Sonoma team heads to Odyssey of the Mind world championship

First time a local team has made it past state competition|

Seven teams from Sonoma participated in the 2019 Odyssey of the Mind Redwood Regional competition in February at Santa Rosa High School and four of those teams advanced to the State Championship held in March at Maria Carrillo High School. One of them, Sonoma Young Makers, came in second in its division at the state tournament and has been invited to participate in the Odyssey World Championship at Michigan State University on May 22. This is the first time a team from Sonoma has made it to the World Championship.

“I’ve been participating in Odyssey of the Mind since third grade and it is amazing to get this opportunity to participate in the World finals,” said student Melina Johnston.

At the regional competition, Prestwood fifth Graders Ashlyn Dexter, Rosie McWhorter, Audrey Westfall and Emma Curotto won first place in Division 1 for the Vehicle Challenge “Omer to the Rescue.”

Prestwood fifth graders Ari Volat, Coe Dexter, Caitlin Gullotta, Tilly Francis and Kendall Caton competed in the Classic Challenge “Leonardo’s Workshop” and came in fourth in their division

Prestwood third graders Madison Afterman, Trevor Bauer, Gus Payne, Raven Perkins and Arthur Veelo took second place in their division for the Technical Challenge “Hide in Plain Sight.”

Prestwood third and fourth graders August Kendall, Gately Mason, Mary Miller and Ayden Pickett took first in their division for the Structure Toss problem.

Prestwood second graders Ruby Barron, Randall Bennett, Dominic Curotto, Ellie Miller and Faye Navas took fourth place in the “Opposites Distract” problem.

Prestwood primary-grades team – comprised of Ryder Behan, Isla Bennett, Chloe Ann Coffey, Nolan Marchesi and Sienna Tadlock – competed in the “Museum Makers” category.

All of the teams are coached by local parents volunteers.

The team heading to the world championship is the middle school Sonoma Young Makers team composed of Altimira and St. Francis students. The team, many of whom have practiced together for the past five years, is made up of Lucas Stevenson, Blake Scott, Lily Gelb, Ella Heitmeyer, Sam Cannariato and Melina Johnston. The team’s coaches are Elizabeth Stevenson and Kevin Cannariato.

The team came in second place in its division at the state Odyssey of the Mind championship and they will travel to Michigan to compete in the world championship. The team is fundraising at bit.ly/SonomaOTM.

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