By Andreanna Schultz

After months of preparation, Odyssey of the Mind’s first tournament is quickly approaching. On March 9, TPA’s nine teams will compete at the Regionals. Months of work will be put to the test as teams strive to qualify for State.

The work that goes into OM typically ranges from 80-100 hours, involving various stages such as building and brainstorming. Preparations only add to the piles of homework students receive. Although it takes a lot of time to prepare, Odyssey tournaments pay off, both in finally finishing and the experience teams gain.

Program director Mrs. Borawski tells of the experience students can gain from it. “In addition to the problem solving and creative thinking, students experience working together in a team for months.  Team dynamics can create challenges that have to be solved in a manner that is good for the team.  Students have to compromise, debate and sometimes vote to move forward together.  At the competitions the students also experience the ‘the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.’”