Longview, Parkside Creative Pursuits teams win district, represent Murray at state

A team of Longview sixth-graders and a team of Parkside fourth-graders won their respective divisions in the Murray School District Creative Pursuits bowl, and represented Murray at the Nov. 29 state tournament.

Teams from Horizon and McMillan also advanced to state.

Sixth-graders Hannah Duehlmeier, Candelynne Goodall, Whitney Szarek, Rachel Vance and Katarina Winegar created an interactive book about medieval times as well as a three-minute original skit convincing the audience of the importance of the book.

“This definitely was the most challenging year because they needed to come up with 10 different interactive parts of the book,” Longview coach and sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Allred said. “They worked incredibly hard on the book and their presentation after school for almost two months. It impressed me.”

Parkside fourth-graders Abigail Green, Thomas Fetzer, Josie Poulsen and Eli Powell comprised the winning team, “Water Droplets,” with coaches and recorders Elizabeth Smith, Cassidy Tabrizi and Donna Drown.

The book and skit had to be done by students by selecting a topic matching their core curriculum, researching and using at least 10 references.

Another part of the competition is impromptu questioning. At district, students had to name ways to make 35 as well as to show a half-circle with spikes and describe what the configuration could be part of. At state, the questions included ways they could use a twist-tie and the ways people could communicate.

“They encourage students to think outside the box, to have many unique points and choices,” Allred said.

Murray district coordinator Angie Thompson said that although one team may come up with the most answers in the time period, it may not earn the highest score.

“You get more points for any answer that fits in a different category and even more points for answers that are totally unusual, yet sensible,” she said.

Although Murray students didn’t win state, presentation scores were best for Longview on their medieval times skit, McMillan on an animal adaptations skit and Parkside with a water cycle presentation. Horizon’s best score was on their book about a little girl learning about the water cycle.

The desire to compete in Creative Pursuits is great. At Longview, 29 students formed teams and competed to be selected to represent the school at district.

“There’s definitely a need for programs like this. It’s really rewarding for them to think things out, pull things they’ve learned and created together, use teamwork and collaboration skills to create their book and skit. There’s great, life-long lessons here,” Allred said.

Jordan School District Gifted and Talented Specialist Collette Jusetesen, who helped with the state competition, said Creative Pursuits started in the Salt Lake School District in 1979. Other districts were invited to participate so that they would have competitive teams in active, hands-on problem solving.

“It teaches students how to communicate,” Jusetesen said. “It also promotes teamwork and productive thinking skills.”

Murray began competing in Creative Pursuits in 1988, Thompson said.

Representing Horizon were fourth-graders McKae Elredge, Janessa Hansen, Kaylynn Stettler, Cassie Tabrizi and Rachel Wilcox. McMillan fifth-graders include Emily Ebrorn, Abbi Graham, Jenna Nelson, Dallin Jorgensen and Breianna Rodriguez.

Caption — Parkside Elementary’s 4^th-grade team team, “The Water Droplets,” performs their skit at the state Creative Pursuits competition Nov. 29 at Peruvian Park Elementary in Sandy.

Longview, Parkside Creative Pursuits teams win district, represent Murray at state

By Julie Slama

A team of Longview sixth-graders and a team of Parkside fourth-graders won their respective divisions in the Murray School District Creative Pursuits bowl, and represented Murray at the Nov. 29 state tournament.

Teams from Horizon and McMillan also advanced to state.

Sixth-graders Hannah Duehlmeier, Candelynne Goodall, Whitney Szarek, Rachel Vance and Katarina Winegar created an interactive book about medieval times as well as a three-minute original skit convincing the audience of the importance of the book.

“This definitely was the most challenging year because they needed to come up with 10 different interactive parts of the book,” Longview coach and sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Allred said. “They worked incredibly hard on the book and their presentation after school for almost two months. It impressed me.”

Parkside fourth-graders Abigail Green, Thomas Fetzer, Josie Poulsen and Eli Powell comprised the winning team, “Water Droplets,” with coaches and recorders Elizabeth Smith, Cassidy Tabrizi and Donna Drown.

The book and skit had to be done by students by selecting a topic matching their core curriculum, researching and using at least 10 references.

Another part of the competition is impromptu questioning. At district, students had to name ways to make 35 as well as to show a half-circle with spikes and describe what the configuration could be part of. At state, the questions included ways they could use a twist-tie and the ways people could communicate.

“They encourage students to think outside the box, to have many unique points and choices,” Allred said.

Murray district coordinator Angie Thompson said that although one team may come up with the most answers in the time period, it may not earn the highest score.

“You get more points for any answer that fits in a different category and even more points for answers that are totally unusual, yet sensible,” she said.

Although Murray students didn’t win state, presentation scores were best for Longview on their medieval times skit, McMillan on an animal adaptations skit and Parkside with a water cycle presentation. Horizon’s best score was on their book about a little girl learning about the water cycle.

The desire to compete in Creative Pursuits is great. At Longview, 29 students formed teams and competed to be selected to represent the school at district.

“There’s definitely a need for programs like this. It’s really rewarding for them to think things out, pull things they’ve learned and created together, use teamwork and collaboration skills to create their book and skit. There’s great, life-long lessons here,” Allred said.

Jordan School District Gifted and Talented Specialist Collette Jusetesen, who helped with the state competition, said Creative Pursuits started in the Salt Lake School District in 1979. Other districts were invited to participate so that they would have competitive teams in active, hands-on problem solving.

“It teaches students how to communicate,” Jusetesen said. “It also promotes teamwork and productive thinking skills.”

Murray began competing in Creative Pursuits in 1988, Thompson said.

Representing Horizon were fourth-graders McKae Elredge, Janessa Hansen, Kaylynn Stettler, Cassie Tabrizi and Rachel Wilcox. McMillan fifth-graders include Emily Ebrorn, Abbi Graham, Jenna Nelson, Dallin Jorgensen and Breianna Rodriguez.