Last weekend, the all-freshman team from West Potomac High School participated in the State Finals of the Odyssey of the Mind Competition. The team consists of Maura Finn, Taylor Haas, Andrew Hurd, Lindsay Kibben, Lilly Lane, Erika Larsen, and Annelieske Sanders. 

They were so good that they placed first in their division and the team is moving on to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia at the Odyssey World Finals in Ames, Iowa May 23 - 27. More than 800 teams will be competing at the World Finals including teams from South America, Europe and Asia. It’s a truly exciting experience to see thousands of students descend on this college town for a weekend of “spontaneity and creativity.”

Getting there is not cheap (just getting the props there will cost over $1000), but the team is stepping up to get the job done. They have organized a hanging basket fundraiser which will help them get there and at the same time help you get something nice just in time for Mother's Day. These are truly lovely flower baskets from one of the best nurseries in the area.

Orders need to be received by Tuesday, April 24. Please support the team and their significant year-long effort. Click HERE for the order form and ordering instructions.  You may also contact Steve Larsen at 703-765-2457 or steve@larsendesignbuild.com for an order form and information.  The baskets are to be picked up at West Potomac HS on Friday, April 27 from 3 to 8 p.m.

If you prefer, the team also accepts tax-deductible donations. Please contact Steve Larsen.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.