Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind Teams Named World Finalists

[Contributed Story]

By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department

Among the 77 teams representing Divisions I, II, and III at the Maine Odyssey of the Mind (OM) State Finals Tournament on April 4, 2026, two of the four Biddeford teams placed in their divisions. Both the Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) Performance Team and the Biddeford Middle School (BMS) Technical Team were named World Finalists after placing second at the State Tournament and will move on to compete in the World Finals in Iowa this May.

**TECHNICAL TEAM |** (L-R) Biddeford Middle School’s Technical Team named World Finalists after placing second at the Maine State Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament. Left to right: (Front row) Kalina Simard, Ripley Haskell-Murray, and Amelia Ireland; (Back row) Payton Perreault, Harper Luke, and Madeena Deschambault. (*Contributed Photo*)

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This marks the 15th time a Biddeford OM team has placed among the top three in the State and the 13th time they have qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, a testament to the district’s long-standing commitment to creativity, innovation, and student-led learning. Over the years, Biddeford’s teams have consistently demonstrated their ability to tackle complex problems with originality and teamwork, earning them national recognition and repeated invitations to the global stage.

“I am so excited to be taking students who have never been to World Finals before,” said Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind District Coordinator Victoria Salo. “These teams worked so hard this year with the goal of making it to the World Finals, and they did it! They met several days a week, some weekends, and even vacation days to be ready for the state tournament. Their creativity, dedication and perseverance during setbacks truly brought out the Tiger Pride in these teams.”

“I am so excited to be taking students
who have never been to World Finals before,”.

— Biddeford’s Odyssey of the Mind District Coordinator Victoria Salo.

Odyssey of the Mind is a creative, problem-solving, extra-curricular program involving students from kindergarten through college. Teams of up to seven students work together at length, with limited guidance from a coach, to solve a predefined long-term problem and present their solution to the problem at a competition. From students in special education to the top academic performers, from athletes to drama students, or those interested in math and engineering, the OM Teams are an eclectic mix of various backgrounds and interests.

**PERFORMANCE TEAM** | Biddeford Intermediate School’s Performance Team named World Finalists after placing second at the Maine State Odyssey of the Mind State Tournament. Left to right: (Front row) Hayden Norris, Olivia Foster, and Pacey Eagle; (Back Row) Gabriella Norris, Lillianna Forrest, and Xander Haskell-Murray. *(Contributed photo*)

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Biddeford’s OM program has grown significantly, with team participation increasing by 75 percent over the past eight years. This year, six teams consisting of 33 students competed across Primary and Divisions I, II, and III levels: two teams at Biddeford Primary School (BPS), two teams at Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS), and two teams at Biddeford Middle School (BMS). In addition to the World Finalist teams, the BIS Classics Team placed fifth and the BMS Classics Team placed seventh in their respective divisions. The two BPS teams are not eligible to place.

Congratulations to the following students who won medals during the State Tournament: BIS Performance Team members Pacey Eagle, Lillianna Forrest, Olivia Foster, Xander Haskell-Murray, Gabriella Norris, and Hayden Norris (coached by Teila Norris and Nikki Eagle) and BMS Technical Team members Madeena Deschambault, Ripley Haskell-Murray, Amelia Ireland, Harper Luke, Payton Perreault, and Kalina Simard (coached by Suzanne Tighe).

Odyssey of the Mind hosts fundraisers throughout the year to support students attending World Finals. Fundraisers to date have included Tag Days, cookie sales, bottle drives, and calendar fundraisers. To be kept informed of upcoming fundraisers, please follow the Biddeford Odyssey of the Mind Facebook Page.

To make a contribution to the OM program directly, checks can be made payable to Biddeford High School with Odyssey of the Mind noted in the Memo Field and mailed to 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, Maine, 04005.

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