TRAVERSE CITY -- Months of brainstorming, meetings, creation, rehearsals and out-of-the-box thinking culminate with a trip to Iowa this month for six area Odyssey of the Mind teams.
Progressing from a regional event in early March at Traverse City East Middle School to State Finals in April in Grand Rapids, the following teams will attend Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University from May 27-30:
-- Benzie Central Middle School, "Lost Labor of Heracles" Division II
-- Traverse City East Middle School, "Superstition" Division II
-- Frankfort Elementary School, "Earth Trek" Division I
-- Leland, "Shock Waves" Division I
-- Manton Team A, "Lost Labor of Heracles" Division III
-- Northern Lakes Community Church, "Earth Trek" Division II
Getting there means meeting another goal on a tight deadline: each team must raise about $4,000 in a month.
While refining their long-term solutions and continuing to hone their skills in the Spontaneous problem arena, team member and coaches are organizing fundraisers fast and furious. Car washes, silent auctions, garage sales, coupons, ice cream scooping -- name it and the teams are holding one or more.
After finishing in either first or second place at the State Finals April 18, teams had 48 hours to commit to Worlds. In the current economic climate, choosing to go required some thought.
"The parents got together and decided," said Mike Riggins, co-coach with Jill Butryn of the team at Northern Lakes Community Church, which also sent a team to Worlds last year. "One of the ways we're raising money is by cutting expenses."
This year's church-based team, which includes six students in fifth and sixth grades from five different schools, has been meeting at least weekly since the fall.
With World Finals looming, David Butryn, 12, a sixth-grade homeschooler, relished his experience there last year as teams from around the world showcased their talents.
"It was such a great experience, meeting a whole lot of other teams and just the excitement of the whole thing, I learned a lot," he said. "If you go to Worlds, you never want to quit Odyssey of the Mind again."
The continued success of the now eighth-grade team at Benzie Central Middle School -- together for four years and heading to Worlds -- has ignited excitement about Odyssey of the Mind throughout the school district. This year seven teams participated in regionals and six went on to State Finals.
"Other kids have watched the fun and success and wanted to be a part of it," said Bianca McLaren, who coached two teams this year, including the five eighth graders.
The support extends to some financial backing from the school board and Benzie Central Education Foundation.
"They're paying for about half of our registration for the team," said McLaren, noting that the team is also conducting fundraisers. "We feel very lucky, I know it's rare."
Seven Traverse City Area Public Schools seventh graders are heading to World Finals as a team for the third time. Based at Central Grade School for two years until the students shifted to either East or West Middle School this school year, coach Andrea Rothney noted longevity has forged a solid working unit.
"They are becoming very good at communicating with each other: listening, giving their ideas -- they read each other very well now," said Rothney, a coach for five years. "I think it really develops their confidence, their independence and their poise. It's very valuable for them."
Riggins has also noted numerous long-term benefits for students in Odyssey of the Mind program. The pastor of the Northern Lakes Community Church has been an Odyssey team coach for 11 years, long past his own family's participation.
"I do this because of the way Odyssey of the Mind changed my children," Riggins said.
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