When a team dedicates countless weeks and immense effort to excel in Destination Imagination (DI), every achievement is a testament to their hard work and creativity. Yet, for many teams in our recent competition at Tomken Road M.S., finishing in the top three wasn't enough to be allowed to attend the global finals in Kansas City. This undermines their accomplishments and demotivates the young innovators and challengers.

Destination Imagination is more than just a competition. It's a transformative experience that encourages innovation, creativity, and collaboration among young minds. Securing a top position in such a prestigious competition is no small feat. Every student who achieves this should have the outreach and opportunity to showcase their talents on a global platform. It's heartbreaking to see deserving teams being sidelined due to logistical or administrative constraints.

In previous years, top-ranking teams were consistently invited to the global finals at Kansas City, where they gained invaluable exposure and learned from international peers. The sudden change in qualification criteria this year has not only disappointed many students but also set a concerning precedent for future competitions. It is essential that we uphold the traditions of fairness and opportunity that have long been the cornerstone of DI. 

On behalf of the qualifying teams for Global Finals at Kansas, we ask PDSB to grant permission to attend the competition. We urge the Destination Imagination organization and PDSB to revisit their criteria and ensure that top-performing teams from all regions are allowed to compete in the global finals. These teams deserve recognition and the chance to compete at the highest levels. Let's stand together to ensure fairness and encourage the growth of future innovators.

Please sign this petition to show your support for our dedicated teams and help secure their rightful place in the Kansas City global finals. Together, we can make a difference and give the teams the opportunities they've earned. 

Congratulations to the qualifying schools in Ontario:

Tomken Road M.S.

Zalik Academy & Scarborough

La Mosaïque

Denlow