SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Each child comes with an individual set of strengths and challenges they will take into the world with them. 

Odyssey of the Mind, or OM, zeros in on the power of brain diversity to reach victory together. 

It is a volunteer-run after-school program serving grades from kindergarten to college level. The program works by providing a list of “problems” in various categories that teams can choose from, such as building a vehicle, constructing a robot or designing an innovative contraption.  

The Holy Spirit Parish School’s Odyssey of the Mind team designed a dinner party based on the beloved book “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” The team created a fantasy kitchen called “Holy Gobstoppers,” a machine turning healthy food into “fun food.” What kid doesn’t dream of that? Although entertaining, it took much work. The team had to develop a story, write the script, and build the sets and costumes, much like a theater production. 

The team’s coach, Odyssey of the Mind alumna Monica Robinson, helped bring the program to Holy Spirit. 

“There’s nothing else like this,” Robinson said. “You need different brains to make this work. Everything is run by the kids. I can help coach and guide them but can’t lead them in a particular direction. They own it.”

Parent Diedre Seefeldt had her concerns in the beginning: “I’ll be honest. I thought it was going to be a mess, but in the end, it turned out great. They did everything. It’s weird when you back away and find the kids can handle the problem-solving all by themselves.”  

And that’s the point. Helicopter parents should not apply. Kids are expected to be resourceful and learn from their own mistakes. They are encouraged to push boundaries and face uncomfortable moments, too. In these efforts, they build confidence in their individual talents. Since 1978, when

Odyssey of the Mind was founded by Dr. Sam Micklus, generations of students have experienced the program. 

Leonardo Da Vinci School parent Julia Willsie, also an Odyssey of the Mind alumna, said, “I was into sports as a kid but OM gave me the confidence to believe that my mind is a powerful tool and I can succeed using my brain, not just sports.”

Willsie attended the world competition in fifth grade and now her son, Jacob, is following in her footsteps. 

“It’s nice to have the freedom to make my own decisions,” Jacob said. “But it’s not just me; it’s my team making decisions. We take our ideas, squish them together and move them around.”

And that’s the beauty of their work. The youth collaborate with teammates they might not hang out with on a regular school day. They find strength in their differences and learn to create something as a group. 

Jacob is interested in aeronautical engineering.

“This has helped me learn more about the engineering part and how to use tools like soldering metal,” Jacob said. 

His passion for the field has only grown. Many successful adults have gone through the Odyssey of the Mind program, including world-class surgeons, professors, successful entrepreneurs and NASA scientists. Today’s Odyssey of the Mind participants can use the program as a resume-builder for college admissions. 

The youth also benefit by learning to speak up and advocate for themselves. During a recent state tournament, the Holy Spirit team initially lost. The judges explained that the team didn’t follow the project rules. Team members Kennedy and Sally disagreed, saying that they were wrongly eliminated. They chose to plead to a tribunal of three adults with parents out of the room. Ultimately, they won and are moving forward to the world competition. 

“I felt pressure and was a bit nervous. If we didn’t get those points, I’d be sad,” Kennedy said. “Then we ended up winning and we are really happy.”

Sally added, “I’m glad I stood up to the adults. I like debating and it turned out well.”  

Both girls walked in to reasonably discuss the situation and were ready to accept the final decision, exhibiting a level of maturity that will help them advocate for themselves as adults. 

“We were so proud of them for making the case. We weren’t expecting to move forward but now we are attending Worlds,” Seefeldt said. “This experience will live with them the rest of their lives.” 

Leonardo Da Vinci and the Holy Spirit team will attend the Odyssey of the Mind finals in Michigan from May 21 to May 24. Hundreds of teams from across the globe will join them. It’s the first time in 10 years that a Sacramento team will be represented in Odessey of the Mind World Finals.

To learn more about the OM program and get involved, visit norcalodyssey.org.