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Mountain View Middle School students won the Odyssey of the Mind competition at the California State level and are now qualified to compete in the World level of the event on May 26-29, 2010 at Michigan State University in Lansing.“Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program,” states the event’s website.
Mountain View is a small school of just over 200 students in the rural area of Turlock and is part of the Chatom Unified School District.
Mountain View Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is comprised of sixth-graders Taylor Jordao, Alexia Nunes and Morgan Nunes; seventh-graders Kila Coffey, McKenzie Neves and Ileana Trujillo; and eighth-grader Seth Bewley.
With the coaching of Tina Nunes, the team was required to create a play, make all of their own costumes and build their props completely on their own. The Mountain View students did this after school at their coach’s house. The team had to follow very specific parameters for everything and was judged on every detail of it right down to the length of the play.
The day of the competition the Mountain View team also participated in a spontaneous problem that judged them on their ability to, not only solve the problem they were given, but do it as a cooperative team.
They excelled beyond their imaginations and won first place out of many good teams at the Regional Competition on March 6th in Sacramento. Then they did it again, beating the best from all 8 regions in California at the State Finals in Brentwood on March 27th to take first place again.By winning the Odyssey of the Mind competition at the State level, they qualified to represent California in the World level of the event to be held on May 26-29, 2010 at Michigan State University in Lansing.
“I am proud to work with such a talented and creative group of students. They have worked hard to earn this honor and deserve the opportunity to compete at the World Finals,” said Tina Nunes. “Often times our small rural school does not get the recognition it deserves. The Chatom Union School District is providing our students with a well rounded education that is sure to assist them in a successful future.”
It will cost around $1,000 per student for travel arrangement to Lansing Michigan, expenses and the cost of shipping supplies used in the previous State competition.
Kim Vieira, the Chatom Mt View PTC Treasurer, is trying to get the word out in an effort to make this happen. Due to the tough economy, schools and budgets of all kinds are seeing more and more cuts.
“We have less than a month to get this trip together and need help,” said Kim Vieira “We want the world to know that our town of Turlock is an amazing place that we are proud to call home!”
The Mountain View team will be trying to raise the money as quickly as possible because they only have about a month to get this trip together.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these kids and I don’t want to see them miss it,” said Vieira.
The Chatom School Board will hear proposed fundraising activities next week and once approved, announcements of the fundraisers will be announced.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to compete in an international scholastic event while representing our schools and Turlock community,” said Chatom School Board Member Rob Santos. “This is exciting and really something to rally behind. I am certain that the Turlock community will get this scholastic team to Michigan one way or another.”
To donate or help get the Mountain View Middle School team to this international event, please call Tina Nunes at 678-2401 or Mountain View Middle School at 664-8515.
Odyssey of the Mind 2010 California State Competition Results – Turlock Schools:
Nature Trail’R Div II
Dutcher Middle School – 4th Place
Return to The Gift of Flight Div I
Cunningham Elementary School – 14th Place
Column Structure Div I
Cunningham Elementary School – 10th Place
Column Structure Div II
Walnut Elementary Education Center – 8th Place
Food Court Div II
Mountain View Middle School – 1st Place
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – 16th Place
