DISC is the current embodiment of the booster affiliate founded in 1996 by a sometimes rowdy, but always ready, group of volunteers that communicated largely through the internet and met up once a year at the annual international tournament. They vowed to provide a safe place on the web, where creative problem solvers of all ages could try out ideas, concepts and thoughts without fear of ridicule. They became known as “VOMBO” and adopted “Vombie” the penguin as their beloved mascot. They fostered the ideal that through open communications and shared knowledge, the entire world could become part of a team in which the end goal would be “to make the world a better place in which to live.” In 2007, VOMBO became DISC, taking on a name that more clearly identified with Destination ImagiNation, Inc.

Over the years, the support group became known for its sponsorship of increDIble, interactive events like the Team Managers & Officials Competition and The Really Big Duct Tape Thing at Global Finals- as well as for providing the creative problem solving community with various e-group forums such as the “dini” list, which offered support, encouragement, and resources to Team Managers. They also relieved stress each year with their invention of a Pre-Globals “Silly Season.

Since Racey Relay, the first TM&O by VOMBO in 1999, participants have glimpsed Silly Grins Island, booed the evil Dr. ImagiNo, flown with Grandpa Vombie, rock and rolled their penguin bests at the VOMBIE Hop, & DISC-O’ed the night away.

And what better way to memorialize all the hard work put into the solutions at Global Finals than with DUCT TAPE!?!  The Really Big Duct Tape Thing is a monument to creativity and imagination, built by teams using the various (and sometimes hilarious!) elements from the hundreds of solutions presented at Global Finals.

It was not all just about fun and games, though. This committed group’s most important responsibility and contribution to the community became their creation of a unique scholarship program which emphasized our high school seniors’ and college attendees’ continued involvement in the program and the manner in which they demonstrated their creativity and/or service in their scholarship entry.  The stewardship of DI Scholarships has required countless hours raising the funds necessary, and devising the process by which they are awarded to deserving creative DI participants around the world.  This major volunteer undertaking has been accomplished primarily through the sale of pins, t-shirts, and their offering of a soft, cuddly penguin pal at the Global event each year.

These days, DISC members work year round, designing “Committed”, “DeDICated”, and/or TM&O collector’s pins,  DIveloping the TM&O challenges for Global Finals, accepting and reviewing essay, presentation, and internet submissions for scholarships, and raising money to fund those scholarships.  This year, as in years past, the Committee expects to award $10,000 in scholarships to deserving applicants thanks to the continued generosity and financial support of the Destination Imagination® community.

In 2007, in addition to the scholarships awarded to essay, presentation, and internet submissions, the committee established the VOMBO Founders Award in recognition and appreciation of the VOMBO founding members’ groundbreaking efforts.  The award will be given annually to the applicant that best exemplifies the spirit of VOMBO through volunteering in support of Destination ImagiNation and its mission. The 2007 VOMBO Founders Award was given in memory of charter VOMBO member and longtime Destination ImagiNation volunteer, Cy Richard.

VOMBO Founders Award, $500
Sarah Spiegelman, Centennial, CO

$1250 DISC Award
Siobhan Kirkpatrick, Helena, MT (Presentation)

$1000 DISC Award
James Fontaine, Miamisburg, OH (Presentation)

$750 DISC Award
Sarah Spiegelman, Centennial, CO (Essay)
Stephen Oi, Brentwood, TN (Presentation)
Landon Owen, Carrollton, TX (Presentation)

$500 DISC Award
Christopher Whitney, Rindge, NH (Essay)
James Fontaine, Miamisburg, OH (Essay)
Keelan Runnalls, Germantown, WI (Essay)
Siena Baldi, Libertyville, IL (Presentation)
Maxwell Grossnickle, Denver, CO (Essay)
Elizabeth Newell, Fishers, IN (Essay)
Nicholas Leos, Mesquite, TX (Essay)
Elysha Greenberg, Windham, NH (Essay)

Scholarship recipients from 2001 to 2006 can be found at www.idodi.org/disc/scholarship/ScholarshipPastAwards2.htm

Look for the announcement about this year’s recipients in future communications.

If you want to help us help the kids of DI, check out www.idodi.org/disc for information on how you can contribute to our fund-raising efforts or be a part of our long tradition of service to the Destination ImagiNation^® program.