An odyssey for bright minds

The Odyssey of the Mind team from Condit Elementary School competed at the regional tournament and successfully advanced to the state competition. Team coach Sumita Gorla, Sebastian Sitton, Maryam Kharisova, Eddie Li, Aarya Oza, Naaya Sambasivan, and Samar Ankar (pictured, from left) spent several months preparing for the annual creative-thinking, problem-solving competition. The Condit team chose the problem “Where’s the structure?” which challenged the students to design and build a structure made of only balsa wood and glue that balances and holds as much weight as possible. They worked together building props and a painted backdrop, and then wrote a script and composed a presentation for the competition. The judges were impressed, and the team advanced to the state-level competition in Dallas.

Elijah Pollock, Nick Arribas, Evan Abney, Alex Potter, Alaia Grannis, Helen Zamorano, and Isabela Vargas

The undefeated Presbyterian School Odyssey of the Mind seventh-grade team is headed for the world finals. After winning first place at the regional tournament in Houston and again at the state tournament in Dallas, the students earned a spot to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind world finals at Michigan State University in late May. The Presbyterian School fifth-grade team (not pictured) advanced through the regional tournament, placed third at the state tournament, and was also selected to compete at the world finals. Teams spent several months preparing for the annual creative-thinking, problem-solving competition. The seventh-grade team chose the problem “Where’s the structure?” The team had the challenge of designing and building a structure made of only balsa wood and glue to hold as much weight as possible. The team’s structure held 380 pounds. The Presbyterian School winners are (pictured, from left) seventh graders Elijah Pollock, Nick Arribas, Evan Abney, Alex Potter, Alaia Grannis, Helen Zamorano, and Isabela Vargas; not pictured: coaches Stephany Lin-Abney and Naresh Sabhnani, and fifth graders Henry Baker, Austin Edwards, Emma Harkey, Arya Sabhnani, and Xander Wycoff.

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