LIMESTONE, Maine – Limestone Community School students recently took home a top prize in the state’s Odyssey of the Mind championship.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international problem solving competition designed to help children learn creative thinking and teamwork skills while taking on a challenge in their own way. Limestone was one of eight school teams across Maine and the only one in Aroostook to take home first-place honors after the state championships in Biddeford April 27. Sixty Maine teams competed in states, including one from Limestone and three from SAD 1 in Presque Isle.
Limestone’s Odyssey team of seven third, fourth and fifth graders performed an 8-minute play loosely based on the classic children’s novel “The Wind in the Willows.” In their version, a group of children search for their friend who has become lost in a magical forest.
The team received a nearly perfect score, in part for including the “Willows” character Mr. Mole as “the critic” of their play and a weeping willow that somehow is able to grow apples. They and coach Alva King designed and built the play’s set. Their play was part of Odyssey’s “classics” category for skits inspired by famous literature and art.
“We had to use creative skills like brainstorming and problem solving,” said fourth grader Landyn Richard, who has finished his second year of Odyssey.
Richard’s team member Charlotte Tibbert said the team’s play gave them a chance to work through obstacles and challenges as a team.
“We learned about patience,” she said.
Students performed their winning piece for Limestone Community School students, teachers and parents Friday.
King has a long history of seeing students come out of their shells because of Odyssey. She taught at Limestone Community School for 47 years and has coached Odyssey for the past 35 years, seeing 11 teams win a state championship.
Though they cannot attend the Odyssey global competition this year due to a lack of funds, King said the children have already learned valuable life skills.
“They build their confidence and perseverance,” King said. “[After performing live] I don’t think they will be embarrassed about taking risks.”
