WMS Odyssey of the Mind team preparing for World Finals in Iowa

By Masha Yurkevich

Creative problem solving is an important part of everyday life that we are not always taught at school. However, Windham Middle School (WMS) Odyssey of the Mind students are working on creative problem-solving skills that will help them later in their life. After competing in the Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament, the team placed first in their division, which qualified them for an invitation to the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals at Iowa State University from May 27 to May 30.

Windham Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind team who
will participate in the World Finals at Iowa state University
later this month are, from left, sixth grader Byrn Johnson,
eighth grader Fynnleigh Mayo, eighth grader Charlie
Johnson, eighth grader Devon Yates, sixth grader Cora
Miller and eighth grader Colin Miller.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem-solving program in which team members present their solution to a predefined long-term problem at a competition that spans many months and involves writing, design, construction, and theatrical performance,” says Rebecca Miller, the coach of this team. “A spontaneous portion of the competition also has the team generating solutions to a problem they have not seen before. Creative problem-solving, perseverance, critical thinking, compromise, and teamwork skills are honed to make this experience successful and beneficial for skills applicable to their future careers.”

Placing first in their division Odyssey of the Mind Nor'easter Tournament was a very pleasant surprise for the team, given that they had also received an Omer Award for passing on a positive spirit by making and wearing clothes pins that they made.

While Miller is the coach, everything must be student created.

“I am more of the organizer, while the students are the ones who use the saws, nails, screws, and assemble everything on their own,” she said.

Team member Fynnleigh Mayo has been in Odyssey of the Mind for nine years.

“I started in kindergarten and have so much fun every year that I continue to do it. I am very excited for Iowa because of pin trading and competing with other teams from all around the world,” he says.

His teammates have experience too.

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for around five years, and I joined because I wanted to find a fun activity that would work my mind and be able to have fun with friends,” says Charlie Johnson. “I have been to World Finals before, and one of my favorite things was pin trading. I got to interact with lots of cool people and got to get many really cool pins from all over the place. I really recommend that people join Odyssey. It is a super fun and creative brain workout and can help you with things like teamwork, thinking creatively, and working with your hands.”

Cora Miller has been in Odyssey of the Mind since she was in kindergarten.

“It started when my brother had joined Odyssey of the Mind, and he came home talking about a cool project that he and his team did. Being able to compete against teams from all around the world is an awesome experience.”

“I have been in Odyssey of the Mind for five years, and I joined to build and create with my friends,” says Bryn Johnson. “I really love the pin trading in Odyssey, but my favorite thing is meeting teams from across the world and seeing other performances.”

Devon Yates joined Odyssey of the Mind in second grade and has been a part of it for six years.

“I joined because I had spent years watching my siblings compete and could not wait for the day I could take part, too. In Iowa, I am most excited to meet all the new people and make connections with everyone. I am so thankful for all the community support we have had to help us get ready for this trip; We are so excited to represent Windham at Worlds.”

The community has truly been a big support in assisting this team. However, they still need some help.

"To interact on a World stage with teams from all over the world is truly amazing," says Miller.

But it is also expensive. 

There have been ongoing fundraisers throughout the year to help with different Odyssey of the Mind finances, and there are more coming up. The Odyssey of the Mind team would be grateful to receive donations, gift cards, mileage points for hotel or car rentals, items for our trip, future fundraising events, or raffles, or to match funds raised at one of their upcoming events.

To donate to help the team, contact Rebecca Miller at 207-892-1840 x2460 or send an email to [email protected]. <

Penney’s positive mindset inspires WHS Class of 2022 students

Having overcome more than a few obstacles during her time
at Windham High School, Hailey Penney is a positive
inspiration for her classmates and will graduate with other
members of the Class of 2022 on Sunday, June 12.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

By Ed Pierce

If there is one common theme that connects members of the Windham High School Class of 2022, it’s positivity and Hailey Penney has more than enough positive wishes for the entire graduating class.

Like many other students in the graduating class, Penney has had to overcome a few obstacles in high school but will be on hand at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Sunday to receive her diploma. Her calm and congenial attitude has inspired both students and staff at the school who’ve overcome two years of the pandemic and associated restrictions because of the virus.  

“The teachers and school administrators have been there by my side through all my hardships and have seen my ability to focus on school and improving myself by taking big steps to better my own life,” Penney said. “A few of my closest friends said that others may not know about my strong will and perseverance when it comes to academics, work and personal challenges.”

WHS Assistant Principal Vanessa Michaud says that Penney is a standout in her graduating class because of her care for others and cheerful attitude.

“Hailey has a maturity and has had some life experiences that have given her a wisdom well beyond her years.  She solely has had the drive and initiative to become independent and prepare for her next steps in her journey after high school,” Michaud said. “Hailey also challenged herself this year with a very full plate to achieve her goals taking early college courses, her courses at WHS, as well as working. “

She said Penney is one of the kindest, caring, hardworking, strong, and independent students she has had the pleasure of getting to know and she’s honest to the core. 

“When Hailey has a free moment, she can be seen around WHS checking in on staff and truly engaging in deep meaningful conversations about how they are doing and how things are going for her.  She has an ability to make someone feel like they have known her for years in a matter of seconds,” Michaud said. “Her smile and genuine personality warm the heart.  Hailey is a good friend and checks in with her peers and is always there to support and encourage them.  Hailey is not afraid to try new things, push herself outside of her comfort zone, and face new challenges.”

Michaud said Penney’s resilience and desire to learn has helped her become a promising student.

“In the beginning of her high school career, Hailey often struggled in some her core academic classes.  She would often seek out a quiet place to try to complete her assignments and struggled with some of the core academic classes,” she said. “Her Junior year, Hailey joined our APEX program and with the guidance of the teacher, Adrianne Shetenhelm, Hailey thrived in the more independent learning environment and began to excel. She started to realize her potential as a learner and as she thrived began to look for more challenging courses therefore seeking out the early college courses.  Hailey is a student who at times in her high school career seemed to have all the odds against her and she found a way to rise above and truly shine, always with that smile on her face.”

WHS Assistant Principal Phil Rossetti agrees with that assessment.

“Hailey is a student that has forged her own path. She has advocated for herself and sought every chance to improve and truly used her education as an opportunity to advance herself,” Rossetti said. “She is someone who is wise beyond her years and a joy to work with. She makes everyone around her feel better and welcomed. I/we will miss her smile and infectious positivity.”

Penney said during her time at WHS, she developed a strong bond with social worker Caj Macdonald.

“She has helped me through so many things that I thought I would never be able to make it out of and I’m very grateful for that,” Penney said.

Her favorite class in high school was any of Joe McLaughlin’s art classes but says they were also the most challenging classes for her too.

“I thrived in the environment, and he taught me patience and drive,” she said. “They may have been my favorite but there were many times of frustration when my painting just didn’t look how I imagined. The challenge is what I loved most about art.”

She’s dealt with personal issues in her family while in high school that would have severely impacted other students but kept a positive mindset and says it made her more resilient.

“I knew that getting my diploma was important,” Penney said.

Besides focusing on academics, Penney says she enjoys spending time with my friends, dirt biking, hiking, and many other outdoor activities in her free time. 

Her immediate plan after graduation is to start a new job.

“I just got a conditional offer at the prison in Windham to be a corrections officer,” she said. “I will be starting there after I receive my diploma and go through other steps.” 

Penney says that she’ll cherish and remember fondly the past few months of her senior year.

“The most memorable part of high school for me would be these last moments with prom, marching practice, senior activities and saying goodbye to everyone,” she said. “It’s true when they say you won’t know you miss it until it’s gone. However, I’m excited to take the next step in life.” <