Meet Andrew, Lauren, Amanda, Emily, Tim, Nick, and Jaimie, better known as “The Krispy Kreme Team” because they always sport the Krispy Kreme hats at competitions! DI has helped us in every other extracurricular activity we engage in. Whether it is pulling from our knowledge of teamwork, creativity, or uniqueness we always have certain traits in our back pocket and they are there because of DI.

Traits that involve much more than just acting. Nick explains it's thinking, learning, and patience. Jamie adds that "some of my best qualities can be contributed in the kind of environment that DI proposes.

"Because I have been involved with DI for so many years, it has been a fantastic experience which has allowed me to tap into a side of myself to create and animate anything I want." says senior Andrew. "Also, the feeling you get when your name is called at the national award ceremony is unparalleled!"

Competing together for the past nine years, this veteran team found this year's best DI moment came when the team won the Spirit of DI award. "We believe that it is the highest achievement one can gain from DI in the form of an award!!

This year, our performance is about a Woodpecker flying through the Black Forest in Germany when he hears a beautiful bird sound. He follows the sound into a cottage where he mistakes a Cuckoo Clock bird for the real thing. In his amazement he is tangled in a spider web and as a result flies into the clock (SerenDIpitous Invention). The figurines in the clock revive him from his fall and he decides to stay in the clock while his wing heals and he also hopes to get the Cuckoo bird Wendy to fall in love with him. He decides to change the clock from it’s down home country feel into a modern Sporting Arena. He also tries to impress Wendy by trying to modernize the figurines in the clock including Old Man Woody (wood chopper), The Fish, Barbara & Kenneth (Waltzers), and Widow Octavia (spider). Old Man Woody challenges Leonardo the Woodpecker to a chopping contest and if Leonardo loses the clock has to return to its original form. Leonardo cheats by using a Jigsaw and is caught by Wendy. He then confesses his love, they return the clock back to its original way and everyone lives happily ever after

"We try and support as many VA teams as possible at Globals…WOO! GO VIRGINIA!"

*Secondary Level, 2nd Place: John Handley High School, Winchester, Virginia. Renaissance Award: The Appraisers were impressed by this team's impeccable sense of mechanical detail. Belts, pulleys and motors set off a wood chopper, a water wheel, waves and jumping fish, as well as twirling dancers in a cuckoo clock. This mechanical marvel was a true work of art.