Odyssey of the Mind

What a production! For months Paul and Ellie have been meeting after school getting ready for Odyssey of the Mind.  Lets make it easy, lets call it OM.  And lets make it even easier, I'll just copy and paste what OM is so I don't have to try and explain it:
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program. 
Schools or community groups purchase a membership and form teams of up to seven students. Each team chooses one of five competitive problems to solve. The problems appeal to a wide range of interests; some are technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance-oriented. Under the guidance of an adult coach, teams work on their solutions throughout the school year and, if they choose, present them in organized competitions in the spring. The "friendly" competitive aspect encourages students to be the best that they can be.

Our group was to create a 8 min play with the theme: "it's how you look at it."  They have to do all the work- the coach is only there to help guide them.  They have to create the script, set, costumes, hair, all by themselves. 

They did a great job painting the set- which was a cardboard triangle and they rotated for the scenes.

Here Ellie is creating the inside of the house scene.

Finally! After months of preparing they are ready! Ellie, Paul, Ayla, Kristy

Ellie looks a little nervous!

Getting ready to go on! The anticipation hung thick in the air!

Kyle and Gabe hanging out- it was actually cold- the high was 63! We were all bundled up to make certain we didn't get frostbite.

We love this little squinty face Gabe likes to make.

Our good friends Jane, Maryn and Ted

Getting ready to watch the performance!

Here are the stars after the big show.  You can check out their performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe6EYwv3Sqo

 The kids did such a wonderful job!  They set up quickly and orderly, they spoke clearly and slowly.  They had so much fun doing it!

Here they are with their coach, Joe.  He put in so many hours and was great with the kids.  Thanks Joe for all your hard work!

Here is a close up of Ellie.  Remember they had to design their costumes themselves.  She made the skirt out of duct tape, and covered her shirt with duct tape.  Paul put her hair in curlers the night before at midnight, and one of the other girls did her makeup.  Isn't she beautiful??!!

Here are the judges.  They made it fun for the kids so they wouldn't be so nervous.  It was a pretty big event, the place was PACKED!  There were all different groups in all different rooms.  Over a thousand kids preformed at the school that day.

OM was one of those things that the night before you wonder what you were thinking signing up for it.  At midnight I was getting things finished up and I thought, "what a ton of work! What have I gotten myself into?"  But then the next day arrived, and even with 5 hours of sleep, a flat tire incident, and no husband, we had a blast.   When we arrived there was excitement in the air that lasted all day.  It was so fun to be a part of the action.  The kids didn't want to go home after being there all day.  Everyone was so helpful and happy and it really was a lot of fun.  So thanks to all that helped, especially Mrs. Salmons and Joe.  It was a great experience!