Students from Brooks Hill Elementary School and Johanna Perrin Middle School will represent New York State in the World Finals of Odyssey of the Mind, a creative problem-solving competition, May 25-28 at Iowa State University. The teams finished first in the New York State competition at SUNY Binghamton on April 2.
Odyssey of the Mind is a program that celebrates creativity and teamwork by challenging students of all abilities in grades kindergarten through 12 with solving problems. Teams of as many as seven members work for months to present solutions in an 8-minute skit. Students must make costumes, scripts, and props without any outside assistance from coaches, parents, classmates or others.
This is the second year in a row that two Fairport teams have advanced to the international tournament. Last year a Brooks Hill School team finished 14th place. The Johanna Perrin team, which is competing in its third consecutive World Finals, finished 13th last year.
The Brooks Hill team competed in the Something Fishy problem, earning an outstanding score of 349.14 out of 350 points. The problem requires students to simulate multiple styles of fishing and “catch” unexpected items. Members include: James Christensen, Ruthie Christensen, Hanna Fleming, Tyler Fleming, Evan Pacer, Veronica Talma and Leanna Talma, and they are coached by Lisa Christensen and Melissa Talma.
The Johanna Perrin team competed in Stack Attack!, The problem requires students to perform a skit that incorporates a structure that will hold weight. The team, which includes Leo Allen, Zachary Belaskas, Danny Fox, Greg Herdzik, Craig Kapp, Alex Moczarski and Alex White, was credited with holding 1,199 pounds, about 300 pounds more than others. The team scored 341.12 of 350 points. Amanda Allen and Steve Kapp are coaches for this dynamite team.
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