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Destination Imagination Affiliate Gem Award

Destination Imagination Affiliate Gem Award

Destination Imagination Affiliate Gem Award

The Destination Imagination Affiliate Gem Award is presented by the DI Board of Trustees to an individual or team who has given significant assistance or long-time service to Destination Imagination in a way that has significantly impacted the organization.

Wisconsin Destination Imagination (WIDI) is seeking nominations for this prestigious award to be presented at the 2025 Affiliate Tournament on April 5th, 2025 at Sun Prairie West High School.

Nominations are due March 20, 2025.

Final award selection will be made by the Wisconsin DI Affiliate Tournament Planning Committee and the Wisconsin DI Board of Directors.

Click here for the WIDI Affiliate Gem Award nomination form.

Past WIDI Affiliate Gem Award Recipients

Anne CoullingAnne Coulling
2024 Recipient

Recap of Anne's award nomination:

  • Anne’s DI journey began in 2007 as a DI parent and continued as a Team Manager in 2008 and a DI coordinator in her community in 2009.
  • She has managed 14 DI teams over the years and her first Global Finals experience in Knoxville reinforced her commitment to DI.
  • In 2015, she co-founded Friends of Tosa DI, and in 2016, she became the Regional Director for the Milwaukee Region, growing DI’s impact in Southeast Wisconsin.
  • In 2020, Anne joined the Wisconsin DI Board of Directors, using her community experience to strengthen DI statewide.
  • She further demonstrated her leadership and commitment to the program by serving as Secretary of the Wisconsin DI Board of Directors, Chair of the Growth & Retention Committee, Co-Director of the Southeast Sectional, and leading Team Manager Coffee Hours and training sessions to support and grow DI participation
  • Anne's passion for DI’s Impact is evident in her advocacy efforts that include sharing  DI’s benefits, particularly for: shy/anxious children gaining confidence, gifted students seeking challenges, bullied or lonely kids finding community, and non-athletic or health-challenged kids finding a team.
  • Anne encourages everyone to spread the word about DI, and Wisconsin DI is proud to recognize her as the 2024 Destination Imagination Diamond Gem Award recipient.

Mikaela BeckerMikaela Becker
2022 Recipient

Recap of Mikaela's award nomination:

  • Mikaela has been involved with DI for 14 years, starting as a team member and continues to give back to DI as an alumni, taking on many roles including Appraiser, Team Manager, Regional Challenge Master, Alumni Resource Coordinator, and WIDI Board Member
  • A natural leader, Mikaela is organized, detail-oriented, highly motivated, and highly responsive, often completing tasks quickly and presenting final drafts within a day.
  • As Alumni Coordinator, Mikaela:
    • Introduced red ties for alumni.
    • Recruited alumni for projects and tournaments.
    • Produced and distributed the Alumni Newsletter.
  • She helped create two new programs this season:
    1. Team Manager Ambassador Program for former TMs now volunteering in other roles.
    2. Virtual TM Coffee Hour, held monthly during the season.
  • Mikaela developed and implemented WIDI's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training for volunteers.
  • She excels at web design and creates graphics for Facebook pages and WIDI's training programs.
  • There is no task that she won’t undertake and for that Wisconsin DI owes her its deepest appreciation and thereby is a recipient of the Affiliate Diamond Award.

Robyn Harper Wisconsin Destination Imagination
Robyn Harper
2022 Recipient

Recap of Robyn's award nomination:

  • Robyn has been involved with DI since 1998, starting as a team parent and going on to hold multiple roles: Team Manager, school district coordinator, Appraiser, Global Finals volunteer, WIDI Board member, Regional Director, Challenge Master, Social Media Director, and webmaster.
  • She is described as someone who pours her heart and soul into DI and is passionate about watching kids' growth through participation in the program. She is deeply moved by how it impacts their lives, which has also changed her own.
  • She shares her expertise in web design and creating engaging graphics and social media content, and worked for weeks with WIDI over the summer to develop a new website.
  • She goes beyond her title to help others with questions, problems, or new ideas to improve WIDI.
  • Wisconsin DI proudly presents Robyn Harper with the Diamond Award for her dedication and contributions.

Brett WarnimontBrett Warnimont
2021 Recipient

Recap of Brett's award nomination:

  • Brett is the WI Affiliate Challenge Master (ACM) for scoring.
  • He was responsible for the first year where (out of unexpected necessity) we had to shift from paper score sheets to 100% mobile scoring, training leaders and appraisers on how to use this brand-new platform.
  • He also spearheaded the first virtual awards ceremony for WIDI that year, which took dozens (if not hundreds) of hours to put together.
  • He played a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the tournament season from start to finish.
  • Trained hundreds of volunteers and handled thousands of emails, calls, and texts.
  • Worked long hours, including after bedtime, with a positive attitude and smile.
  • Committed to providing the best experience for participants, teammates, and team managers.
  • Wisconsin DI gives Brett a big, WILD, and CRAZY thank you for his efforts.