SHERBURNE – Members of Sherburne-Earlville’s Division III High School Odyssey of the Mind team will compete, on May 26, in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, to be held at Michigan State University.
Following first place finishes in both the regional and state competitions, held at the BOCES Harold Campus and Binghamton University respectively, the seven-member, New York State champion high school team will face 43 others from all over the globe next Wednesday.
S-E Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator Jonathan Sherry described the international educational program as a “catalyst that propels these children,” and added, “We need to challenge the students’ intellect while marrying it to their imagination.”
Odyssey of the Mind challenges teams globally with solving and performing a long term problem synopsis, and S-E team members said they chose the vehicle problem, Nature Trail’R, because it “seemed like a challenge.”
Heather Pfohl, an eight-time World Finals coach, said Nature Trail’R “seemed to have more opportunity for the students to be more creative.”
In the synopsis, the team must successfully navigate its human-powered vehicle through a series of encounters, while pulling a camper around a team-created nature trail. The circumstances surrounding the encounters include wildlife, an obstacle the vehicle must overcome, an apparent breakdown and subsequent repair and finally, an endpoint that beautifies the team-created environment.
A “campground” character provides narration throughout the challenge.
“This is a very diverse group and that’s what makes it work so well, they’ve come together very nicely and work together very well,” said coach Pfohl. “They’ve put in a tremendous number of hours toward this,” including “late nights, early mornings and Saturdays.”
S-E Junior Margaret Dushko, an Odyssey of the Mind participant since sixth grade, said she “couldn’t imagine high school without Odyssey,” and added. “I like my team, even if they are crazy. It’s been awesome.”
Senior Ariel Gold agreed. “I love the program, these guys are like my second family,” while fellow senior Megan Matott added, “I’ve never been so creative in my life.”
“I really like the program because you have a group of diverse people coming together for one cause,” stated Maggie Caton, a senior. “It’s funny how people’s varied personalities come together to create something unique.”
The family-oriented sentiment was shared by senior Sarah Jenny, who added the team had “so many fun times and great experiences together,” while first-time participant and sophomore Shannon Staley stated, “I’ll never forget this experience, I appreciate them all.”
As the only non-graduating members of the team, Staley and Dushko both expressed how difficult it would be without their new-found friends next year, while senior Chris Weinell commented on how glad he was he took part.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s well worth the effort,” he added.
For more information on Odyssey of the Mind, go to odysseyofthemind.com.