Odyssey of the Mind, or OM, is a creative problem-solving program. Teams compete in different formats. First, teams take on a long-term problem which takes months to work on. It involves writing scripts, designing a set, constructing props and giving a theatrical performance. The second part of OM is the spontaneous portion where teams also have to generate solutions or answers to a task they have not seen before competition day and have only a few minutes of prep time.
In all, TK was represented by 18 teams at the regional contest with 12 qualifying for state. Five elementary teams and five middle school teams from TK all advance to the state contest, along with two high school teams. In order to advance to the state contest, teams had to finish in the top three in their problem and division at the regional contest.
Teams advancing to the state finals are:
Elementary Teams
Team: Ayla Schneider, Brooklyn Filipiak, James Schmader, Josie VonItter, Adelyn Bosworth, Geneva Walber, and Charlie Bouchard
3rd Place
Coaches: Jacki Schneider & Sunday Bosworth
Team: Calvin Jeurink, Larsen Welker, Gavin Gless, Adeline Middlemiss, and Hannah Slayton
2nd Place
Coaches: Marina Jeurink & Nate Gless
Team: Olivia Weeks, Iris Oprea, Harrison Doele, Ryne Schrader, Jackson Flynn, Alyssa Quintard, and Evan Martin
4th Place (advancing 4 from this group since there were 7-12 teams registered in this problem and division)
Coaches: Laura Weeks & Sarah Quintard
Team: Ari Barnett, Kyla Seifert, Dean Miller, Edwin Clapper, Kyler Duits, Aaliyah Duits, Harper Oostindie
2nd Place
Coach: Lydia Duits
Team: Brailyn Schnell, Jacob Baker, Colton Curvin, Cayden Barnes, Isla McKeown, Ryann Endres, and Holden Terpstra
3rd Place
Coaches: Jacki Schneider & Sunday Bosworth
Middle School Teams
Team: Landon Lambitz, Max Schneider, Sophia Weeks, Katie Whittredge, Zoie Gemoets, and Avi Van Ravensway
2nd Place
Coach: Ross Lambitz
Team: Sawyer Pelton, Felix Preston, Sebastian Preston, Nora McKeown, Clara McKeown, and Quinn Kamper
2nd Place
Coaches: Toriey Pelton & Shawna Preston
Team: Aubree Gilbert, Brian Verburg, Cassidy Robinett, Claire Whittredge, McKenzie Heckman, Sage Filipiak, Zane Truer
3rd Place
Coaches: Hannah Whittredge & Alaina Truer
Team: Luke Plummer, Brandon Prime, Colten Blue, Madalynn Bont, Maia Uslan, Michael Behrendt II, and Sophia Eggers
1st Place
Coaches: Danielle Plummer & Danielle Uslan
Team: Zak Holzhausen, Claire Hull, Derrick Bont, Teaghan Dalrymple, Oliver Salvador, Kahlan Thornton
3rd Place
Coaches: Theresa Holzhausen & Lara Hull
High School Teams
Team: Maxwell Kiste, Ally Rollings, Anna Boldt, Kayla Gunnink, Marla Kaniewski, and Payton Thompson
2nd Place
Coach: Olivia Lewis
Team: Ellie Baranek, Chloee (Jackson) Markee, Keeghan Simerly, Lillian Eggers, Anna Dunkelberger, Leoda DeWeerd, Madalyn Eggers
1st Place
Coach: Kristi Eggers
The regional contest brought more than 1,000 students and guests to Thornapple Kellogg Middle School Feb. 21 for the day-long competition. The state contest is March 21 where teams will vie to compete at the World Finals at Iowa State University in May.