SHERBURNE – Solving problems in creative and different ways is a skill that is difficult to teach in the classroom, but after sending three teams to the Odyssey of the Mind World Tournament in Maryland, Sherburne-Earlville students had a chance to show off their skills for doing exactly that.

Three Sherburne teams participated in the World Odyssey of the Mind Competition, held from May 31-June 3 at the University of Maryland, and had the chance to compete against teams from China, Poland, Kazahkstan and other areas around the world.

Approximately 850 teams from around the world traveled to the Odyssey finals. “There were 18,500 people competing and supporting teams from every corner of the US and several different countries,” said Sherburne Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator Jonathan Sherry. Not only did the students have a chance to compete in an international contest, but they also had the chance to make friends with people from around the world.

“We met people from all over the U.S. and the entire planet,” Sherry said, explaining that the Sherburne teams “adopted” a team from Kazahkstan, and one from Poland, providing emotional support during their time away from home.

In addition, the teams were able to gain impressive finishes for their respective question and division. Heather Pfohl’s high school team was able to take fifth place in their category. Made up of team members Karli Harris, Samantha Crandall, Brenda Hoefler, Adrian Enscoe, Ellen Fagan, Taylor Morris and Joseph Mettler, the team also won first place in the world for their unique long-term creative solution.