On Saturday, April 5, 2008, a team of six individual members of Collin County Homeschoolers Sharing Adventures In Learning (SAIL) came together and showed that hard work, friendship, and dedication were ingredients for success at the state finals of the Odyssey of the Mind competition in Houston, Texas. This group of teens, all homeschooled youth between the ages of 14 and 17, took first place in the competition, receiving the top scores in the state for their division in all three scoring categories.

Odyssey of the Mind is the world's largest international creative problem-solving program. After working together for several months, teams present their solutions at a regional competition. Top performers at the regional tournament advance to the state tournament, and top performers at state advance to the world finals, where they meet and compete with hundreds of other teams from around the world. (For more information, log on to www.odysseyofthemind.com)

The SAIL team's solution, which included a humorous performance about eccentric superheroes that save the world from an evil lunar real estate agent, was entirely created by the teens. The script, costumes, set - everything, had to be conceptualized, designed, constructed and choreographed without any assistance from friends, parents, or coaches.

This was the team's second year competing in an Odyssey of the Mind tournament. Last year, the team was disappointed when a simple, but costly, mistake prevented them from completing their problem solution at the state tournament in the time allotted. They learned from their experience, discovered their strengths and weaknesses, and returned this year with new skills and a winning attitude!

Their diligence and determination has resulted in stellar performances at Regional and State Finals, and an invitation to the World Finals next month in Maryland on the campus of the University of Maryland. Of the 217 solutions presented at regional competitions in Texas, only 32 teams will be invited to the World Finals.

SAIL is a support group for families that homeschool their children in Collin and surrounding counties. In addition to providing social and educational opportunities, the organization makes it possible for area homeschooled children to participate in competitions normally reserved for those attending public and private schools.

While the SAIL group's educational support network is tremendous, they now they have a new problem to solve… how are they going to get there? At about $1,500 per team member and coach ($1,500 x 8), the costs are a bit daunting to a group with no outside funding and little experience in the art of fundraising. In less than two months, SAIL must raise funding to cover airfare, room and board, entry fees, performance materials transportation, and miscellaneous costs associated with this tremendous opportunity.

SAIL is recognized by the State of Texas as a non-profit organization but has not yet filed the paperwork for 501(c)(3) status, so any financial support is not eligible for a federal tax deduction. However, we hope that the inspirational story of this determined team's success, and a desire to encourage youth to develop creative problem-solving and teamwork skills, will inspire organizations and individuals to contribute. In return, SAIL can offer promotion in future press releases, its annual "yearbook" style publication, and on its public-domain web site.

To contribute funds or services to support the team or for more information, please contact Mary Arme at 214-684-6025 or Leaders@SAILHomeschoolers.org.

Your support will go to an amazing group of young minds that will help shape the future of society!

Click here for information on how contributions will be used.