BHS Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named State Champions

Among the 71 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 5, three of the eight Biddeford teams placed in the Top 3 of their divisions.

Both the Biddeford High School Technical and Performance Teams were named State Champions and will compete in the World Finals in Michigan this May, while the Biddeford Intermediate School Performance Team placed third in the state.

This marks the 14th time a Biddeford OM team has placed among the top three in the State and 12th time they have qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, a testament to the district’s long-standing commitment to creativity, innovation, and student-led learning. Over the years, Biddeford’s teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to tackle complex problems with originality and teamwork, earning them national recognition and repeated invitations to the global stage.

Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Maine State medalists for first and third place from the Biddeford High School and Biddeford Intermediate School Teams, from left: (Front row) Elliott Aranovitch, Emily Michael, Hugo Crockett-Current; (Middle Row) Emma Cote, Ella Ireland, Lara Galiardi, James Cote, (Back row) Pacey Eagle, Gabriella Norris, Hayden Norris, Alexander Haskell-Murray, Olivia Foster, Lillianna Forrest, Troy Keddy, Kyle Perkins; and (Missing from photo) Kayla Arsenault and Ripley Haskell-Murray. COURTESY PHOTO

 

“The level of imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills from our students continues to amaze me,” said Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind District Coordinator Victoria Salo. “The best part of OM is the ability for each child to be themselves and use their strengths to create a team that works together and has fun in the process. I have seen past OM members become artists, singers, performers, and engineers. This program truly is for all students and their success could not be possible without the dedication and support of coaches and families.”

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative, problem-solving, extra-curricular program involving students from kindergarten through college. Teams of up to seven students work together at length, with limited guidance from a coach, to solve a predefined long-term problem and present their solution to the problem at a competition. From students in special education to the top academic performers, from athletes to drama students, or those interested in math and engineering, the OM Teams are an eclectic mix of various backgrounds and interests.

Biddeford’s OM program has grown significantly, with team participation increasing by 75% over the past eight years. This year, eight teams consisting of 48 students competed across Division I, II, and III levels: one team at Biddeford Primary School (BPS); three teams at Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS); two teams at Biddeford Middle School (BMS); and two at Biddeford High School (BHS).

The following students won medals at the State Tournament: BHS Technical Team members Kayla Arsenault, Emma Cote, James Cote, Lara Galiardi, Ella Ireland, and Kyle Perkins (coached by Suzanne Tighe); BHS Performance Team members Elliott Aranovitch, Hugo Crockett-Current, Troy Keddy, and Emily Michael (coached by Victoria Salo); and BIS Performance Team members Pacey Eagle, Olivia Foster, Lillianna Forrest, Ripley Haskell-Murray, Alexander Haskell-Murray, Gabriella Norris, and Hayden Norris (coached by Teila Norris-Julien and Nicole Eagle).

Odyssey of the Mind hosts fundraisers throughout the year to support students attending World Finals. Fundraisers to date have included Family Fun Days, yard sales, bottle drives, baked sales, raffles, and calendar fundraisers.

To be kept informed of upcoming fundraisers, follow the Biddeford Odyssey of the Mind Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/biddOotM . To make a contribution to the OM program directly, checks can be made payable to Biddeford High School with Odyssey of the Mind noted in the Memo Field and mailed to 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME 04005.