by Emily Spalten (Posted on April 23, 2026 @ 11:23 a.m.)

After months of hard work, an Odyssey of the Mind team from the Alamo Heights Junior School recently won regionals. I interviewed Charlotte Porter to learn more about how they prepared and what helped them succeed, and I got some great information.

The team prepared for about six months in total. Charlotte said, “For the first one, four months, but all in all, we worked on it for six months.” During that time, they practiced both their long-term problem and their short-term problem.

For the long-term problem, they made a skit with props, costumes, and a script. Charlotte said, “We prepared by making props and costumes and writing a script that had all of the requirements.” The short-term problem was different because they had to think on the spot. “You just have to keep an open mind and work with your team.” Charlotte said one of the hardest parts was making everything come together. “The hardest part is figuring out how to include all of the elements you need but still make it creative,” Charlotte said.

On the competition day, the team was nervous at first. “We were all really nervous,” she said, but once they got on stage, they relaxed and had fun. “Everyone was laughing.”

When the results were announced, everything paid off. “We all started screaming; we were crying too. We were so excited.”

Charlotte recommends Odyssey of the Mind to others. “If you enjoy creating random things and a chaotic environment.” Overall, their win shows that teamwork and creativity can lead to success.