Townsend Chronicles

http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/townsed

March 2009

Townsend’s FIRST

Odyssey of the Mind team participated in the regional competition March 7, 2009. Our team, which consisted of seven 7^th and 8^th graders, focused on the long term problem “Superstition.” You may have seen team members proudly wearing their t-shirts on and after competition day.

 

The team, which included Kali Wilson, Monica Pita, Curtis Lurvey, Becca Sanzo, Sarah Sanzo, Sereena Giner, and Brittany Holm, began meeting in October 2008 and continued work through competition day in March. Team members met in the early morning hours…on Saturdays…and in the afternoons to prepare for the three aspects of competition, which include a solution to the long term problem, a demonstration of “style,” and completion of spontaneous problem solving. Our OM Team built sets, designed costumes, planned solutions, practiced responding to impromptu questions, wrote and rehearsed scripts, ate a lot of pizza and laughed through the many hours of practice together.

 

The national organization describes OM in the following way:

“Odyssey of the Mind is a competitive program, but it's nothing like your typical sporting event. The competitive element encourages kids to be the best that they can be, but it's a friendly competition. Kids learn from and even cheer on their competitors. Odyssey of the Mind is not a college bowl or a competition about knowledge. It's all about creativity, an often overlooked element in the growth and development of many students. Kids are rewarded more for how they apply their knowledge, skills and talents, and not for coming up with the right answer. In fact, in Odyssey of the Mind problems, there isn't one right answer, ever.” (http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/learn_more.php)

 

Our OM team received special mention at the Awards Ceremony on March 7, 2009 for persistence and determination. Our team placed third in the spontaneous portion of the competition (“We aced it!” the team members proclaimed) and overall, received fifth place. This was an extremely successful first effort for Townsend.

 

Watch out, competitors! We are already making plans for next year! A special thank you to Ms. Mosconi, Mr. Hansen, Ms. Bailey-Jones, Mr. Moreno, OM staff, parents, and the many other Townsend staff members who gave us their time, vehicles, supplies, and support. Thanks to everyone for allowing these students to come together as a team.

from “OM Coach” Kohl…