S-E Odyssey of the Mind team strikes out on their own
SHERBURNE – When funding at Sherburne-Earlville was cut for the Odyssey of the Mind competition, an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students, the school was left with a tough choice. They didn’t have the money budgeted to fund all of the teams who wanted to go to the competition.
The school decided to hold auditions, and chose which teams would be sent to the regional tournament in Oneonta. Although the school sent several teams, some could not be funded. One such team wouldn’t take no for an answer. The students were told if they could find an outside sponsor and coach they, would still be able to compete. Sherburne-Earlville students Laura Ward, Rachel Walters, Justine Cameron, Mark Wessing, Eric Robertson, Max Paccillo and Amanda Cruz took it upon themselves to accomplish the task. They recruited S-E Drama Club Director Colleen Law-Tefft as their coach and found a sponsor in the Sherburne Rotary Club.
“The kids have done all the work,” said Tefft. The team, made up of seniors, juniors and sophomores, was determined to go to the competition, and they did. After securing their own transportation, the students made the trip to Oneonta for the regional competition on Feb. 24, which started at 7 a.m. and lasted throughout the day.
Over 50 teams in three divisions competed. Odyssey of the Mind is different than many competitions. Before attending the regional competition, students work to solve the problems in a creative and unique way. There is no one right answer. The students then present their solutions in organized competitions at the regional match. “It was amazing when I was watching them perform,” Tefft said.
The solutions are judged by a panel of volunteers and the team that takes first place, one for each of the questions, is selected to go on to the state competitions. The Sherburne Rotary Team took second place for the solution to their problem, but the judges were so impressed by their determination, that the team won the lottery, allowing one second place team to go on to the state competition. The team was also awarded the OMER Award, which is given out for outstanding sportsmanship, behavior or talent.
Despite their success, the Sherburne Rotary Team is now working to overcome another challenge – finding the funding to attend the state competition on March 31 at Binghamton University. For more information, contact the S-E School District at 674-7380.
The school decided to hold auditions, and chose which teams would be sent to the regional tournament in Oneonta. Although the school sent several teams, some could not be funded. One such team wouldn’t take no for an answer. The students were told if they could find an outside sponsor and coach they, would still be able to compete. Sherburne-Earlville students Laura Ward, Rachel Walters, Justine Cameron, Mark Wessing, Eric Robertson, Max Paccillo and Amanda Cruz took it upon themselves to accomplish the task. They recruited S-E Drama Club Director Colleen Law-Tefft as their coach and found a sponsor in the Sherburne Rotary Club.
“The kids have done all the work,” said Tefft. The team, made up of seniors, juniors and sophomores, was determined to go to the competition, and they did. After securing their own transportation, the students made the trip to Oneonta for the regional competition on Feb. 24, which started at 7 a.m. and lasted throughout the day.
Over 50 teams in three divisions competed. Odyssey of the Mind is different than many competitions. Before attending the regional competition, students work to solve the problems in a creative and unique way. There is no one right answer. The students then present their solutions in organized competitions at the regional match. “It was amazing when I was watching them perform,” Tefft said.
The solutions are judged by a panel of volunteers and the team that takes first place, one for each of the questions, is selected to go on to the state competitions. The Sherburne Rotary Team took second place for the solution to their problem, but the judges were so impressed by their determination, that the team won the lottery, allowing one second place team to go on to the state competition. The team was also awarded the OMER Award, which is given out for outstanding sportsmanship, behavior or talent.
Despite their success, the Sherburne Rotary Team is now working to overcome another challenge – finding the funding to attend the state competition on March 31 at Binghamton University. For more information, contact the S-E School District at 674-7380.
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