Stand up for curiosity and learning

The Warwick Valley Humane Society Odyssey of the Mind Team is among 800 teams of students from around the country and around the world, competing in the 33 annual World Finals Competition of Odyssey of the Mind held May 22 to 27 at Iowa State University.

Being smart, having curiosity, developing a love of learning and competing in creative teams is the goal of Odyssey of the Mind. Millions of kids have been working hard all year perfecting their solutions to Odyssey of the Mind problems and competing within their regions and states in order to advance to the World Finals.

Only the “best of the best” have made it.

Now the Warwick Valley Humane Society Odyssey of the Mind Team of High School age will compete against the best students from 38 states and 16 countries.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international education program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems (some of which are sponsored by NASA) 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 levels. For more information about Odyssey of the Mind World finals, you can visit www.odvssevofthemind.com.

Two years ago the school district began cutting programs and Odyssey of the Mind was one of those programs. As a team we were forced to go out of the school and find private sponsorship; however, we were still left with the responsibility of funding the program ourselves.

In order to compete in the May World Finals, we have to raise at least $10,000 for travel, accommodations and all of the other expenses that are necessary for the team to compete.

Without raising these funds we will be unable to compete in this World Competition.

Won’t you please stand up for intellectual curiosity and learning by making any donation to the Warwick Valley Humane Society Odyssey of the Mind Team?

Any donation will be appreciated.

Thank you for considering our request.

All contributions can be made payable to Purple Champions Club, and can be mailed to WVHS Odyssey of the Mind Team c/o Kelly DiCarlantonio, 10 Valley View Circle, Warwick, N.Y. 10990.

Warwick Valley Humane Society

Odyssey of the Mind Team