WARNING: PAULA ABDUL IS ABOUT TO BE ROAMING THE STREETS OF KNOXVILLE.
Love it or hate it, she’s about to be here. I think most of us are excited, I mean after all she was the heartwarming judge on American Idol who always made us feel better by being kind when she told people that they had no talent. Yet her American Idol days are over. Instead, she has been lured to our city by some of the smartest kids from around the world.
We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the 8,000 students, 544 volunteers, and 17,000+ attendees that have descended upon Knoxville for Destination Imagination Global Finals. Teams from 17 countries are here to perform well-rehearsed main challenges as well as mysterious instant challenges. As a former D.I. Global Finalist myself, I sincerely mean it when I say, good luck. Outside of the challenges, there are many fun events around Knoxville, and interesting seminars such as a sound explosion workshop put on by David W. Collins of Sony/Lucas Film animation.
Unfortunately Paula Abdul isn’t here to judge the children, at least officially. Instead, she is here along with Dr. Bill Dorman for a Win Against all Odds Workshop, encouraging and instructing students in how to be successful in any career. Dr. Dorman, a famous dentist who has been featured on Doctors and started the LEAP Foundation, will also give a talk giving pointers in how to nail a job interview. These workshops are open to the public and details can be found online at the D.I. Global Finals blog.
We know how much kids love pizza and adults like craft beer, and we hope you like what we have to offer. We are certainly looking forward to your visit. It is always a pleasure to have a room full of intellectual people from around the world, especially if Paula Abdul is among them.