The first day at global finals the energy is pumping, pins from all over the world are out there to be discovered, traded and bargained for, but best of all…. the most creative kids from over 20 countries are together. A global, creativity melting pot. Every team with their own unique solution to their challenge is preparing to show their best and most creative work to the appraisers. A final opportunity to show them what they’ve got.
By today the majority of the teams have checked into their housing, they’ve been to prop storage to make sure their things arrived safely, maybe practiced a time or two. They’ve checked out the campus, tried to figure out the bus routes and located the Starbucks. Today is a day to relax, prepare and meet. At 3:00 we kicked off the start of Global Finals with a Pep Rally at the Worlds Fair Park. The local high school marching band escorted everyone into the park signaling the start of what will be an exciting four days. There were games, music and plenty for team members to do while the Team Managers were attending their Team Managers meeting.
At 7:00 the Opening Ceremonies began with the Parade of Countries and States. Several teams from each participating country or state was announced into the arena with much fan fair. Colorado’s cheering section was impressive! The team members who marched in are seated on the floor of the arena to view the rest of the ceremony. There were introductions, text voting for the best Team Manager recruiting video produced by a team. The Tom Carmelo Award was presented by his granddaughter and Florence HS team member Ally. The band Mase played a number dedicated to DI and then the laser light show and fireworks began. It was an impressive sight!
On a more serious note, one of the team members from the Escalante MS was seriously injured in a fall tonight. He will be all right but will require a week to ten days in the hospital. We ask that you keep Sam and his family in your thoughts. DIHQ has rescheduled the teams performance for Friday afternoon. The kids are determined to be successful to honor Sam. We’ll all be rooting for them!