Muskego Odyssey Teams Heading to Nationals

Editor's note: our thanks to mom Lisa Alberte as well as dad Brett Hyde for sharing this information on results from the Odyssey of the Mind (OTM) State competition in Madison on Saturday, March 17.

Muskego School district teams participated in the Odyssey of the Mind State competition in Madison.  Many school districts from all over the state were there, and historically Muskego has sent a large number of teams to competition, which parents say is a credit to the strong program and the enthusiasm of the students and supportive parents.  

In OTM competitions, team members must apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. Concepts, props and scripts must be developed by the students with no assistance from adults.

"It shows pride and teamwork that the students build as they develop the competition performance. They have been practicing for months and give up a lot of time to be part of this great commitment," said Lisa Alberte, whose daughter Belynda is on one of the teams. 

Muskego posted five teams that will be invited again this year to the world competition, placing first in their respective categories. The Lakeview Elementary School team that placed second also performed well enough to garner a spot at world.  This year it will be held at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa  

"We came away with 4 first place, 7 second place, and 2 third place trophies," said Brett Hyde, whose daughter Samantha is also on a team from Muskego High School (MHS).

Competition is determined by divisions, with Division 1 from 1st to 5th grade; Division 2 from 6th to 8th grade, and Division 3 high school. In each presentation, teams are required to creatively present a problem and solve it.

Problem Categories and results were as follows:

"Ooh-Motional Vehicle"

• Division 1: Tess Corners Elementary- 3rd; Lakeview Elementary and Lake Denoon Middle School - tied for 2nd place
• Division 2: Bay Lane - 2nd
• Division 3: MHS - 2nd; this team also received a special OMER award for trying to solve last minute problems with their vehicle. OMERs are given to teams/individuals that exemplify the spirit of OTM

"Weird Science"

• Division 1: Lakeview - 2nd; Lake Denoon - 1st
• Division 2: Bay Lane - 2nd
• Division 3: MHS - 1st

"To Be or Not to BE!"

• Division 2: Bay Lane - 2nd; Lake Denoon - 1st

"Odyssey Angels"

• Division 2: Bay Lane - tied for 3rd
• Division 3: MHS - 1st place

The teams will compete May 23 - 26 at Iowa State University in Ames.