OLD TOWN – Creative problem solving led the Old Town Destination Imagination team to win both the regional and state meets. The pupils earned the right to compete in the Globals in Knoxville, Tenn., May 21-24, although they will not be able to attend.

Fourth- and fifth-graders Jimmy Campbell, Derrick Geer, Ben Segee, Brittany Curtis and Dacie Manion of Helen Hunt School and Megan Jackson of Herbert Sargent School are members of the Once Improv a Time team, coached by Bruce Segee, associate professor of electrical engineering at the University of Maine.

“We have a great track record,” said Segee, who has been the team’s coach for three years. “The first year we were last in the regionals. The second year, we were second in the regionals and second in the state. And this year we were first in the regionals and first in the state.”

Unfortunately, Segee said, the team will not compete in the Globals.

“I have a scheduling conflict,” he said, “and the day after we won the states, Georgia-Pacific closed the Old Town mill.” That event “made things hard – so much is going on for displaced workers” in terms of raising funds that it is too difficult to send the team to Knoxville.

Chris Avilla, the Helen Hunt School principal, said, “The team is taking it in stride. They knew from day one that scheduling and timing conflicts would keep them from attending [the Globals]. We’re very proud of them and we’re organizing a special recognition day for them.”