® ® Odyssey of the Mind Volume 35 Winter 2013 Number 2 n January 28th the New Jersey Senate and General As- The resolution, signed by Senator Madden, Assemblyman sembly recognized Odyssey of the Mind with an offi cial Moriarty, and Assemblywoman Mosquera describes the Odyssey O resolution celebrating its 35th anniversary. of the Mind program and commends its dedication to students of Program Director Sammy Micklus, along with his family, ac- all ages. In part, it read: cepted the resolution during an assembly meeting. “...Odyssey of the Mind stands as a beacon of the heights “We are especially proud to receive recognition from New to which education can aspire and is an exceptional example Jersey since it is the state where Odyssey got its start. We’d also of the success possible through innovative programs which like to thank all of our associations and volunteers for helping to challenges students...” keep the program going strong over the years. We hope to bring creative-problem solving to students around the world for another 35 years and beyond,” he said. ’S ODYSSEY! TO NNIVERSARY FLASHBACKTH A 10 TH ! 15 ND A Program Director Sammy Micklus accepting the New Jersey Resolution with his family, Katarina, William, and Cheryl Mick- lus. It was presented to them by Assemblywoman Gabriela Mos- quera and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (pictured right). Also in this issue... 2. Reminders 4. OotM Souvenirs 2. Great Minds 5. Souvenir Order Form 3. Odysseyy y Angelsg Top: Dr. Sam speaking in 1988 at World Finals during Od- yssey’s tenth year. Bottom: A World Finals structure team at ProgressProg 6. Odyssey Around the World Finals in 1993. Both events were held at the University ReportRep World of Maryland in College Park, MD. Winter 2013 Odyssey of the Mind Newsletter Page 2 Stay up-to-date and submit clarifications by visiting www. odysseyofthemind.com/clarifications Remember: The problem clarifi cation system is not intended to replace reading the problem and the program guide. Please reread both before submitting a clarifi cation. Do not submit a clarifi cation that asks: (1) if an idea is creative or if one idea would receive more score than another. (No comment re- garding subjective scoring will be provided); (2) where the judges or the audience will be during the performance (that is a question for your Tournament Director); (3) to confi rm the wording of the problem; (4) if something may be different from an aspect that is specifi - cally required (for example, if the problem requires 1/8” wood for a part, you are not allowed to use 1/16” wood for that required part). 2013 PROBLEM TEES: Show off your OotM problem as a team member, or your support as a parent or coach with the newly-designed 2012-13 problem t-shirts. Not only do they make great shirts to show your Odyssey pride, but they can also be worn during competition and are exempt from cost as written in the 2012-13 Program Guide. The shirts can be viewed in color and purchased online at www.odysseyofthemind.com/shop. They are available in all the long-term problems, including primary. The shirts feature the problem name and current year along with a fun graphic. They are a fun way to make a great team impression in your school and beyond! Leonard’s musical life continued to grow, taking him on sev- eral international tours during the 1950s. He also began com- posing. Of his many popular efforts, On the Waterfront (1954), Great Candide (1956), and West Side Story (1957) are the best known. He also found a love for teaching. Aside from his music ambitions, Bernstein lectured at Har- vard and other Universities. He also wanted to introduce clas- Minds sical music to people who may not be able to attend Harvard or go to symphonies. He created accessible performances for the average American family by developing a television series that would go on to instill a love for classical music in children eonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was a celebrated musician, and adults. His award-winning television series “Omnibus” and composer, author, and conductor that brought a new cred- “Young People’s Concerts” allowed him to inspire a whole new Libility to American classical music. He was also an educa- audience of music lovers. tor that believed that music and the arts were essential subjects in the education system. He dedicated much of his life inspiring He received many awards from around the world throughout others with his love of music through his lectures, books, and his career — from musical, to education, to humanitarian. He highly acclaimed TV series. received 16 Grammys, numerous honorary degrees, Tony awards and more. He received a lifetime achievement award from the A son of immigrant parents, Bernstein was encouraged to Japan Arts Association and used the winnings from this award seek out a more stable profession than music. However, Bern- to start a foundation to continue his legacy of inspiring future stein’s childhood interest in the piano could not be diverted. He musicians and to keep music and the arts in schools. He spoke in discovered the piano at ten, and was determined to learn all he an interview about what he hoped it would achieve, “…besides could. Since his father refused to pay for piano lessons, Bernstein the obvious attempts to get music and kids together, there will be worked and saved money for his own lessons. His determination the overriding goal of teaching teachers to discover their own and natural ability impressed his instructor, and eventually his love of learning.” father as well. He went on, with his parents’ support, to continue his music studies at Harvard University and at the Curtis Insti- Unfortunately, The Academy for the Love of Learning was not tute of Music in Philadelphia. completed until after his death, however, it continues to promote Bernstein’s dream of integrated arts and music in education. He got his fi rst big break by accident. While working at the New York Philharmonic, a guest conductor cancelled at the last Bernstein was a prolifi c musician and he urged others to do minute, so Bernstein had to fi ll in. His energy and skill used in the same by incorporating music into learning and education. conducting a diffi cult piece with such little time for preparation impressed the audience — and the media. Winter 2013 Odyssey of the Mind Newsletter Page 3 here has been an enormous response to the 2nd year The form simply asks what you have done so far for your of the Odyssey Angels program. We have received so project and requires a reference from the community member(s) Tmany inspiring ideas during the Odyssey Angel en- you are helping. Keep in mind that your project can be ongoing. rollment period and are proud that so many people are willing to You don’t have to stop because of the deadline. help their communities and give aid to those who may otherwise Also, remember that you do not have to fi ll out the form as be overlooked. soon as you receive it. You should submit it when you feel it is There are groups helping storm-affected families, neighbors the best time to be judged on your work, as long as it is before with disabilities, fellow students, foster kids, homeless shelters, the deadline. and more. We consider everyone a hero that chose to enroll. Un- After April 1st the Odyssey Angels panel will have the diffi - fortunately, only one group can be selected to attend World Fi- cult task of selecting just one group to attend World Finals. This nals. Here are the next steps to completing the Odyssey Angel group will by notifi ed by Odyssey Angels Director Cheryl Mick- program for this year. lus and the results will be posted to the Odyssey Angels web site. If you have enrolled in the program by completing There are so many generous and creative entries that the online enrollment form, you will be sent a although only one group can present at World follow-up email that contains the “Progress Finals, many communities around the world Report” form for your group. benefi t — they are the true winners! A representative can fi ll it out and re- Again, we thank the groups for their turn it any time before the April 1st dead- hard work and look forward to reading line. You must return it by this time in about all the good that has been done in order to be eligible to attend World those progress reports! Finals and present your project at the Creativity Festival. LEARN MORE AT www.odysseyangels.org Brainstorm for next year! If you have not enrolled in the program but want to participate, TO ANT you can start working on projects for the next program year. W WF Becoming an Odyssey Angel is simple. Start looking for neighbors in need. Use your cre- FOR ative problem-solving skills to help — then tell us how you did it. TRY 2014? Enrollment for 2013-14 begins July 1, 2013 The Pinetree Secondary School was selected to attend World Finals in 2012. (Left) The Pinetree Odyssey Angels display their cre- ative design for a shopping cart that traveled across Canada. This group helped Joe Roberts of the Push for Change Campaign raise funds and awareness for homeless youth. (Right) The group was presented a plaque at the 2012 World Finals Opening Ceremonies at Iowa State University. Joe Roberts even traveled to Iowa to surprise the group and to speak about the project.