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Five Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Odyssey of the Mind teams; two from DeRenne Middle School, two from Savannah Arts Academy and one from Marshpoint Elementary School traveled to East Lansing, Michigan this past weekend to compete in the 28th Odyssey of the Mind World Finals Competition. 

All five teams, which consisted 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 ranked below thirty in each participating category and division as they faced hundreds of other teams from all over the world and the nation for a chance to become world champs.

In the world finals, fourth grade team members from Marshpoint Elementary School ranked 11th against 59 other teams seven other teams in the problem 5 “I’m Only Thinking of You,” division I event. Members of this team 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.

A team from Savannah Arts Academy competed in the problem 5 “I’m Thinking of You” division III category.  These students ranked 13th out of 42 other teams.  Team members are Zach Ansley, Wesley Harrington, Phil Moore, Carley Reed, Ben Tantanella and Spencer Tootle.  Karen Nelson is this team coach.

The 8th grade team from DeRenne Middle School ranked 15th against 49 other teams in “The Large and Small of It” problem 2, division II category.  Participating team members are Alexia LeMaigre, Lauren Meredith, Donovan Shuman, Austin Falls, Valencia Warren and McKenzie Brewster.  Judy Baisden and Stacey Pritchard are the team coaches.

Savannah Arts Academy’s problem 3, division III “Around the World in 8 Minutes” team ranked 19th against 51 other teams in the competition.  Team members are Alayna Baer, Rebecca Chester, Nick Duesler, Lindsay Gnann, Taylor Mackie, Rachel Shaner and Alex Wasily.  Debbie Crawford is this team coach.

The 6th grade team from DeRenne Middle School ranked 28th against 66 other teams in the problem 3, division II “Around the World in 8 Minutes” category.  DeRenne Middle School’s team members are Carolyn Batt, Addie Duck, Jack Hibberts, Xania Jackson, Mary Catherine Jensen, Michael McLaughlin and Natalie Taylor.  Del Scott is the team coach.

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 2007 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals competition results, click here.

Related Information:
Five SCCPSS Teams Headed to 28th Odyssey of the Mind 2007 World Finals