AUGUSTA — Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, welcomed the fifth-grade Destination Imagination Team from Camden-Rockport Middle School to the State House on Wednesday, June 14, following their trip to Kansas City, Missouri, for the Global Destination Imagination Championships. 

The team, consisting of members Jonathan Fernald, Sully Coleman, Elijah Buescher, Bridget Vickerman, Ruth Pendergast, Simon Contakos, Teddy Trumbauer and coach Patricia Magri, took a tour of the State House before meeting with Rep. Doudera, who presented them with a legislative sentiment honoring their accomplishments and introduced them to other legislators.

“Destination Imagination instills confidence, encourages creativity and requires quick thinking, teamwork, and improvisation,” said Doudera, in a news release. “It was my pleasure to host these awesome kids and their coach, Patricia Magri, at the State House. I’m proud of the team’s hard work and dedication, and I hope they continue to compete.”

A highlight of the visit was a stop in the Governor’s Cabinet Room, where the team met with Gov. Janet Mills, who congratulated the students on their participation in the competition and thanked them for representing Maine. She then presented each team member with a special challenge coin.

Rep. Doudera’s daughter also participated on a Destination Imagination Championship team from Camden-Rockport Middle School at a competition in Knoxville, Tennessee, nearly 20 years ago. 

“As a chaperone on that 2004 trip, I saw how exciting it was for a Maine team to compete against other states and countries, meet creative children from around the world and work together to complete a challenge under pressure,” said Doudera.

Doudera is serving her third term and is a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Marine Resources Committee. She represents the towns of Camden and Rockport and co-chairs the Legislature’s Gun Safety Caucus.