FACE makes donation to Pagosa DI team

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By Lynne McCrudden

Special to The SUN

Photo courtesy Joanne Irons Lynne McCrudden, president of FACE (Foundation for Archuleta County Education), presents three of the Pagosa DI Nerds — Blake Irons, Miah Pitcher and Brooke Bowdridge — with a check showing the foundation’s support for the team, which qualified for Destination Imagination Global competition in Knoxville, Tenn., later this month. Addie Thompson is the fourth Nerd, rounding out the team competing at the secondary level. Photo courtesy Joanne Irons
Lynne McCrudden, president of FACE (Foundation for Archuleta County Education), presents three of the Pagosa DI Nerds — Blake Irons, Miah Pitcher and Brooke Bowdridge — with a check showing the foundation’s support for the team, which qualified for Destination Imagination Global competition in Knoxville, Tenn., later this month. Addie Thompson is the fourth Nerd, rounding out the team competing at the secondary level.[/caption]

The Foundation for Archuleta County Education (FACE) is pleased to announce a monetary donation to this year’s only qualifying DI (Destination Imagination) team, from Pagosa Springs, The Nerds.

The Nerds have been a team since 2008, and this year is their first year as a secondary level team, which is the high school level. They are three very active high school students and an eighth-grader, participating in both the arts and athletics.

FACE is an Educational Foundation founded last year to financially support curricular and extracurricular programs, enrichment programs, support for teacher training, competitive academic programs and alternative educational programs that enhance academic opportunities for K-12 students throughout the county.

Although FACE is still awaiting its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, it has received some donations from community leaders who are interested in getting this foundation off the ground. This support has allowed the foundation to make a contribution to help these students travel to Knoxville, Tenn., to participate in the DI Global Competitions.

The Destination Imagination Program is a great fit with the mission of FACE. It provides an opportunity for kids to learn how to work together while problem solving in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and the arts.

The biggest limitation preventing more students from being involved in this creative thinking is a lack of managers. This is where the community can reach out and get involved in supporting the local educational process. If you would like to know about how to get involved with FACE or Destination Imagination, contact Lynne McCrudden, 264-4629, or Sally High, at the junior high school.