Charlton Heights Odyssey of the Mind Team members finish second overall in World competition

A team of seven Charlton Heights students that wowed state judges with their creativity in March apparently had a similar impact on international judges at the 27th annual "World" Odyssey of the Mind championships at the State University in Ames, Iowa on May 24-27, 2006.

Dominic Blance, William Lamparelli, Sam Markham, Natalie Moore, Katie Peper, Meagan Roecker, Siena Wilder and their coaches Kodi Kibler and Alyssa Duprey beat all other American teams at the Worlds competition and ultimately finished second to a team from Shanghai, China. Along the way they also outscored teams from Mexico, Poland, South Korea and Singapore.

In March the team won the state Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award for their unique solution to the "Great Parade" problem in this year's OM competition, thereby earning the right to advance to "Worlds." Only five of the more than 220 New York teams competing won this award.

Describing the Charlton Heights students, the state judging panel said in March: "This Division I team wowed us with their depiction of a unique parade.  They constructed a fantastic vehicle that required the coordinated action of 3 team members on it to move and maneuver.  The theme of ants trying to get food from a picnic was echoed in the movements of the suction cup feet, complete with articulated wooden legs.  This team took risks, amazed us with their creativity and team work.  A fANTastic team!!!"