Shamrocks mind team raising money for national competition

  A group of local kids have all the smarts they need and an impressive problem-solving routine.

  Now all that the Odyssey of the Mind team from Yuma Catholic High School needs is the dollars needed to get them to world finals.

  This Odyssey of the Mind team will be the only one attending the international competition from Yuma and only the second school representing Arizona in their particular category.

  The big event is slated for May 27-31 in Ames, Iowa. So that means team members are scurrying to plan some ways the community can pitch in and help with donations. But the team's coach isn't worried a bit. She says her kids are fantastic and definitely worth every bit of the community's investment.

  "These are some of the most creative kids I have ever worked with," said team coach Adele Hennig. "They each have a talent that they bring to the table and they use it to the fullest potential."

  Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that builds and inspires kids' creativity through problem-solving challenges. Projects could range from building a mechanical device to spinning an original interpretation of a literary classic.

  The Yuma Catholic team's challenge required the kids to tell the story of two known superstitions, plus an imagined superstition.

  "Their team-created superstition was that if you drink from a bendy-straw upside you'll get the hiccups," Hennig said, laughing.

  The team recently presented their challenge at the state competition in Phoenix. They originally placed third, but were pushed up to second after a team couldn't meet travel requirements.

  Members of this year's team are Ed Harris, Lauren Hennig, Peter Hooversal, Elizabeth Norton, Nick Pierson, Tiffany Riggs and Kelsey Wyman.

  A major fundraising event coming up is YC Day at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 819 W. 32nd St. On May 16, a percentage of all purchases made will be donated to the team. Kids will also be on hand from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to do face painting for little ones, show off the costumes they wear during their presentation and tell everyone about Odyssey of the Mind.

  Team members are also selling savings cards from Domino's Pizza. A sale of Gold Canyon candles is also being planned.

  "People can also make donations. They're tax deductible," Hennig said.

  Donations can be sent to: YCHS Odyssey of the Mind, Yuma Catholic High School, 2100 W. 28th St. Yuma, AZ, 85364.

  For more information call Josie Smith at 317-7900.

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.