Yesterday was the competition we have all been waiting for. By all, I am referring to myself, Robyn, and the 6 kids who signed up for this. For the first time in our nonconsecutive 6 year run as coaches of the Odyssey of the Mind, administrators came to watch. The kids were psyched that their principal would think they were important enough to come see them on a Saturday. Robyn and I were a little nervous, but pleased at the same time because in all honesty, unless you are in the trenches, no one really knows what the hell this club is all about.
When it was finally time to compete, we were ushered into the smallest room known to man. It could barely hold the 4 judges, 2 coaches, an assistant principal, principal, 6 students and 6 supportive family members. It was dead silent. You could slice the tension in the air with our nerves. I had sweaty palms and sweaty pits. Then, the kids were introduced. Their performance went off without a hitch. Robyn and I had tears in our eyes; we were that proud.
During the 2 hour break prior to the awards competition, Robyn and I rewarded ourselves for a job well done at Target. Nothing says "pat on the back" than new razors (me) and workout pants (her). When we returned to the competition site, we learned from one of students, lets call him J, and his parents that there was no microphone. Of course....With the tension building once again, we were awaiting the head honcho of Long Island Odyssey to announce our problem. Here is what happened next:
Division II, Problem 5, Food Court:
Third Place......NOT US
Division II, Problem 5, Food Court:
Second Place....MMMMM Matlin Middle School
For just one second, we thought we had it. J, his parents, Robyn and I literally were sure that MMMMMM sound was the first in the name Merrick Avenue. Now we were faced with nothing or first place. The high pitched squeals of delight from the girls on the Matlin team did not help either. Apparently they had just learned that they were going to Binghamton for the next level of competition. On the ride back to the awards ceremony, Robyn asked me if I wanted to go to Binghamton, then basically accused me of wanting to go. I suppose I did since it would have been a great accomplishment but coupled with the enormous pain in the butt-ness of organizing that extravaganza, it left me feeling torn.
Division II, Problem 5, Food Court:
First Place......WHO CARES?
J's face literally fell. I now understand exactly what that phrase means. The look in his eyes was worse than losing. After our hearts stopped beating out of chests in the now sudden hopes that first place belonged to us, Robyn and I, I think, felt as bad as he did. How do you explain to a kid that he kicked ass and winning doesn't matter, when he looked like he needed a scotch on the rocks, STAT? So did his dad.... His mom thanked us up and down, I think secretly relieved she didn't have to endure a long ass car ride 2 days before the first Passover Seder (they are in my tribe too). She also said that her son really felt connected to school because of Odyssey and that we did a great job. We? We facilitated (for the most part). If you knew this group, you would understand why Robyn and I got a bit teary and why we felt busted up last night. They were barely friends and had little in common. This particular group could have been used as a thesis study for someone wanting to delve deeply into the exploration of socialization amongst early teens. Yet, a hot mess created a finished product that made judges and parents laugh. And most importantly, the kids felt good.
That doesn't make the agony of defeat hurt any less, but seriously, we will be back next year, bigger and better, so you guys better watch it!!!
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