some cool art inside and outside too. There were some cool statues of people standing and sitting in a courtyard with benches in a circle in the middle. It was nice and cool inside the museum as it was already 91 degrees this morning! Then we went next door to visit the chocolate factory where I, Armel, got a chocolate cat. Then we bought some more pins to trade. Then we went down to put our stuff in the bus early. After that we had an hour break then we went swimming. After swimming we went to dinner and now we’re off to the Closing Ceremony.

Armel and the Bogey Bandits

Journée 5 - Simon

Ce matin, nous sommes allés voir une présentation d'une équipe de lycéens qui faisaient le "News to Me", celui où on doit faire de l'improvisation. Nous y sommes allés parce que la coach de l’ équipe est la cousine de Madame Lagos. L'équipe était très cool. Ils pouvaient imiter n'importe quelle personne et n'importe quelle chose. L'après-midi, nous avons presenté notre défi "Hold It". Nous avons tous pensé que ça s'est très bien passé. Notre structure a tenu 425 livres plus les balles de golfe avec un total de 840 lbs. C'était 325 de plus qu’à la compétition de l'état. Après ça, nous sommes allés au centre aquatique de l'université et nous avons échangé beaucoup de pins.


This morning we went to see a high school level challenge called "News to Me." This is an improv challenge where they make up most of their skit on the spot. We went to this challenge because the team manager is Madame Lagos's cousin from Wisconsin. The teenagers were very funny. They could imitate almost anything or anyone with their bodies. This afternoon we performed our "Hold It" Challenge. We all think it went very well. Our 38-gram structure held 425 pounds plus we got an additional 840 pounds of credit for the golf balls we successfully delivered into the structure. This was 325 pounds better than we did at state. The judges especially liked our golf ball delivery device, saying it was one of the best they had seen. And, they seemed very impressed with our crocheted items and our homemade golf clubs. They appreciated how we worked everything together into our story. We'll find out tomorrow how we did. Finally, we ended the day with some swimming at the UT aquatic center and some pin trading. We'd like to thank all of our families for working so hard to get us to Globals to represent LNFI. We appreciate everything you have done to help us. Simon and the Bogey Bandits

Journée 4 - Jade

Aujourd’hui on est allé au problème “Instant Challenge”. Après “Instant Challenge” on doit faire un TA DA: c’est un petit spectacle après le problème. L’équipe doit faire une danse devant l’ audience. Nous avons crié chaque lettre du mot Minnesota et nous avons demandé à l’audience de répéter chaque lettre après puis nous avons jeté nos bérets en l’air à la fin.

Après le déjeuner nous sommes allés voir des présentations de Hold It à Knoxville Convention Center, puis nous avons répété notre présentation plusieurs fois là.

Ensuite nous somme rentrés pour préparer nos costumes pour le Bal de Duct Tape. J’ai fait une robe un peu déchirée en bas avec du duct tape vert-marron, et des oreilles de lapin pour ma tête. 

Après le diner, nous avons marché vers Thomson Boling Arena pour le bal costumé. J’ai vu une personne déguisée en Katniss, beaucoup de gens en Star Wars, beaucoup de belles robes. Les jeunes dansaient avec la musique d’un DJ qui donnait des prix aux meilleurs danseurs. On est resté l`jusqu’à 9h 30! C’était très excitant!

LNFI, vous nous manquez beaucoup! Merci à tout le monde, Dr. Lawson, les profs, le staff, et les élèves, nos amis!

Jade et les Bogey Bandits

Today we had our “instant challenge”; our team went into a room to solve a problem during about 5 minutes. After that we had to do a TA DA; it’s a little show that the team presents in front of an audience. We spelled Minnesota and got the crowd to repeat each letter after us, then we threw up our berets in the air at the end.

After lunch, we went to watch other performances and we had to work on our performance; we practiced several times to make sure we had loud voices because we will performing in a very large warehouse-type building.

Then we went back to our dorm to work on our duct tape costume for tonight’s ball. I made a dress with rabbit ears with green/brown duct tape.

After dinner we walked to Thomson Boling Arena where we saw thousands of people dressed in duct tape of all colors. I saw someone in a Katniss costume, lots of people in Star Wars costumes, many different types of dresses, boys dressed in tuxedos all made of duct tape! We danced with a live DJ. The music was exciting. We came back around 9:30 to go to bed.

LNFI, we miss you! Thank you to everyone, Dr. Lawson, teachers and staff, students and all our friends for your support!

Lucas and Craig before the challenge.

Team meeting.

The Bandits boogie to release some tension.

Still doing it, even Mme. Lagos.

Simon and the Boogie Bandits.

Jade and the Bogey Bandits.

Journée 3 - Eric

Salut tout le monde au Minnesota.

Nous revenons d’une journée super chouette à Knoxville!

Tout d’abord nous avons participé à un camp super amusant qui s’appelle “Cake Boss””, où nous avons pratiqué toutes sortes de “instant challenges” très créatifs. Puis un membre de notre équipe a perdu son sac, mais une équipe bien gentille d’Abilene, Texas, l’a trouvé et nous a trouvé pout le rendre. Merci! Puis nous avons déjeuné à World’s Fair Park. La foire mondiale s’est déroulé à Knoxville il y a 30 ans. Ensuite on a fait du “pin trading” encore.

Le pep rally global était notre prochaine étape, où nous avons fait un autre instant challenge. Notre vrai instant challenge sera pour demain, alors c’étaient de bonnes préparations pour nous. A notre retour vers nos dortoirs il y a eu une grande averse! Nous étions tout mouillés!

Après un diner plus tôt que normal, nous avons marché vers Thompson Boling Arena où les Tennessee Volonteers jouent au basketball. C’était pour la cérémonie d’ouverture de DI Globals! J’ai eu l’honneur d’être le représentant de mon équipe pour marcher dans le défilé avec le groupe du Minnesota. On a aussi montré un clip des Bogey Bandits dansant le cancan sur l’énorme écran!

Un bonjour special à nos nouveaux amis de EABJM à Paris. Vous nous manquez beaucoup. Je vais goûter les grits (maïs concassé et bouilli) demain.

Eric et les Bogey Bandits.

The team practices an Instant Challenge at the MN booth.

The stadium erupts in confetti at the close of the ceremony.

Eric coming up from the floor after representing his team.

Tennessee and the DI mascot.

The Minnesota delegation, including Eric.

A packed stadium for the opening ceremony.

Glow sticks!

Hi everyone back in Minnesota, We just came back from a great day in Knoxville. First, we did a super-fun camp called "Cake Boss," where we got to practice all sorts of creative instant challenges. Then, one of us lost a backpack, but a nice team from Abilene, TX found it and tracked us down. Merci! Next, we had lunch at World's Fair Park. The World's Fair was in Knoxville 30 years ago. More pin trading followed. The global pep rally was next on our list, where we did another Instant challenge. Our instant challenge is tomorrow, so it was good practice for us. On our way back to the dorms, we got caught in a downpour. After an early dinner, we walked to Thompson Boling Arena where the Tennessee Volunteers play basketball. It was time for the Opening Ceremony. I had the honor of being the member of our team to walk in with the Minnesota group. They also showed a video of The Bogey Bandits dancing the cancan on the big screen. A special hello to our new French friends from EABJM in Paris. We miss you. I'm going to try grits tomorrow. Eric and The Bogey Bandits

Some Photographs from Tennessee

I thought I would post some photographs from our adventures yesterday, which included pin trading (actually, "pin fencing" might be a more appropriate term), roaming around the University of Tennessee campus, letter writing, and dancing. Yes, dancing. The Bogey Bandits proved themselves to be prolific dancers who had no problem getting up on stage and shaking their groove things (or whatever phrase connotes "uncoordinated and often spastic movements that do not necessarily align themselves to any semblance of musical rhythm"). It was great fun for the kids, and even greater fun for the parents and teachers to witness their gaiety. And this is a good thing, because tomorrow is our Instant Challenge, and from what we've learned, tears and vomit are no strangers to this event.

- Craig

The team was on TV no more than seven steps from the bus.

The first of many dances, the can-can.

Lucas in one of the hamster wheels.

Our home this week, Reese Hall.

Tennessee out front of the dorms.

Armel, Soren and Eric plotting their trades.

Your 2012 Bogey Bandits

The view from where the Bandits will be performing.

Luke and Mme. Tran.

Honest Simon, sans duct-tape beard.

Eric working on the structure.

Lucas showing off his moves.

Soren coming off the dance floor.

The boys finishing the night off right, with the can-can.