Jennifer Veale, a spokeswoman for OotM, said in an email that more than 15,000 participants, coaches, parents, supporters, special guests and volunteers from 14 different countries were expected to attend the event.

Sam Micklus, the founder of Odyssey of the Mind, said at the opening ceremony that over the years, thousands of parents and coaches told him how much the program changed their kids’ lives for the better.

Tammy Schatzel, head coach for a team from Eisenhower Elementary School in Fort Leavenworth, Kan. said each year OotM provides five problems to choose from with each problem containing about three pages of criteria to meet within an eight-minute time limit.

This year’s problems consisted of “Pet Project,” “The Email Must Go Through,” “Classics…ARTchitecture: The Musical,” “Tumble-wood” and “It’s How You Look At It.”
Jamy Dinkins, the head judge for Division I of “It’s How You Look At It” said divisions were determined by age of the participants.

Dinkins, who said he has been involved with OotM for 19 years as a team member, coach and judge, said all of those competing in the World Finals could be considered “the best of the best” because they have finished either first or second place at their local or state level to attend the World Finals.

“The main thing we’re looking for is creativity,” Dinkins said. “The biggest category in every single problem, everything we’re looking for is how creative, how original is the team’s solution.”
Isabella Bupp, 11, from City School in Grand Blanc, Mich., has participated in OotM for two years. This year, however, was the first year she made it to the World Finals.

“When I found out I was going to (World Finals), I couldn’t do anything but cry,” Bupp said.

Bupp competed in “Classics…ARTchitecture: The Musical,” where students constructing recreated historical structures from around the world in addition to performing an original song and dance routine.

Bupp said she chose to compete in this problem because she has a passion for acting, singing and spontaneity. She also made her costume and did her makeup by herself.

Bupp said her team had been working on its performance and creating its set since last November.

“Odyssey of the Mind shows that kids can do anything,” Bupp said. “Adults can’t help you, they can’t participate. It’s all the kids’ work. So when the kids get up on the stage, they can really be proud of what they’ve done.”

Schatzel said OotM helps children learn the value of teamwork and allows them to develop traits they can take into the future.

“Odyssey of the Mind provides a great opportunity for children to work together and collaborate and learn life skills that hopefully they carry with them,” Schatzel said.