Click here for Microsoft Word version of this press release

In the state Odyssey of the Mind Competition finals held this past weekend at Columbus State University, five Savannah-Chatham County Public School System teams, two from DeRenne Middle School, two from Savannah Arts Academy and one from Marshpoint Elementary School earned the right to compete in the world finals.

A total of 13 DeRenne Middle School students (six on one team and seven on the other), 13 Savannah Arts Academy students (six on one team and seven on the other) and seven Marshpoint Elementary School students will travel to East Lansing, Michigan to put their winning performances to the test against other teams from all over the world at the 28th Odyssey of the Mind 2007 World Finals on May 23-26.

In the state finals, the 8th grade team from DeRenne Middle School took second place in “The Large and Small of It” problem 2, division II category.  In this synopsis, teams were required to create and present an original performance that integrates team-created small pages and large versions that change appearance.  DeRenne’s second place winning team members are Alexia LeMaigre, Lauren Meredith, Donovan Shuman, Austin Falls, Valencia Warren and McKenzie Brewster.  Team coaches are Judy Baisden and Stacey Pritchard.   

The 6th grade team from DeRenne Middle School placed first and stood out in the problem 3 “classics,” division II, “Around the World in 8 Minutes” category where they created and presented a performance that included a “Traveler” character on a trip around the world.  DeRenne Middle School’s first place winning members are Carolyn Batt, Addie Duck, Jack Hibberts, Xania Jackson, Mary Catherine Jensen, Michael McLaughlin and Natalie Taylor.  Del Scott is the team's coach.

Savannah Arts Academy’s team also aced the problem 3 “classics, Around the World in 8 Minutes” competition.  These students took first place against four other Georgia teams in the division III level.  Savannah Arts Academy’s first place winning team members are Alayna Baer, Rebecca Chester, Nick Duesler, Lindsay Gnann, Taylor Mackie, Rachel Shaner and Alex Wasily.  Debbie Crawford is this team's coach.  SCCPSS teams from Marshpoint, Islands and Georgetown Elementary Schools also participated in this synopsis on the division I level. 

Fourth grade, second place team winners from Marshpoint Elementary School beat out seven other teams in the problem 5 “I’m Only Thinking of You,” division I event.   In this synopsis, the team had to create and present an original humorous performance that included a self-centered character (SCC) and a surprise.  The second place winning Marshpoint Elementary School team members are Ciara Hodges, Jordan Holmes, Emily Iocovozzi, Madeline Kelso, Devon Lancia, Mary Claire Morris and Joshua Ricks.  Team coaches are Patty Sullivan and Francie Browne.
Other participating teams for this problem, division I were Bartow and Juliette Low Elementary Schools while a team from DeRenne Middle School participated in division II category.

Savannah Arts Academy’s second team excelled in the problem 5, division III “I’m Thinking of You” category.  These students captured second place which sends them on to the World Finals.  Savannah Arts Academy’s second place winning team members are Zach Ansley, Wesley Harrington, Phil Moore, Carley Reed, Ben Tantanella and Spencer Tootle.  Karen Nelson is this team’s coach.

In addition to moving on to the world finals, Savannah Arts Academy student Ben Tantanella earned an “Omer” award in the state competition.  The “Omer” award is given to a team or individual who persevered through adversity to participate on the Odyssey team.  Ben worked through a serious injury and continued to be a valuable team member even during the time that he was “one-handed.”  Ben was nominated by his fellow team members.

Teams from Bartow, May Howard and Jenkins High School participated in “Out of the Box Balsa,” problem 4 at the state finals. 

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.  Students work in teams learning cooperation and respect for the ideas of others.  They evaluate ideas and make decisions on their own, gaining greater self-confidence and increased self-esteem along the way.  For more information on the local, state and regional Odyssey of the Mind competitions, visit their website at www.georgiaodyssey.org.