Education Foundation at Black Mountain Middle School

The Leos of Odyssey of the Mind!

Help sponsor our students as they compete in the World Championships of Odyssey of the Mind in Lansing, Michigan this May!  
Odyssey of the Mind is a non-profit academic competition that focuses on skills in problem-solving,   critical thinking, teamwork, math, language arts, science, writing, engineering, and the performing arts with a limited budget that inspires repurposing and recycling. 


This year, our team from Black Mountain chose the Mind of Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Scientist, and Thinker. For this problem, the team had to show an invention idea and how Leonardo da Vinci may have interpreted the idea when brought to him by others. They wrote an original script, created all of their own props, scenery, and costumes, and learned about teamwork and creativity along the way! 

Four thousand students will gather to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at the Michigan State University on May 22nd-25th, 2019 and our team is excited to be selected to compete. 



Our team of six enthusiastic middle school students worked incredibly hard in this extracurricular academic competition going the extra mile practicing several times a week and giving up their Saturday mornings to practice as well. 


Our team, "the Leos", not only placed first in the regional competition, they kept at it, revised and focused as they knew the competition would be fierce at the State Tournament, giving up even more Saturdays to put in the extra effort. 

Their hard work paid off and at state finals, the team placed second qualifying them to compete in the World Finals in Lansing, Michigan! (They were a little surprised and very proud).


They earned it! They worked so hard all year! 


But, We Need You! 
Your support will help this creative team, "The Leos" compete at the World Finals at Michigan State on May 21st - 25th. It will be a great honor to compete with the top teams from the US, and students from over twenty countries.

(Skipping to the spontaneous part of the competition with enthusiasm!) 

We will be one of only two teams from San Diego to represent Southern California at this world-class event and the children will be showcasing their project to teams and judges from around the world. 

(Tears of pure happiness, hard work pays off!)

(reviewing judges comments) 

Your donations will help offset the cost associated with competing at the highest level of this academic program, including bringing their props to Michigan as well as registration and lodging at the event.  


We are keeping costs down as low as possible, with driving our props out to Michigan instead of shipping and finding budget airlines to transport our team and their chaperones. Yet, it is still expensive, and we're told when all is said and done, it will cost approximately $1,500 per team member and $1,000 per chaperone.  


We deeply appreciate any assistance you can provide to help our team get to Michigan State University for the World Finals competition.

Your donation will go a long way towards providing these extraordinary students with a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase their talents, meet students from other countries, and proudly represent the Southern California region at an international venue. Thank you!!
 
Please help the Leo's to get to World Finals!

If a financial donation isn't doable right now, we'd love for you to spread the word, and drop a line of congratulations to the team. Your support whether financial or through well-wishes means the world to the children.  

WE APPRECIATE YOU! 

If you're able to contribute above and beyond, we'd love to recognize you, or your company.  Please reach out to us and we will forward on the Donor packet with more details on how to give. 
 
More information on Odyssey of the Mind World Finals can be found HERE