2024 NY Eastern Regional Tournament
Special Awards
Making a Splash / Rising Stars (Early Learning)
Da Vinci
(134-33817) Lakeland CSD / Baby Koalas, Shrub Oak
Recipient: Entire team
For: For a magical journey down the drain!
Text: This team's creative story and polished performance “washed― the Appraisers away with their original take on an underwater location - the bathtub! The audience was taken on a magical and fun adventure as three bath toys, tired of being dry, ventured down the bathtub drain to take an ocean vacation. While on their journey, a pair of local mermaids took the bath toys to a marvelous Shark Cave that showcased the beauty of their underwater habitat. When these new friends noticed the bathtub drain was left open and causing the Shark Cave to lose water, they quickly worked together to save their beloved grotto. We had so much fun watching this team that we are ready to jump down the drain and join them!
Renaissance
(134-05611) Ossining DI / Rainbow Reef Rescuers, Ossining
Recipient: Entire team
For: Dedication, design, and an immersive world!
Text: This team certainly made a splash! Every aspect of this team’s solution wowed the Appraisers - their craftsmanship, design, performance, and dedication would rival even the most senior Secondary Level teams!
All of the props, scenery, and costumes in this performance were immaculately executed and transported the Appraisers to both the dark, creepy world of the Midnight Zone and the vibrant, beautiful Rainbow Reef. In particular, the Statue of Megalodon showcased both the team’s exceptional technical abilities and their dedication to teaching the audience about the importance of keeping our ocean clean.
This team went above and beyond to create an exceptional solution and their passion for DI was palpable in all components of their presentation. Their performance truly reflected their dedication to solving the Challenge, and everyone in the room could feel the joy this team had when sharing their solution! The Appraisers and audience are sure to remember this performance for years to come.
Spirit of Discovery & Imagination
(134-03553) Bridgehampton UFSD / Team Hedgehogs, Bridgehampton Recipient: Entire team
For: For exceptional teamwork in the face of adversity!
Text: This team showed exemplary resilience when one of the team members became nervous and withdrawn during their presentation. The team seamlessly worked together to create a new story on the fly, while at the same time comforting and caring for their teammate.
The Appraisers were impressed by this team's courage and the ability of the entire team to make sure the show went on! This team is a shining example of how we can solve any challenge when we work together and support one another.
Pinball Heroes / Elementary Level
Renaissance
(134-69684) Ossining DI / Ossining Owls, Ossining
Recipient: Entire team
For: Great design of set and costumes
Text: The team created a detailed scene of New York City that included depictions of Times Square, the Theater District, The Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and an apartment building with working lights. Their attention to detail in every element of their set and costumes (pigeons and dogs) was exceptional and truly added to their story. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and the appraisers loved watching their solution.
Blast From The Past / Secondary Level
Renaissance
(134-95840) Lakeland CSD / D.I.amonds, Shrub Oak
Recipient: Entire team
For: Backdrop engineering
Text: We give this Renaissance award for their ingenuity and execution of the backdrop. The backdrop popped open, wowing the appraisers. The backdrop had a pulley system with springs, rocks, and wheels, and this was all on the backside, so from the front, it just looked like magic.
Blast From The Past / Elementary Level
Renaissance
(134-46068) Sachem CSD / Long Island Natives, Farmingville
Recipient: Entire team
For: Immersive Storytelling Experiences
Text: From the second the story started, we were immersed in this team's world. From the backdrop, to the props, to the song and dance, and the puppet, we were transported to Broadway, in every sense. The backdrop was enormous, detailed, and interactive to take us between scenes from present day to pre-colonial America to "atomsphere." Each of those storytelling moments and settings were cohesive. Next, their puppet was larger than life. Supremely advanced execution of both mechanics and voiceover. Finally, the team's songs and dances were creative, engaging, and totally sychronous. In a story about learning to listen and work together, this team showcased this in their performance abilities and teamwork throughout the show. Bravissima!
Blast From The Past / Middle Level
Da Vinci
(134-00147) Somers CSD / The Roomba Republic, Somers
Recipient: Entire team
For: Balloon Magic
Text: Using a fan, balloon, and some fishing line, this team impressed us with their ability to take their materials and create an outstanding illusion. This team was able to create the ghost of Marco Polo. From the audience, it was wild how the head stayed straight looking out and was able to float in place! It was s really unique way to excecute the puppeteering.Â
In Motion / Elementary Level
Renaissance
(134-56118) Blind Brook-Rye UFSD / Toto-ly Oz-some Girls, Rye Brook Recipient: Entire team
For: The teams "beeutiful" Kinetic Art took us to a lovely summers day and left us wanting something sweet.
Text: The room was "abuzz" with excitement when this team entered the performance space. The story of how we need bees to ensure the earth's survival was told through a sassy fruit bowl brought to life. The Kinetic Art was presented through the clever use of a large umbrella as a base, supporting a rotating tower of at least bees. Two battery operated fans at the base, lazily rotated yellow and black handpainted lanterns, adorned with stingers, wings, and eyes. The movement of the Kinetic Art transported us to an early morning, breezy summer day. Â
In Motion / Middle Level
Da Vinci
(134-40075) Lakeland CSD / Queen Quartet, Shrub Oak
Recipient: Entire team
For: This award is for the beautifully artistic reimagination of the team's Work of Visual Art
Text: >It takes real artistic understanding to completely reinterpret a painting into several different artistic media. Beyond moving, this reimagining of the team's selected work of art was right on the "Monet". The poems and musical interludes that this team created transcended the 2-dimensional canvas and touched the hearts of the appraisers. We were amazed by the deeper meaning the team found in their piece, with a real emotional plea for environmental conservation. Congratulations to this team for capturing the intent of the challenge and going above and beyond in the artistic reimagining.
Going The Distance / Elementary Level
Renaissance
(134-27068) Lakeland CSD / Wonderful Wizards, Shrub Oak
Recipient: Entire team
For:
Text: The Wonderful Wizards “wow!―d us with their beyond wonderful performance today. We walked away from their performance with jaws dropped thanks to the close attention to detail and creative execution of props & overall performance.
This team took us on an immersive trip to their world of candy through crafting three large, unique, scene-defining props AND multiple original songs all while clearly displaying a close attention to detail. We were particularly impressed with the use of materials to make your props (shoutout to using recycled materials, the mechanical nature of your props (shoutout to a working claw, moving candy corns and buttons that bounced back when you pressed them!) and the teams ability to tell such a significant portion of their story through song. Way to go team!
Spirit of Discovery & Imagination
(134-27068) Lakeland CSD / Wonderful Wizards, Shrub Oak
Recipient: Entire team
For:
Text: This team touched our hearts and we cried at their achievments. When the unexpected occurred, the team persevered through the adversity and communicated with each other. Appraisers observed superior non-verbal communication, a clear sign that team members were strongly in tune with each other and helped to pick each other up and maintain motivation to finish the skit. They danced through the tears and empowered each other to keep going. This team embodied what the Spirit of DI award is all about and we proudly award them this honor.