Because of the impact of COVID-19, the 2020 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals were held virtually from May 15 through May 30, and Hall County School District students performed and represented well in the annual competition.
Cherokee Bluff High, CW Davis Middle, The Academies of Discovery at South Hall, Flowery Branch High, Friendship Elementary, Spout Springs Elementary and World Language Academy Middle were among 847 teams from 14 countries who competed in this year’s World Finals tournament.
The following Hall County School District teams earned top 10 finishes at World Finals in the categories listed below:
Problem 2 Net Working:
World Language Academy: Silver Medalist (2nd Place) Middle School Division
Cherokee Bluff High School: Silver Medalist (2nd Place) High School Division
Problem 3 Classics: The Effective Detective:
Spout Springs Elementary School: 5th Place
Problem 4 Balsa Limbo:
C.W. Davis Middle School: Bronze Medalist (3rd Place)
Flowery Branch High School: Silver Medalist (2nd Place)
In addition to these World Finals top 10 finishes, Cherokee Bluff High School and World Language Academy Middle School were awarded the Ranatra Fusca Award, which is the highest Odyssey of the Mind award given to participants. The Ranatra Fusca Award is given to a team or an individual for demonstrating outstanding creativity. The award embodies all that the Odyssey of the Mind program represents and strives to instill in its participants. It is presented at all levels of competition from regional tournaments to the World Finals.
"These young people worked extremely hard and challenged themselves consistently to reach this high level of achievement," said Dr. Aaron Turpin, who serves as one of the Odyssey of the Mind coaches for Hall County. "Their composure under pressure and their limitless creativity is truly something to admire. Their parents, peers, schools and the Hall County community should be very proud.”
