This is an amazing number of teams advancing again for TK. The OM program is coordinated by Robin Walters and continues to grow in numbers and strength. The district had teams from all grade levels competing including a primary team from McFall Elementary. Primary teams only compete at the regional level and are not eligible to advance to the state competition.
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program encouraging students to think outside the box and come up with creative and innovative solutions to problems. Teams must compete in both a long-term problem and spontaneous portion of the competition. The long-term problem involves creating a performance with costumes, props and sets.
Primary Team
The primary team is made up of Sawyer Pelton, Emery Sherk, Kayde Holley, MkKenna Martin, Nathaniel Boersma, and Preston Martin – all in either Young 5’s, kindergarten or first grade. The team is coached by Victoria Pelton.
Elementary Teams
Lee and Page elementary schools also sent two teams to the regionals with one team advancing to state. The team advising to state placed second at regionals. Team members are Morela Gielincki, Jackson Lambitz, Molly Alden, Madalyn Eggers, Alex Evans, Anthony Sager-Wissner, Landon Lambitz. Coaches are Ross and Marnie Lambitz and Clair Jansma. The team members are in second, fourth and fifth grades.
The other elementary team is coached by Becky Vaughn and Heather Long. The team is made up of students in second, third, fourth and fifth grades and placed seventh at regionals. Team members are Collin Long, Lyvia Hilton, Keeghan Simerly, Travis Grabemeyer, Jacob Long, Lucy Grummet, Joel Gelderloos.
Middle School Teams
The middle school sent five teams to regional competition with three teams advancing to the state contest.
The sixth-grade team coached by Melina Robinett, Michael Chambers and Jessica Crampton finished first at regionals to advance. Team members are all in sixth grade and include Avery Hagemann, Charlotte Crampton, Mallorie Rosenberg, Ellie Baranek, Myles Chambers, Jenna Robinett, Paige Pierpoint.
Another sixth-grade team placed fourth at regionals, narrowly missing out on a trip to the state finales. The team is coached by Rachel Sherk and Hope Archer. Team members are Israel Sherk, Carter Curtis, Luke Archer, Emma Reaser, Easton DeVries, Oliver Lietz.
An eighth-grade team coached by Gina Ostien and Michelle Essenberg placed first and will advance to state. Team members are Drake Holzhausen, Margaret Richards, Ava Myers, Luke McFadden, Lizzie Middleton, Cecelia Essenberg and Darby Nutt.
Another 8th-grade team will be joining the teams competing at state. The team is coached Reagan Gielincki and Melinda Robinett placed second at regionals. Team members are Colton Rabley, Travis Barton, Whitney Ruger, Mallory Hagemann, Billie DeWent, Marian Gielincki, Shelby Robinett.
A middle school team made up of fifth, seventh and eighth-graders placed fifth at regionals. They are coached by Alison Fliearman. Team members are Emily Fliearman, Katie Fliearman, Zoe Archer, Cole Boysen, Lillian DeLine, Jonas Grummet.
High School Teams
Three high school teams competed at regionals with two advancing to state finals.
The 9th-grade team of Zach Maring, Natalie Alden, Emma Thompson, Kate Baldry, Sierra Morton, Tag Fortuna and Rachel Shoemaker earned first at regionals. They are coached by Barb Maring and Travis Alden.
Another high school team includes a second grade student, an eighth grade students, along with three ninth-grade students and a 10th-grade student. The team is coached by Jackilyn Schneider and placed first at regional competition. Team members are Mallory Syren, Nancy Raab, Abigail Luepnitz, Libby Hess, Madelyn LaBelle, Max Schneider.
The final high school team placed third at regionals just missing their chance to advance. Team members are Aubrey Evans, Ellie Essenberg, Kelly Gasser, Michael Brown, Avery Hicswa, Erin Chinavare and Megan Chinavare. The team is coached by Michelle Essenberg and Sherry Gasser.