South Tahoe students win state Odyssey of the Mind

By Bonnie Turnbull

Try crafting a projectile from common materials like a hat, rubber bands, paper, pennies and pencils that will sail over a barrier, under a rail, then hit a target 20 feet away. Now do it in less than 4 minutes, graciously, with four other kids. Sound easy?

South Tahoe students wow Odyssey of the Mind judges. Photos/Jen Spina

Apparently, it was for four Sierra House Elementary students — Annabelle Dressler, Jessie Brown, Kale Spina, Zoe Greco; and Darcy Daly from Saint Theresa School. After this feat, they performed their original, humorous musical “Food Court” for judges who laughed and scored them as the best of the bunch.

As winners of last weekend’s state Odyssey of the Mind tournament, they now dream of competing against 25 countries at the World Tournament in Lansing, Mich., in May.

The tournament director calls it a Cinderella story. What were the odds against a first-year team from a tiny, rural town?

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There will be an awards assembly at Sierra House Elementary at 10am on Wednesday.

Tahoe students are headed for the world Odyssey competition.

Bonnie Turnbull is coach of the Odyssey of the Mind Team.