On a World Stage, Fairview’s Odyssey of the Mind Team Represents Kentucky
Gary Newman
Ashland Beacon
Imagine a scenario where there is no known solution to a problem and a team from a local high school is charged with developing an original response and presenting it to others. Now, add other high school teams where the presentations are competitive, and one school’s solution is going to win and advance. Go a little further, and see that local high school team taking their solution-finding, solution-demonstrating team to compete against the best and brightest in the world. That’s exactly what Fairview’s team has done, as they’ve now returned from the 2023 World Odyssey of the Mind Competition in East Lansing, Michigan on the campus of Michigan State University.
“Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to develop and use their natural creativity to become problem-solvers,” first-year Fairview coach, Rena Elswick explained, “It also teaches teamwork and patience.”
Fairview’s program has 13 kids spread across two teams: a middle school team that competes in Division II (all competitors are under 15 years old). “Our middle school, unfortunately, did not place for Worlds,” Elswick explained, “but there is always next year.”
The 2023 Fairview High School team competes in Division III and they ascended to Worlds by advancing in Regional competition, then advancing at the State level. The Fairview team is compiled of Christian Fitzpatrick, Zoe Grant, Veda Mullins, Malaya Carmen, and Gage Garrettson. The faculty sponsor is Jerelyn Grant, Fairview Elementary teacher.
While at Michigan State, the kids, Elswick, and Grant experienced dorm life and were able to experience what college life may look like for a few days. In addition to the competition, they met kids from other nations and even played volleyball and soccer with a German team. Two of Fairview’s student competitors said that Michigan State was now in their consideration as a future college choice. The impact of this experience was a big one for the students from one of Kentucky’s smallest high schools. “I absolutely would do it all again next year,” Elswick expressed, “Just to see their smiles and ‘wow’ looks is enough for me to do this for a long time. We definitely have an underprivileged community, and if I can help get these kids involved, I will.”
“My whole high school team stood out!” Elswick proudly declared, “These kids are going places.” She was excited about the leadership every single team member displayed and noted that they all have the skills and ability to lead. “I’m so very proud to have been their coach this year and so excited to see where the next few years lead us,” Elkins added, “This is my first year as the Odyssey coach, and honestly it has been a pretty awesome experience. I absolutely loved everything about it.”
Advancing so far was made possible by fundraising and hard work, but there was also the support of the District. “We had tons of support from our district. Had it not been for Crystal Claar and Superintendent Jackie Risden-Smith, we would have never made it to World’s due to funding,” Elswick recounted, “It’s an expensive but very rewarding experience. We will definitely have to start fundraising earlier. I wholeheartedly believe these kids will do what it takes to make it to Worlds again.”
Fairview has competed in Odyssey of the Mind since 2017. The competition was founded by C. Samuel Micklus and Theodore Gourley in 1978 at Glassboro State College (which is now Rowan University) in Glassboro, New Jersey. Odyssey of the Minds World Championship 2024 is set to be on the campus of Iowa State University in May 2024.
