(Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan) – The
Wellsville Central School Odyssey of the Mind team participated in the 38th
annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Michigan State University from May
24-27. The Problem 5 Division 3 team
consists of Skyler Stisser, Rachael Ferraloro, Alysa Daily, Justin Cole, Alyssa
Kear, Ashley Reitz, and Braden Scott (shown BELOW). Jennifer Parks is their coach. The teens excelled at the Region 19
Tournament in Wellsville and again at the State Tournament in Binghamton, where
they earned the honor to advance to the four-day international tournament,
representing New York State.
Founded in 1978, Odyssey of the Mind is the largest
international creative problem-solving tournament in the world. The program encourages students, from
kindergarten through college, to use original and divergent thinking as a team
sport. Divergent problems -- that is,
those with more than one solution -- encourage students to learn and lead the
way using 21st century skills. By
working in teams of up to seven members, participants learn teamwork, the
appreciation and understanding of others, and the concept that a group is a
more powerful thinking force than an individual.
Over 850 teams from throughout the United States and 13
other countries compete in Odyssey of the Mind.
Teams from the United States, Canada, China, South Korea, India, Japan,
Russia, Poland, Germany, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, and Mexico traveled
to Michigan State University, making this year’s tournament the largest in 38
years.
More than 20,000 students and supporters, from different
cultures and widely varying backgrounds, prove that creativity is universal.
The high-energy tournament embodies an international spirit of teamwork. While the competition is fierce, there is
also a feeling of camaraderie amongst competitors. At World Finals, teams have an once-in-a-lifetime
experience to form friendships that span the globe, through a common goal of
being creative and having fun.
The Wellsville team chose to tackle Problem 5, described as
. . .
To Be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger: Creativity is
being taken away from the world, and it is up to Odyssey teams to rescue it!
Teams will present a humorous performance about an unexpected superhero that
must save creativity. The superhero will change appearance when it displays its
superpowers and go back to blending in with society when not. The performance
will also include a clumsy sidekick, a nemesis character, a choreographed
battle, and a cliffhanger ending.
Not only do the participants compete within their chosen
problem, but teams must also perform well in a “spontaneous problem,” which
requires them to solve a new problem on the spot. The participants must be creative,
quick-thinking and work well together as a team.
Odyssey of the Mind team members spend months of their free
time solving problems as well as developing teamwork skills, independent study
skills, friendships, confidence, and most importantly, improving their
brainstorming and problem-solving techniques.
Teammates learn new things and utilize their individual strengths to
solve problems creatively. Teams also learn how to budget money as there is a
cost limit set for each problem.
Throughout the competition days, wherever you look, there are
imaginative costumes, elaborate props, dances, original songs and poetry,
creative writing and more. Tournaments
are the culmination of months of work from students, coaches, parents and
judges -- who all work together with the common goal of expressing creativity,
supporting the arts and learning new things in a fun environment.
It is impossible for any team to attend the World Finals
without a tremendous group effort from the team members and coaches, as well as
support from their school board, community, parents and families. Thanks to the supportive Wellsville school
district and communities for their commitment to these students.
These local teenagers also serve as inspirational role
models for younger students who hope to someday repeat their successes. This team has represented their school,
community, Region 19, and New York State in an admirable way. The team’s success would not have been
possible without a long term commitment from their dedicated coach, Jennifer
Parks. Thank you and congratulations to
all on an outstanding accomplishment.
For more information visit odysseyofthemind.com, nysoma.org
or contact Jean Oliverio at jean_oliverio@caboces.org or 716-376-8323.
