MEHMS Odyssey of the Mind Team Heads to World Finals
A team of 5th grade girls from Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School will be going to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames on May 26, 2009. They won that honor by presenting their solution to the problem “Teach Yer Creature” at the Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament in Newport News, VA this past weekend.
The team created a marionette pig they named Phillipe, and then presented their humorous play about the truffle-smelling French pig who learns to love his long snout and be proud of who he is. Phillipe was required to perform five different actions, including observing an action from another character in the play and then repeating that action. The performance charmed the audience and judges alike, especially when, at the end of the play, Phillipe declares “Vive Le Difference!! Vive Le Difference!!”
Pictured from left to right are team members Erin McMillen, Lillian Soltys, Caroline Duffett, Annie Washa, Mary Catherine Donovan, Maraena Allen-Lewis and Cami Malm, and their pig, Phillipe. The team is coached by parents Kathy Washa and Connie Juntunen.
To support the team, donations can be made online to the Falls Church Education Foundation or by check made payable to: Falls Church Education Foundation, 450 W. Broad Street, Suite 305 Falls Church, VA 22046 with the designation “MEHMS 2009 Odyssey of the MInd State Champions”.
By Dave Witzel
May 4, 2009
Awesome. Congrats to the team. Odyssey of the Mind is terrific.
THIS IS AN OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS TEAM OF GIRLS TO REPRESENT NOT ONLY THEIR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY BUT TO COMPETE ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS AS WELL. GO GIRLS, GO! I AM VERY PROUD OF EACH OF YOU. HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. WIN BIG!!!
Thank you for the lovely comments. We came in 15th out of 53 teams last year and that was good enough for me and the rest of the team!