World Champion Richland One Team Honored at the State House

Being world champions has its perks, privileges and just rewards. On Wednesday, June 6 the Busy Bodies, the team of Lewis Greenview Elementary students who won first place in the World Finals of the Odyssey of the Mind competition, got the VIP treatment at the State House, including a tour, standing ovation from legislators and a framed legislative resolution recognizing their achievement.

As the girls stood to be recognized in the House chambers, the only smiles gleaming brighter than theirs were those of their very proud parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and principal. Rep.Dennis Moss, D-Cherokee, introduced fifth-graders Destiny Tolbert, Ebony English, Ayanna Suber, Sarah Nesbit, Maya Dilligard, Desia Truesdale and KaDeedra Elkins, along with their coaches John and Sonya Tolbert.

On May 23 -26 the team competed in the World Finals against 65 teams from schools around the nation and the world including Canada, China and South Korea. The competition was held on the campus of Michigan State University. As state Odyssey of the Mind champs they won the privilege of competing in the World Finals.

Lewis Greenview Elementary has won the state Odyssey of the Mind championship for the past three years and teams advancing to the World Finals have always placed in the top six.

The Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that challenges students from kindergarten to college to solve problems using their creative skills and quick thinking abilities…attributes that will benefit them for a lifetime. Teams work together to solve problems ranging from building mechanical devices to performing original interpretations of literary classics. Teams then present their solutions in local, state and world competitions. Thousands of teams from the United States and from 25 other countries participate in this program.

During the World Finals, the Busy Bodies had to design and build a set, create their own costumes, present their performance within eight minutes and think fast on their feet during a question-and-answer period with the judges.

For more information, contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7510 or 231-7504.