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for Rocky Mount, NC, School
The all-girl team had worked long and hard to raise funds for the trip to the University of Maryland, and were hugely successful. The girls solicited donations from individuals and organizations, and held the usual car wash and bake sales. They were extra fortunate that their school and community were so supportive. They had a movie night and sold food at lunch and school functions. The PTA even paid them to perform their solution for the school and community. The girls used what they needed for the trip to Maryland and even had funds left over. When faced with the question of what to do with the money, the answer came easily: Give something back. As an expression of gratitude for the overwhelming support, they donated some of the money to Englewood Elementary to assist future World Finals teams. Then they got really creative and decided to purchase books for every classroom in the school. But it couldn’t be just any book — they wanted one that embodies the Odyssey of the Mind spirit. They chose When My Name Was Keoko by Newbery-award-winner Linda Sue Park. They even invited the author to pay a visit — and she accepted! The girls put much thought into their donation by choosing an author whose works have the same ideals as Odyssey of the Mind. They chose Park's book because of her themes about courage, creativity, perseverance, acceptance of differences, and respect for all cultures. These were the same themes the girls emphasized in their Feature Creature solution. The team was excited to meet the author when she spoke at Edwards Middle School, where the girls are now students. The books even feature a bookplate with information about Odyssey of the Mind, so other students can learn about the program for years to come.  Something About the AuthorLinda Sue Park was born in the U.S. to Korean immigrants. When My Name Was Keoko is the true story of Linda's mother, who grew up in Japanese-occupied Korea in the 1940's. In 2002, Park received the John Newbery Medal for A Single Shard, the story of a poor orphan boy in Korea in the 1100's who dreams of making beautiful pottery. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children published in English in the U.S.  The Feature Creature Div I team purchased books for every class in the school and met with the book's award-winning author. Left to right: (front row) Allison Raper, Julia Amend; (middle row) Catherine Stuart Wallace, Annika Sinha, Aubrey Reeves; (back row) Catherine Hedgepeth, author Linda Sue Park, and Heather Werner. |