Keystone Oaks School District

Keystone Oaks’ Odyssey of the Mind program can now add “World Champions” to its growing list of accomplishments over the past decade!

This year, the team Precisely Cut Potatoes—which included middle school students Iris Brownlee, Frankie Custer, Reagan Dobson, Rainer Loyd, Grace Luft, Afton Rogers, and Alex Smith—brought home first place in their age division at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, held in May at Michigan State University.

Competing against more than 50 teams from around the world, they were tasked with producing an “out of this world” performance featuring a shooting star and lighting effects.

They were one of four Keystone Oaks teams to compete in the World Finals: 

• Wise Elves brought home 3rd place. They were challenged to build a ride-on vehicle powered by a creative propulsion system. Team members: Finley Benkovich, Reese Dobson, Rowan Dobson, Lena Donahue, Finley Patterson, Mia Rairigh, and Rilynn Walker.
• KO Klassics finished 9th in their age group. Their problem required them to take a classic story and create a skit about a dinner party inspired by the book. Team members: Bella Bischof, Anna Bittner, Kaybre Donahue, Sydney Maegle, William McGee, Marion Rent, and Michela Robbins.
• Spaghetti O’s finished 14th in their division. They were also tasked with creating a dinner party-themed skit based on a classic story. Team members: Ella Carletti, Julia Cerminara, Roslyn Latshaw, Savana Sasnow, Nora Smith, and Sofia Taub.

Check out these two great stories about the Odyssey of the Mind program at Keystone Oaks: 

• Keystone Oaks Middle School takes first place in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Meeting the Keystone Oaks students competing in the World Final of Odyssey of the Mind (Pittsburgh Today Live)