From left, Virginia Fife, Katelyn Sullivan, Emma Hrabak, OMER (Odyssey of the Mind mascot), Minah Sisco, Kasey Petrie and Reira Erickson. Photo contributed
Minah Sisco, Emma Hrabak, Katelyn Sullivan, Virginia Fife, Kasey Petrie, and Reira Erickson, fourth-graders at White Oaks Elementary in Burke, are headed to the World Finals for Odyssey of the Mind in Ames, Iowa on May 25.
With guidance and encouragement from their coaches Jo Hee Sisco and Michael Hrabak, the team created and presented an 8-minute humorous performance depicting problem-solving from the perspective of three different animals. During their performance, the animals were required to sing and dance, and show curiosity, sympathy, frustration and joy. The team not only had to write and perform their solution, but also created all their own props, costumes and set, all within a budget of $125.
The fourth-graders also had to solve a spontaneous problem at each competition, where team members don’t know the problem until they enter the room, requiring them to creatively think on their feet.
The White Oaks team has established a GoFundMe page to help support their travel, accommodations, and tournament fees. To support the students, go to https://www.gofundme.com/74znd698.