Hidden Oaks Middle School is proud to announce the outstanding accomplishment of one of its Odyssey of the Mind teams, whose dedication, creativity, and perseverance have earned them a spot at the State Competition.
The Problem 5 Team – The Tall Tales of John Jivery captured first place at the regional level and will proudly represent Hidden Oaks Middle School as they advance to the state competition in Orlando, with the exciting possibility of qualifying for the World Championships.
The team is comprised of Emerson Beesley, Evie Walker, Eden Gardy, Preston Esposito, and Hayley Hicks, a remarkable group of students who demonstrated exceptional teamwork and creativity throughout the competition.
According to coach Mr. Carannante, the team’s success is especially meaningful given the challenges they faced along the way.
“I am so proud of this group of kids. They overcame a lot of adversity and had multiple students quit the team, resulting in having only five members to compete at regionals,” Coach Carannante shared. “They were able to put all of their differences aside and come together with elite displays of teamwork and cooperation.”
Their hard work paid off in an extraordinary way. The team earned a calculated score of 347.59 out of a possible 350 points, a score that impressed judges across multiple categories. In addition, their dedication to detail was evident in every aspect of their performance.
“These kids worked incredibly hard both at school and at home to ensure their costumes, sets, and props looked the best they possibly could,” Coach Carannante said. “Because of that effort, their performance received the highest style score of any school in our region, spanning from Port St. Lucie to Dade County.”
Now, the team is focused on refining their performance as they prepare to compete at the state level. Their goal is not only to represent Hidden Oaks Middle School with pride, but also to continue their journey toward the Odyssey of the Mind World Championships.
Hidden Oaks Middle School congratulates this talented group of students for their perseverance, creativity, and teamwork. Their achievement reflects the spirit of innovation and collaboration that Odyssey of the Mind fosters—and the dedication of students who are willing to rise to every challenge.
Go Sharks!