[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE WHITE BEAR LAKE'S CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAM

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge a local middle 
school's achievement at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals and the 
achievement of other Minnesota schools at this special competition in 
Knoxville, TN.
  Odyssey of the Mind is an activity designed to engage childrens' 
minds and helps them develop their creativity. Through exercises that 
require impromptu and creative responses, the team works together to 
create a solution. White Bear Lake's Central Middle School received one 
of five special awards during this unique competition. The team was 
recognized for its outstanding creativity in its solution to the 
``Environmental Challenge'' Division II category. The team competed 
with more than 800 teams representing 28 countries. Success against 
tough competition such as this is truly an outstanding achievement. Its 
encouraging as an educator and member of Congress to see the emphasis 
upon academic achievement and excellence.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record an article from the May 31, 1999 
Star Tribune detailing the accomplishments of White Bear Lake's Central 
Middle Schools Odyssey of the Mind team as well as the achievements and 
recognition accorded additional Minnesota schools.

                  White Bear Gets a Top Odyssey Award


   Central Middle honored for creativity; Anoka High among top state 
                               finishers

                           (By Terry Collins)

       White Bear Lake's Central Middle School was one of five 
     teams internationally to receive a special award during this 
     weekend's 20th Annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals 
     competition in Knoxville, Tenn.
       The students received the ``Ranata Fusca'' award for 
     outstanding creativity for the solution of a problem in the 
     ``Environmental Challenge'' Division II category.
       The students were nominated by a panel judging their 
     problem.
       ``It's outstanding,'' said Karen Karbo, director of the 
     Minnesota state Odyssey of the Mind. ``They took a great risk 
     that involved great skill. It's quite an award. I couldn't be 
     more proud.''
       Anoka High School had one of the highest finishes of any 
     Minnesota school. Students placed second in the ``Radiometric 
     Structure'' Division III problem-solving category.
       ``They were exceptional,'' Karbo said. ``To finish that 
     high out of several hundred teams in their division is 
     remarkable.''
       They were among about 5,500 students from the United States 
     and 28 countries who participated, all winners of their local 
     or regional Odyssey competitions.
       More than 800 student teams tested their wits in several 
     categories, including devising a species-survival plan, 
     putting a contemporary spin on Shakespeare and calculating 
     how much weight a self-built balsa-wood structure can hold.
       The finals started Thursday and concluded Saturday.
       Other Twin Cities-area finalists included:
       Cedar Ridge Elementary, Eden Prairie: fourth place, 
     ``Customer Service,'' Div. L.
       Inver Grove Heights Middle, Inver Grove Heights: ninth 
     place, ``Customer Service,'' Div. II.
       Hopkins Community Education Program Gold, Hopkins: 11th 
     place, ``Over the Mountain,'' Div. II; 13th place, ``O, My 
     Faire Shakespeare,'' Div. III.
       St. Louis Park School District's Gifted/Talented Program, 
     St. Louis Park: 14th place, ``Ratiometric Structure,'' Div. 
     L.
       Greenleaf Elementary, Apple Valley: 19th place, 
     ``Environmental Challenge,'' Div. I.
       Coon Rapids High, Coon Rapids: 23rd place, ``Over the 
     Mountain,'' Div. III.
       Other Minnesota finalists included:
       Fergus Falls Middle, Fergus Falls, Minn.: Third place, 
     ``Environmental Challenge,'' Div. III.
       College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn./St. John's 
     University, Collegeville, Minn.: Fourth place, ``Radiometric 
     Structure,'' Div. IV; 14th place ``O, My Faire Shakespeare,'' 
     Div. IV.
       Hermantown Middle, Hermantown, Minn.: 12th place, ``O, My 
     Faire Shakespeare,'' Div. II.
       Queen of Peace Middle, Cloquet, Minn.: 16th place, 
     ``Radiometric Structure,'' Div. I.
       Robert Asp School, Moorhead, Minn.: 24th place, ``O, My 
     Faire Shakepeare,'' Div. I.
       Karbo said Minnesota has the ninth-largest Odyssey student 
     participation in the world. More than 1,000 students 
     participated this year in 10 regional Odyssey competitions 
     throughout the state.
       ``They truly represent the finest students we have in this 
     state,'' Karbo said. ``To even get to this level of 
     competition is extraordinary.''

     

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