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 Register Today! Learn more! Local Contacts 2009 Problem Synopses Practice Problems Classroom Activities Creative People Clarifications COU Sponsors Member Area Director's Corner Home |
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There are members of Odyssey of the ind that spend
just as many hours at practices as teams -- yet never
see the spotlight of performance. They take responsibility
for helping millions of children and they donate their
time and energy to students world-wide.
They have mastered the art of
ordering pizza, helping to manage disputes,
and offering tons of invaluable
skills, all while holding back their
own creative ideas. When it comes
time for awards and accolades, they
are left cheering in the wings. They do
not receive medals or scholarships,
and do not even expect it. They
always give encouragement and pats
on the back, but are rarely given the
same. However, Odyssey of the ind
could never work without its
COACHES.
Coaches aryann Williams and ichelle Lipovich from Mars, Pa. accepted the Creativity Award on behalf of all Odyssey coaches. "On behalf of all the coaches we'd like to thank you for this recognition. As coaches we are teachers, mothers, and fathers, but we all have the same love of Odyssey and the love of these kids. In no other forum could we ever facilitate building trash into treasure or building a foundation for young people to make a better future for us all," said Williams in her acceptance speech. The Creativity Award is given to a person or group that helps instill creativity in others. That is the definition of an Oot coach. They work tirelessly to help draw out creativity in students and help shape countless lives in the progress. Coaches work as guides helping students to find their own paths to creativity. Coaching is at times difficult and stressful and could be a thankless job. So how can this group of people best be honored? Just seeing the teams in action is enough according to Coach Lipovich. She said, "This is why we make the time in our busy lives, because our reward for coaching an Odyssey of the ind team is just witnessing the five to seven students, each with different personalities, skills, and opinions, come to a solution to a complex problem." Perhaps the best "thank you" is the reaction from teams when Sammy says at the Awards Ceremony, "Will the team with the greatest coach in the world make noise now!" The resulting wall-shaking, ear-busting, thunderous applause and screams from an arena filled with thousands of appreciative kids expresses the sentiment best.  A 2006 WF winner from Kentucky celebrates with her coach. |