June 13, 2000
From the desk of the Regional Director
The 1990-2000 competition season, which began with so many questions, has ended on a positive, upbeat note. All of the regional teams, coaches, volunteers, coordinators, officials, and board members have done a tremendous job providing our students with this worthwhile program. Thank you to everyone for all you have done to support creativity in North Carolina.
Our region can be extremely proud of the eight teams who represented us at World Finals. Team and state spirit was exceptional throughout the tournament. Our teams went to watch and cheer on fellow teams and at the award ceremony the entire North Carolina contingent was on its feet cheering our award winners.
As we relax, travel and enjoy our summer please take a moment to think about the benefits of Odyssey of the Mind for our future generations and what you can do to help. It takes a TEAM of willing workers. We are accepting nominations and volunteers for the many roles, large and small, and all vital, that need to be filled to keep this organization running smoothly for our kids.
Hope you find a creative way to beat the heat J Patti Adams
World Finals Results
Complete results are available on the national Odyssey website, http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf/open_scores.asp
Elasti-pumper Div III Chapel Hill Homeschoolers ?1st
Pest Aside Div I Olive Chapel Elementary ?12th
King Arthur Div II Carnage Middle School ?14th
Shrinking Structure Div I Durant Road Ele ?5th
Shrinking Structure Div I Seawell Ele ?9th
Shrinking Structrure Div II Exploris Middle ?11th
The Genie Div I Brassfield Ele ?1st
The Genie Div I Durant Road Ele ?22nd
Congratulations team members, coaches, program coordinators, parents and supporters!
(Click on a team to see a team photo)
World Finals 2000
"Millennium Splash"
Twenty-three North Carolina teams joined over 500 teams from across the United States and from several countries of the world to spend three fun-filled days, from June 1st to June 3rd, competing in Knoxville, Tennessee. All of the teams performed well and their solutions reflected the growth and development of the studentÕs ideas and abilities in creative problem solving.
The eight teams representing the Eastern Region all placed in the upper 50% of their problem and division demonstrating the strength of our regional teams. Four of our teams received recognition during the award ceremony. Brassfield ElementaryÕs Pest Aside team, which had not progressed to World Finals, received an OmerÕs Award for their support of the Brassfield Genie team, which did go to World. The Pest Aside team had celebrated one team memberÕs birthday by asking guests to make a donation to the progressing team, to help defray travel expenses, rather than bring gifts to the honoree.
That spirit of school support spurred the Brassfield Genie team to great heights and they placed first in their division. The Chapel Hill Homeschoolers Elasti-pumper team tied for first place with a team from Hong Kong in Div III. And the Durant Road Elementary Shrinking Structure team placed fifth in division I.
World Finals 2001:
"A Creative Odyssey!"
The University of Maryland at College Park, Saturday, June 2nd through Tuesday, June 5th.
Ranatra Fusca Winners
Long Term problem Ranatra Fusca winners at the state tournament will continue to receive invitations to World Finals. Invitations to second place teams at state tournaments will be determined by the number of memberships in that state. CCI (National) will determine the number when registration is complete.
Nominations and Volunteers
The Eastern Region Board is currently (through July 12, 2000) accepting nominations and volunteers for the following positions:
Regional Director
Vice-regional Director
Tournament Director
Treasurer
Registrar/Score Room Captain
Coaches/Judges Trainer
Newsletter Editor
Webmaster
Fundraiser
Public Relations
For the Tournament Committee:
Tournament Site Coordinator
Problem Captains
Volunteer Coordinator
Souvenir Sales Coordinator
Awards Coordinator
Entertainment Coordinator
Program Coordinator
Job descriptions. To get further information about each of the positions, to nominate someone, or to volunteer please contact Patti at 933-5595 or wp_adams@mindspring.com, Janell at 493-0271 or jkl_om@wayfarer.org, or Barb Dullaghan at 461-8456 or complete the nomination form that is found on the website and mail it to: NOCM-E, 717 Caswell Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Forms must be received by July 12, 2000.
Other Help
The positions listed above are not the only way to help the region continue to provide excellence in programming for our students. If you would like to assist another individual in a position please let us know. If you have a special talent or vision you would like to see become a reality for the region, please let us know by calling or writing the people listed above.
Eastern Region Board Meeting
The Eastern Region Board will meet on July 13, 2000 from 7:00 ?9:00 PM. For directions to Merant, our host for the meeting, please call Patti 933-5595 or Janell 493-0271. The agenda includes, election of officers, recruitment of volunteers, annual budget, annual report and plans for 2001.
Fundraising
The Eastern region has been extremely fortunate to have the support of our community. In-kind donations and grants have enabled the region to provide excellent opportunities for our kids. Most recently the region received a grant from the Taylor Alexandra Albert Fund for Children of the Triangle Community Foundation.
These grants and gifts are extremely important in providing the means to present the regional tournament, coaches and judges training and to keep fees reasonable for teams.
If your employer has a grant program, or matching donor program, or would like to provide in kind goods or services, that you would like North Carolina Odyssey of the Mind Eastern Region to benefit from, your assistance would be very much appreciated. NCOM is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
National Website has new look
The national website www.odysseyofthemind.com has a new, brighter appearance. Registration is available on line for the 2000-2001 season. Synopses for the 2001 problems are also available, however the complete problems are not at present available on line. Still to be set up, will be a way to download the complete problems by using a registration number, received after registration. Note: registration is a two step process. First with national, second with the Eastern Region of NC (available in fall)
Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU)
A new non-profit organization has been formed this year to support teams with special needs, and provide scholarships. The national newsletter in the fall will contain an application for rising high school seniors. Four $500 scholarships were awarded at World Finals 2000.
Odyssey-World
www.Odyssey-World.org is a website for supporters of Odyssey of the Mind. COU has its scholarship pins and shirts available on that web site and there is a listserve associated with the website for team members, coaches, etc. Please read the guidelines for the listserve and remember that no discussion is allowed of the problem solutions and specific spontaneous problems during competition season (outside assistance).