America, here we come!

Six boisterous Whangarei schoolchildren will jet to America after their project to beautify a city park netted them a title in a national problem-solving competition.
Maunu School youngsters Meg Williams, Gillian Bilton, Sophie Couper, Zane Gell, Tim Ruddell and Caleb Mitchell are still buzzing with excitement after winning the junior category of the New Zealand Problem Solving competition at the weekend.
Their win entitled them to enter the international finals in Colorado next June, along with two teams from Kerikeri High School.
Since March, the Maunu School students have managed to get Whangarei police to patrol Cafler Park more often to ensure "dubious" people don't scare off park users. They also convinced the Northland Regional Council to waterblast its dirty building and the community to help plant more than 300 native plants on the banks of the Waiarohia Stream.
The students believed they won because of their commitment and ability to work in a team and get the community involved.
"Our teacher was dumbstruck," the kids said of Kath Edwards' reaction when they were awarded first place.
Now the children need to raise $70,000 to travel to America for a 10-day trip, a goal they believe they can achieve. Tim said his younger sister had already donated $20 towards his costs.
And their other goal is to repeat the success of Kaitaia Primary School students, who won the junior category of the international finals in America this year.
Two teams from Kerikeri High School won the senior and middle division section of the competition for organising NCEA recognition for future problem-solving studies to be recognised with credits, and improving the relationship between the school and a neighbouring retirement home.
As well, Charlotte Fladgate won the scenario writing section of the competition and may also go to America.
Kerikeri High School principal Joan Middlemiss was elated with the teams' achievements, especially as several schools around the country want to use the senior team's system to gain NCEA credits.
The students will have to raise around $40,000 for the trip.