Seven people crowd around a table, discussing responses and laughing as they tease one another throughout the interview. It’s no wonder why this Odyssey of the Mind team, consisting of Betty Higgins, Imani Pippen, Robbie Flick, Madison Collins, Colin Weissman, Isaiah Williams, and Cyrus Gillespie is moving on to the World Finals competition. Teamwork and six years together has created a tight-knit group.

You may be wondering: What is Odyssey of the Mind? “It’s about critical and creative thinking and problem solving,” Williams answers. The program, which was created in 1978, brings together different people who are then given a prompt and have to solve it with a skit, costumes, and props.

This Odyssey of the Mind team’s prompt this year was “The Most Dramatic Problem Ever!!!” This problem focuses on “a boy who cried wolf” character who is melodramatic, but when something serious happens, no one believes them. 

The team took this story to both states and regionals, and they swept the competition. “We get very nervous,” Collins says for the team. Even though the group was stressed, their years of experience with one another pulled them through. Collins continues, “We work together very well… We have many different types of minds, so everything comes together into something very funny.”

The Odyssey of the Mind team left for the World Finals in Michigan on May 23rd. “We are so excited. This is like a once in a lifetime opportunity for us,” Collins expresses.

The team is thrilled to see where this trip will take them, but this is not the only update for Odyssey of the Mind. “Hopefully we’ll be able to help Leesburg Elementary School gain some teams,” Higgins comments. The group, being the only team at Tuscarora, is  trying to get more people involved with Odyssey of the Mind. “Most people have never heard of it before. There’s not really anyone else around doing it,” Williams remarks.

Speaking of lack of knowledge about Odyssey of the Mind, the team would appreciate more recognition. “We got called on the announcements once,” Higgins emphasizes.

Tuscarora should do all they can to show support to their team and keep an eye out as they perform at the World Finals.