CUTLINES:

CADETS: One team performs their skit for the “A Stellar Hangout” category.

MOCKTEAM:

OP Elementary takes on the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament

By Alex Wilson

ORANGE PARK – Deep in space, in an alien cantina, Callahan’s Cadets stumbled upon a treasure map which could lead them to the fabled “Aurora’s Tears,” a mysterious elixir which can transform any droid or robot into a human being.

The Cadets are a diverse crew, with members hailing from a variety of planets. One cadet sported a rainbow unicorn horn on her forehead, while another’s purple skin proved her alien origins. The bartender seemed to be the only human around.

“You can call me Solo, mostly because I work this place alone,” said the bartender.

In reality, the cantina was actually a music room at St. Johns Country Day School, and the cadets were just sixth grade students. Yet for a moment, reality was suspended, and the crowd of on looking parents were transported to a galaxy far, far away.

On Feb. 18, two teams from Orange Park Elementary took time out of their Saturday to represent Clay County in the 2018 Odyssey of the Mind Manatee Regional Tournament. A creative problem-solving competition, Odyssey of the Mind pits the wits of students of all ages against each other in an effort to foster innovation and teamwork.

The first team competed in a mockumentary category that focused on classic literature. The team chose “Charlotte’s Web,” told from the perspective of the other farm animals. The second team participated in the “A Stellar Hangout” category, which focused on a sci-fi themed skit.

“It’s about team-building, but also about exploring yourself,” said Piper Coleman, from the mockumentary team. “You can be weird, without being weird.”

Beyond their chosen categories, each team also had to tackle a “spontaneous” problem. Only the team and the judges are allowed in the room during the problem, and no hint as to the subject is given beforehand. Both the spontaneous and chosen categories are scored on a variety of components, primarily focusing on creativity and problem-solving capacities.

The mockumentary team of Orange Park Elementary students Sarah Younger, Sarah Koutz, Piper Coleman, Harper Herring, Emery Thomas and Bess Reddick. The sci-fi team consisted of Bella Feliciano, Caitlin Hinton, Salina Bui, Gabi Dowd, Aubri Martin, Jaevin Sturges and William Hague. The teams were coached by Anna Younger and Tracy Hinton.

“I’m as proud as a peacock,” said Dale Hinton, grandfather of Caitlin Hinton. “This gives them such a great opportunity to express themselves.”

Ultimately, the mockumentary team scored fourth in the region for their age group, while the sci-fi team scored second in the region for their age group. Neither team scored high enough to move on to the state competition, but that didn’t stop the students from having and learning something at the same time. Before she even knew the results, Sarah Younger, who competed in the mockumentary category, emphasized that sentiment.

“You don’t succeed until you fail at least once,” Younger said.