Kittery middle-schoolers reach Odyssey of the Mind championships

from the Portsmouth Herald

OdysseyOfTheMindLogoKITTERY, Maine — Five Shapleigh Middle School teams are headed to the Odyssey of the Mind state championships Saturday in Waterville. The students qualified at the regional tournament of the creative problem-solving program at Biddeford High School earlier this month.

One Shapleigh team, named “It’s How We Rule,” took first place in Division II. That team consists of Emma Ackerman, Sydney Auclair, Cameron Brayne, Julia Campion, Elias Matso, Nichole Roberts and Molly Stites. They are coached by Kristi Mathieson and Katherine Peternell.

Another Division II team, named “Driver’s Test,” also earned first place. Team members are Killian Campbell, Braeden Cole, Madelyn Battcock-Emerson, Jonah Matso, Jayce Nielsen, Henry O’Shaughnessy and Jayna Wheeler. This team is coached by Jane Bard and Jodie Nielsen.

“Stackable Structure,” made up of sixth- and eighth-graders, earned another first place finish in Division II. That team consists of Sam Battcock-Emerson, Mack D’Angelo, Jacob Gagner, Cole Gilbert, Emma O’Shaughnessy, Cameron Webb and Stephen Whitney, and is coached by Cecilia Gagner and Steve Gilbert.

Another Shapleigh team of fifth-graders, named “The Not-So-Haunted House,” won third place in Division I. Team members are Claire Barbour, Meredith Chase, Annika Huntress, Kathleen McPherson, Cooper Salema and Finnian Shea. Coaches are Kim Storm and Gillian Tierney.

The fifth team to head to the state competition is a Division I team of Yolanda Ares, Gillian Brayne, Julia Durling, Nora Gilbert, Colin Martin and Seamus Reeve. This team is coached by Jessica Brayne and Anne Gilbert.

For information, visit www.meodyssey.org.