OMER's Award Winner!

Samson Schaefer

Honeoye Falls - Lima Manor School, NY

Primary Problem - Tri-Cycle Transport

Losing five of your team members so that you are down to a one-man band is hard for any team. But how about if you are only 7 years old and this is your first World Finals?

This young OMer showed tremendous poise and talent when performing in front of a packed house as a one man show. He wowed the audience with his courage, humor, problem-solving, and adaptability.

There was not a dry eye in the house as he performed every character in the skit. He was brave and did such a good job!

He embodies the OM spirit and we can see this is just the beginning of a long and creative Odyssey.

Apply for the Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) is pleased to announce two new scholarships for students planning to attend institutions of higher learning next year, either continuing or new students. The Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey offers two $555.00 scholarships to Odyssey of the Mind participants (current or prior). One scholarship will be awarded to an Omer who has competed in Problem 5, and one scholarship will be awarded to an Omer who plans to pursue a degree in the field of education.

Applications are now open and the deadline to submit an application has been extended from April 15th to April 30th. Details are available on the COU Scholarships & Grants page, then scroll down to The Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey.

Pin and Quilt Sweepstakes

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) is pleased to announce the return of their online sweepstakes for one of three Pin Sets or one of two World Finals T-Shirt fleece blankets! So, whether you are participating at the in person World Finals, virtual World Finals or simply love collecting OM Pins or T-Shirts, they can still give away these awesome prizes in an online sweepstakes!

The Pin Sets: COU has collected official state and country pins from associations all over the United States and around the globe to create three sets of World Finals pins. Three lucky winners will be randomly drawn from all sweepstakes entries to be the recipients of these collector's items!

The Fleece Blankets: COU has also collected official state and country t-shirts from associations all over the United States and around the globe to create World Finals T-Shirt Fleece Blankets. Two lucky winners will be randomly drawn from the sweepstakes entries to be the recipients of these collector's items!

Where Does the Money Go? Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) supports teams around the world with scholarships for individual OMers, grants that help member associations around the world bring the Odyssey of the Mind program to more students. Your donation goes toward supporting these initiatives as we celebrate the bright young participants in Odyssey of the Mind!

Find Out More