Southeast students claim Odyssey crown

A group of East County high school students were crowned world champions during an Odyssey of the Mind competition in Ames, Iowa, May 27-30.

The students — Laith Charles, Philip DiMaria, Luca Erozer, Ben Robinson, Bryan Robinson and Kate Schaufelberger — placed first in the Division III Column Structure competition. Fellow student Caroline Burkholder, who did not travel to Iowa, helped earn her team a spot in world finals by competing with the team during state competition.

The Column Structure competition involves designing and building balsa wood columns that will support as much weight as possible. Teams also must perform a skit created around the structure and participate in spontaneous problem solving.

The students are all in the International Baccalaureate program at Southeast High School.