Muskego 'Odyssey' Teams Get Ready for World Competition

Muskego is nearly in a class by itself when it comes to Odyssey of the Mind, which is an entertaining, skit-based problem solving presentation that helps students learn leadership, teamwork and design skills.

Often sending dozens of teams to the state competition every year, this year Muskego again came away with winning teams that will advance to world competition during Memorial Day weekend in Michigan. Muskego High School and Lakeview Elementary will each have teams competing among 800 teams from 26 countries for the three-day international competition at Michigan State University.

"This was my first year coaching so it was a lot to take in but really fun," said Lakeview Elementary OTM coach Jessica Pemble. "It has been fun to see the creativity these kids have. Our team placed 2nd at state, and usually only the 1st place winner is asked to attend World, but since our team was within three points of 1st place, they asked both to attend."

To get there, teams have started to plan fundraisers to offset travel and lodging costs.

Lakeview is planning a fundraiser this coming Monday, April 29 at Culver's in Muskego. A percentage from sales will go to help get the 3rd and 4th graders on the team to Michigan along with all of the equipment needed to create their presentation.

According to MHS coaches Kathy and Chuck Kremer and Karen Ponteri, the MHS students on the team are Soeren Alrutz, Paul Kremer, Max Kulik, Alex and Sam Ponteri, Alec Vander Heyden and Jack Williams. The team’s problem is to design, build and run three vehicles from different areas and through obstacles to deliver parts that will be assembled into a pet animal. 

Once the animal is assembled, it will perform a trick or be part of a trick. The team will present a theme for its performance that incorporates the running of the vehicles and the assembly of the pet animal.

The MHS team designed, built, programmed a vehicle with Arduino software and won an award for this design.

Fundraising for their team is tentatively scheduled for Mother’s day weekend and will likely be a plant sale. Donors or sponsors can contribute to Muskego School district and receive a tax write off.