FROM LEFT: Odyssey of the Mind actors Emily Frazier, Wilson Mitchell, Luke Smith, Maggie Blankemeyer, Lucas Flatter, Angela Karountzos and Erica Nobles.

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Colonial Forge Odyssey of the Mind team heads to world competition

Date published: 5/13/2008

BY ANGELA KAROUNTZOS

On Saturday, April 5, 2008, the Colonial Forge High School Odyssey of the Mind team won first place at the state competition and will be attending the world competition in June.

Odyssey of the Mind is an intense competition that tests students' creativity and teamwork. It is an extracurricular club that is a combination of academics and drama. Students are given a list of five long-term problems to choose from. Then, they are given six months to develop an eight-minute skit that answers the problem. They are scored on creativity of solution, use of materials to create sets and costumes, and the overall performance.

Coach Kim Frazier began Colonial Forge's Odyssey of the Mind club when her daughter, Emily--now a sophomore--was in kindergarten. Since then, Frazier has represented Colonial Forge twice. When she decided to compete this year, she had no idea the competition would go this far. "We have a really creative and energetic group of kids," she said.

Sophomores Wilson Mitchell, Lucas Flatter, Emily Frazier, Luke Smith, Maggie Blankemeyer, Angela Karountzos and Erica Nobles make up this year's team.

Colonial Forge is entered in the Eccentrics Division III long-term problem. The students needed to develop a skit in which three eccentric characters solve a problem. Other required elements include a fad and a creative celebration.

Colonial Forge's long-term problem has everything a good play needs: comedy, suspense, drama and a crazy preacher fish. The team's problem is "Fishocide--the cruel slaughter of innocent fish families."

"Fishocide is a serious problem and we need to prevent it. It's our civic duty," said team member Erica Nobles as the character of Fish Dude.

The skit's characters vary from a rock star named Ringo Starfish to a policeman with kinesophobia (the fear of moving). "I was laughing my fool head off. It was truly imaginative," said an audience member at a recent performance.

At the regional competition, the team competed against three others that were very qualified. But only one team could go on to the state competition. Colonial Forge was that team.

The team worked very hard to improve their sets and to make some final preparations for the next level. At the state level, the number of teams they were to compete against nearly doubled, and the pressure for going on to the world competition increased. Only first- and second-place winners would be able to advance. "It was absolutely agonizing waiting for the results," said Nobles. (Colonial Forge won first place.)

The world competition will be held at University of Maryland from May 31 to June 4. This is the first time Frazier's team has ever gone to worlds. "The experience of traveling to world competition will be one that stays with us throughout our entire lives," said team member Wilson Mitchell.

The team would like to thank all the parents who have supported them throughout this intense, yet fun experience. Thanks also to Stafford County for funding the team as they represent Virginia at the worlds. For more information about Odyssey of the Mind visit odysseyofthemind.com.

Angela Karountzos is a sophomore at Colonial Forge High School and a member of its current Odyssey of the Mind team.

Date published: 5/13/2008

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