BATH

A team from Morse High School — comprised of mostly freshmen — has qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals.

The world competition will take place at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, from May 19-24. The Morse team qualified after competing as one of the 29 teams across the state that took part in the state tournament on March 28 in Sanford.

They were challenged to design, build and demonstrate various devices that complete specific tasks, not limited to ringing a bell, changing the wording on something, sounding an alarm, moving an object while performing a themebased 8- minute performance. There needed to be a mysterious engineer character but then there was the twist. All the devices needed to be powered by rubber bands.

Team members include Alex Gates, Keel Thibodeau, Nick Pooler, Bryce Condon, and Hannah Gates; they are coached by Billy Gates and co-coached by Kimberly Gates.

The team and their families, as well as other RSU 1 Odyssey teams and their families, will be undertaking various fundraising events in an effort to raise the necessary funds to attend. Their goal, in order to pay for transportation, housing and meals, is approximately $7,000.

Elise Copeland and Judi Mansfield, who have coordinated Odyssey teams in RSU 1 for many years, are confident the team will positively represent Morse, RSU1 and Maine at World Finals. It’s an opportunity for them to meet participants from across the country and around the world. It is anticipated that 5,500 students will be participating.

For those interested in helping the team meet their goal, visit their GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/pllbx0, or send a check made made out to ‘Bath Odyssey of the Mind’ to 36 Hinckley St., Bath, Maine 04530.

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