There are more than one million Destination Imagination (DI) alumni worldwide. This year, the Alumni Council sought nominations from our Affiliates to recognize exceptional alumni volunteers for the second annual Red Tie Award.
The recipients of this award are individuals who demonstrate a passion for giving back to the program and are truly Tied to DI as alumni volunteers. Among many dedicated alumni volunteers, these individuals go above and beyond in their volunteer capacity to serve the DI participants in their Affiliate, support their Affiliate leadership, and act as an ambassador of the DI program, all while exemplifying the spirit of DI. We recognize and appreciate the efforts of all alumni volunteers and are especially thankful for the example set by the recipients of the Red Tie Award.
Please join us in congratulating:
- Christine Jacinto
- Alan Brazzell
- Allison Collins
- Jake Oudheusden
Christine Jacinto (Arkansas): Christine Jacinto (CJ) founded the DI Arkansas Alumni organization and has a passion to engage young volunteers to build a community of creative learners. She was a DI participant for five years and then became a volunteer after graduating high school. During her time as a volunteer, she has energized crowds at her Affiliate’s tournaments, taught trainings, served as an Appraiser, Timekeeper/Announcer, Prep-Area Appraiser, Head Appraiser and Challenge Writer. CJ has also stepped into the Marketing Director role with the re-launch of the DI Arkansas marketing program. Her passion for DI is evident in her actions and words, and she especially wants to ensure that the younger generation of DI Arkansas participants and alumni continue to enjoy the culture of learning, creativity, acceptance, friendship, and encouragement.
Alan Brazzell (Alabama): Alan currently serves as Co-Affiliate Director for Alabama. From designing t-shirts and pins to emceeing his Affiliate’s award ceremonies to documenting teams via social media, Alan is an all-around supporter and cheerleader for DI. He is an enthusiastic, cooperative and flexible leader, always modeling a true spirit of problem-solving that always puts team members first. He has served as an Appraiser multiple times at Global Finals and as an International Challenge Master. Alan founded Blue Cape Creative, a video production company, and often works with DI headquarters on video marketing throughout the season, including the Team Challenge video promos.
Allison Collins (Massachusetts): Allison is truly TIEd to DI. She is a Regional Director, Regional Challenge Master, Head Trainer for Regional Directors, Appraiser at Global Finals and pin designer. She does more for DI Massachusetts than 10 people combined. She is an ambassador for the program in new districts and thinks of creative ways to appeal to more schools. Her magnetic personality keeps kids coming back year after year and she treats Destination Imagination as one giant Instant Challenge and does so with a smile.
Jake Oudheusden (New Hampshire): Jake serves as co-chair of the first-ever Alumni Committee for NH-DI and is an active Alumni Relations Coordinator for the DI New Hampshire Affiliate. He serves as a liaison between alumni and NH-DI leadership, working to strengthen the relationships alumni have with the program and remove some long-standing obstacles to alumni engagement. He is the co-chair and co-creator of Dive In, New Hampshire’s annual workshop day for DI teams. Jake is also a senior staffer at NH-DI’s Camp Gottalikachallenge and mentors younger staffers on camp counselor skills and team management.
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