Odyssey Teams Headed to World Championships in May

It’s been an incredible adventure in Odyssey of the Mind (OotM)! This year, approximately 63 students and about 15 parent volunteer coaches made the journey through OotM. Almost every team advanced from the Regional Tournament to the State Tournament. From the teams who advanced to the State Tournament, six teams have advanced to the World Competition in Lansing, Michigan, on May 22-27. Read more from Graland’s site coordinator, Shannon Bell.

 

There are several ways to win in OotM. The first is the most straight forward. Each OotM team selects a long term problem early in the year. Teams compete with other teams who select the same problem. Each team is judged in three categories- long term problem solution, spontaneous, and style. All three combine to create a final score. The top three teams in each problem advance to the State Tournament. The top two from each problem at the state level advance to the World Competition. Across the board, Graland teams had some of the highest scores in the state. Of the nine teams that began the journey in the Fall, six are advancing to the World Competition.  

Special Awards

Teams and individuals can also win the Omer Award for demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, exemplary behavior, or exceptional talent. Graland teams won several Omer Awards at the Regional and State level. One team was recognized for extraordinary team work in an unpredictable and difficult situation, and the others were recognized for outstanding commitments to their team and perseverance in completing team related tasks.

 
The Value of Participation

The final way to win is to participate. It sounds simple, but whether you advance or or not, the amount of hard work and commitment to the team are equal. Regardless of the outcome, each team presents their long term problem solution, competes in spontaneous and style, and has their work judged. Because the focus of OotM is on the journey, every team’s answers are correct. Each solution is correct. Because, in OotM, there are no wrong answers.  

The skills that make the Graland teams successful are the same innovation skills our students use every day — think outside the box, listen to your peers, try and if you don’t succeed, try, try again. Team members learn their strengths and the strengths of those around them. Being resourceful and being able to presevere are real world skills every OotM member uses — even the coaches! They practice all of this and have fun doing it.  

 

If you know someone in third or fourth grade who participated in OotM, congratulate them. They have worked extremely hard. If you know someone who coached OotM, give them a giant pat on the back. They also worked very hard. Between the teams and the coaches, our year has been an incredible success. The support of our community is always impressive. At Graland, we are truly blessed.  

 

Way to “go greater,” Odyssey of the Mind teams! Congratulations to all of you!