Why Not Us

This Piece, Why Not Us, was my first writing assignment in sixth grade. I worked hard on this piece, and was so proud of the end product. I really hope you enjoy reading it! 

- Why Not Us - Omer Adventure -

By Noah Solovey

Part 1

It Meant Michigan

The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply.

                     -Denis Waitley

I immediately knew Odyssey of The Mind was for me the second the flyer was handed out. But what I didn’t know was how this would be an experience I would never forget. Odyssey of The Mind (OM) was right up my alley, and I was in for any kind of challenge. It had it all, creativity, collaboration, and competition. I knew this meant commitment, but I wanted to go to Michigan for the World Finals, and I would do anything to do so.

“Are you crazy?” That was my dad’s instant reaction after reading the flier. 

“Have you ever seen something better than this?” I couldn’t believe my dad didn’t find this interesting. 

“These rules are ridiculous. How are you supposed to make a maneuverable pirate ship that cannot be pushed or pulled by the force of anything? Oh, not to forget about the fact that you aren’t allowed to use batteries or electronic devices and stay under a $145 budget.” My dad was right about this. The person who wrote these rules must be crazy. Though on the other hand, I was up for it. Ideas were already flowing in my brain about ways to make this skit. The hardest part was the expectations and rules. Certain boundaries looked impossible. Days passed, and my dad finally agreed to let me do OM. Little did I know, that agreement meant more than fun. It meant Michigan.

“Noah, your team has been sent.” I immediately ran over to my dad with curiosity. Once I saw the members, I was not upset at all. All the members I knew in some way and were all very kind. The only one I was skeptical about was Bryan. Bryan was in AP with me, but he was by far my least favorite member of the team. He was annoying, thought his ideas were the best, and too complex for himself. He would be the weak link on the team. The first meeting was on Friday, and I couldn’t wait any longer.

The second my dad pulled into the driveway, I knew I was in for an adventure. In the garage, there was a sparkly black Porsche pulling out of the driveway with its booming engine. The house looked like it was from a movie. It was in a fancy neighborhood, with fancy houses. When I walked in, I saw a four-story house, fancy furniture, and a view my real estate agent dad fell in love with. “Hi, I’m Noah, nice to meet you.” I wanted to make an appropriate first impression on the coach like anyone would. 

“Nice to meet you too, I’m Wyatt’s Dad, Coach Steve. I’m excited for this year! Let’s win this! The team is outside, you can go meet them!” Coach Steve was so nice. He seemed like a helpful and creative guy. I ran outside and almost tripped on the beautiful stoned balcony. The girls were doing somersaults and Wyatt was being overwhelmed by Bryan talking in his ears. For the rest of the “meeting,” we chatted and had fun. It seemed like a great group of kids to work with, except for Bryan.

Days passed until the next meeting. There, we decided on characters and read the rulebook. It took 45 seconds to decide on the characters! I was the parrot and I loved that role. When doing an animal personality quiz in school, I got a parrot. I would be the narrator, the partner, and every other needed part of the skit. I would have a lot of lines too, which I did not have any problem with. Wyatt was the sea monster, Jenna was the pirate captain, Bryan and Samantha were pirates, Sally was the queen, and Lori was the nice mermaid.

Meetings passed, and we decided how the skit would go, how to build the props, and we practiced many spontaneous problems. Spontaneous problems were the second category we would be judged on in the state competition. Some were verbal, and some were hands-on. I was loving the process, and it was for me. Bryan had some loco ideas and advanced stuff that made him seem like a total freak. The next day at school when I was chatting with Wyatt, he told me some breaking news. I really thought he was lying. Bryan had departed the team. How could this be true?

Wow. I did not know what to think. He wasn’t a crucial role, but we did need him in some ways. I was somewhat glad, while confused about everything occurring at the moment. It was rude of him to leave the team in the middle of the process. He wasn’t committed. I mostly thought of this as a positive.

Meetings continued to happen, and we had begun building. The team honestly worked so well together. In the building process, we had a 5-hour meeting! Progress grew every second. Finally, the building for states was complete.

First, we had the queen’s castle. It was a large, old-fashioned, gray cardboard building, about the size of a half bathroom. Second of all, we had a ship. The ship was the hardest to build because we had to line up a small bike with cardboard sides. It was harder to make the ship than anything, but I did a lot to contribute to it. Then we had a rock, for the sea monster to emerge out of. After that, we had a treasure island that I made, for the treasure to be on. We also had some small features like waves and painted details. We didn’t have too many props, but we barely spent the budget at all. Everyone had certain things they had to make, and Jenna was making the required song that I did not want to sing in. The effort we had put in was countless, and hopefully we would eventually be rewarded for it. One thing I noticed above all is that everything would have been different if Bryan didn’t leave the team.

We started working on the skit as soon as possible. We knew that we had to use every precious second to get ready for finals. By the end of the skit-making, I was right about having the most lines. I practiced every second of the day and perfected my parrot voice. I had joke lines and serious lines, but I loved the joke lines. We continued to meet and practice but then we had news. We would have to present our skit at school. In front of everyone. I would be in my little goofy, makeshift parrot costume. I was somewhat excited but worried at the same time. Days passed, and soon it was the day. The team was ready to show how the 6 (Used to be 7) Super Sailors rule.

“I am so worried,” I expressed with my heart pounding like a racehorse. There was a group next to us, who had a different problem. They called themselves “The School Team,” which was just plain rude to my team. I saw their materials and I immediately thought to myself, they did not make that. It was a large open mouth with pure detail only an adult can do. Not to forget about the motors that would cut fingers off the kids on the team. The parents cheated and we did it for real, I thought to myself. Soon the classes entered the auditorium, and my best friend Brayden cracked up when he saw my goofy costume. I ignored it. We went first and crushed it. Every line was announced with perfection. We were ready for states. Then “The School Team” went. Not a single line they spoke, nor anything they made could have non-parental help. Cheating wasn’t right, and it was going to come back and bite them at the correct time. We were ready though.

“VROOM” Wyatt’s Dad’s Porsche was rumbling on the road, right in front of my dad’s Volvo. We were heading to the state competition. I was excited and wanted to win, but my team on the other hand had no desire at all to win. Soon enough we were there, in the lobby ready to perform. The props were all shipped in a UHaul and hopefully not broken. Time passed slowly and we waited for our big moment. Soon it came. “Are you ready?” The judges asked. 

Everyone except me yells, “We are ready!” 

Then it’s my turn. “We are ready, we are ready!”

We got materials from behind the tape and brought it on stage, every second counted so we had to do it fast. After I brought the waves I stepped up and did my introduction. My heart was racing while I expressed the lines with character. After that, the queen waved bye to the sailors, and they took off on the ship. The ship was moving and soon enough the Sea Monster popped out and yelled, “If you want to get the treasure you are going to need to get through me!” 

I knew my lines like the back of my hand. I sprinted up to the front and hollered, “You might want to close your eyes! This battle might be rated ARR!” Everyone balled out in laughter. We were crushing it. The skit continued until they reached the treasure box, they hooked the treasure and the mermaid joined the sailors. Lori, The Mermaid was not the strongest actor on the team, but she was strong at her role. The pirates sang a song and soon enough the skit was over. I had confidence in winning, but my team was there for fun. 

“How did you make your costume?” A judge asked me.

 “I cut the feathers from construction paper. Also, thank you so much for this opportunity, it’s so much fun.” I wanted to be kind to the judges so that they would not be against my team and I also want the extra points. 

“Where are your parents? I would like to go see them.” Oh No! I was worried, was being kind considered cheating? “Your son was so kind, he thanked me for this opportunity!” I did it. At least being nice would be worth 1 extra point.

We did it. Now it was time for spontaneous. We were called to a room and soon enough an old man came and got us. For OM Reasons, I am not allowed to talk about the spontaneous problem and would get in trouble if I did so, so I will not talk about the spontaneous but I can say I think we did great.

After those big events, we went home. We had lunch at a place and soon enough found ourselves back in Lake Forest High School for the awards ceremony. Blabber about the guy who made OM went on for 30 minutes and then came the awards. Luckily, first was 3rd Place in Division 1 Problem One, which is what my group did. I knew we weren’t going to win so I did not raise my expectations at all. “3rd Place is Lewes Elementary, Please come up to claim your medal and trophy.” Was I hallucinating? Did they just name my team? Am I headed to Michigan? My group stood up and lined up to get medal-ed. The trophy was giant. This win was giant too. Michigan it is. Michigan it is. I ran over to my parents in excitement, took a picture with the trophy, and headed home ready to meet for a party. Can you guess who didn’t get to Worlds? “The School Team.” I was just plain excited. Was this real? Well if it was real, Michigan it is. Well if it was real, this whole process meant Michigan. It meant Michigan.

Life is not what you expect: it is made up of the most unexpected twists and turns.

                                                        -Ilaiyaraaja

Part 2

Why Not Us

The rest of the team took Michigan as “a chance for a family vacation” It was a normal Tuesday afternoon, and I was filling out a form for pin trading. I decided to get a decent amount, but I thought I needed more. 4 Meetings passed and very little was done to get ready for the tough world competitions. We added what we missed in States, and a little more juzz. The team knew we had to step our game up for various reasons. For one, in most states, 3rd place doesn’t go through, but in Delaware for this year they did. For two, we were back-to-back with 4th place, so we obviously needed to try harder. More and more meetings passed, and no effort was given. Soon enough, it was the day before boarding the plane. 

The plane ride was unbelievably short. Before I knew it, we were in the boring state called Michigan. It was my dad and I. We hopped onto the bus that led us to the car rental place. Lucky enough, my dad got us a cool white jeep. My ears were still constantly popping like popcorn in a microwave. In no time, we were at the University of Michigan, ready to have an adventure. “You are in acres.” The weird lady with pins all over her hat told us. I had to head to the Delaware picture, while my dad went to check in. The first thing I saw at the picture meeting spot was a blue hoodie that read in big bulky letters: It’s Time To Get Messi! I was joking around with Wyatt talking about how I would go up to him and tell him how Ronaldo is better. Turns out, I did. 

“Ronaldo is better!” I told him. 

“Oh nah, it’s Messi all day!” The kid argued. He looked nice, and probably lived nearby. 

“I’m Noah, nice to meet you. What’s your name?” I asked. 

“Vinny, I’m in Milton.” He responded. 

“I go to Lewes Elementary, that’s really cool! What dorm are you in?”

 “Acres, what about you?” 

“I am in Acres too, my dad is checking in right now and the rest of my team sleeps in a hotel, so you’ll probably see me around in the dorm.” 

“Okay! Got to go now.”

 “See you later!” I responded. At least I now know someone here.

I woke up to two kids running around in the hall, after a long night of little sleep. I opened the door and saw Vinny, running around with some nerdy kid. “What’s up?” I asked not to express my madness for being woken up at 6:00.

Vinny responded with, “I got to go, I’m going to pin trade. See ya!” I closed the door, more tired than anyone. An hour passed, and I went to go get some breakfast. Donuts and a smoothie; it tasted so nice. After that I went to pin trade, which was the famous OM thing. I did some successful trades and lucked out by getting a moveable computer pin. I was having fun. I was enjoying Michigan, and ready for the opening ceremony tonight.

It was at that moment when I took time to take in what was happening at the moment. I was sitting, eating dinner in a college dorm. It was a day full of pin trading and fun. How did I end up here? I was proud of this accomplishment, getting this far meant so much to me. I soon came to realize, this was not about winning. It was about the experience I was having. An experience I would never, ever forget.

Earlier in the week, I was watching live streams from past opening and closing ceremonies, so I knew what to expect. I was so excited. Time passed and soon I found myself getting a pepsi at a stand in the Michigan Vikings stadium. We made it to our seats quickly, and the introduction started booming out of the speakers. There was a man who was known as the president of OM and he kept blabbering about how this will be a great final. There was a DJ going crazy and playing videos of OM over and over again. There was a parade where all the International Countries and US States walked through the stadium. Everyone here was considered an OMer, so that would make me one. I was ready to have an OMer adventure then. In no time, the ceremony was over and I was brushing my teeth in the dirty dorm. 

One thing I particularly noticed about everyone here was that they were weird. Everyone had a little bit of awkwardness in them to love pin trading and throwing bean bags all over the place at fake cows to win stamps. It was the rest of my team that didn’t fit in. Who would let an amazing experience like OM, and sleeping in a college dorum slip away? My team seemed to get nothing out of staying in the hotel. Tonight, I will be going to have a rehearsal with them at the hotel. Before that, I went to trade pins. I was excited, but wanted to get the famous Medusa pin. It was the best and most rare pin in the trading. The main conflict that interfered with me getting the pin was no one wanted to trade it. Luckily, I found this kid from Mexico that was willing to trade it for my candyland pin. I did the trade successfully and walked out of the tent with a sparkly blue Medusa! 

“Ay, I don’t not like that pin, but you better trade me some better moolah for that.” The spoiled hotel brat from Texas yelled in my ear, that was already hurting from the opening ceremony. This hotel was fancy, and probably reached my team's expectations. After pin trading with the spoiled brats, we went upstairs to start rehearsing. The rehearsal went well, but it would not match the polish people that had chainsaws to control their ship. We were ready, but we knew we wouldn’t win.

My heart was like a horse, racing at full speed. I wanted to get over with this performance. I was worried, but ready. Soon enough I heard the judges ask, “Are you ready?” 

Everyone except me yells, “We are ready!” 

Then it’s my turn. “We are ready, We are ready!” I dragged the waves over fast, then I ran to the front of the stage with excitement. I begin my lines. Everything is going perfect until there is this awkward moment of silence when the pirates are hooking the treasure. Have you ever stated something without thinking about it? Well this was me. “Hooked!” I yell. It was great improv. The song was sung beautifully, and the mission was complete. We did it. I was having the best time of my life.

“How did you come up with “Hooked? It was phenomenal improv!” My dad told me in excitement. I shrugged. I have never seen my dad so proud. My heart was still pounding like never before. Soon enough, I was back at my dorum, hanging out. Then I heard a knock on my door. I opened it only to find my new friend, Vinny. 

Vinny then stated, “Want to play Newcombe?” He asked. I agreed yes and we raced down to the field and started playing. It was girls versus boys and we crushed the boys. I was feeling joyful, and went to bed excited for the morning. The morning everything would go wrong.

To be honest, no one knew what was coming. Our team had practiced many spontaneous, but there were certain ones we seemed to struggle with. I wanted to do well at worlds, and I was a competitive person. The final score was up to the spontaneous problem. I went to the dorm bathroom, brushed my teeth, and walked down for breakfast. I ate the usual glazed donuts and walked down the hall. I stopped when I noticed a teenager pin trading in the study hall. I walked up to him and saw loads of pins. How long have you been doing this? Is this a billion pins? Wow. I wondered. I was still worried about the spontaneous problem that would be in 30 minutes. I offered him my Poland pin for the OM Michigan 2023 regular pin, and walked away feeling accomplished. Little did I know, I was scammed. 

The second I walked into the room I noticed a ridiculous amount of decoration. Model planes hanging from the sky, and art all over the walls. My team played a few rounds of hangman on the chalkboard, and then an old man interrupted the fun. “Team from Lewes Elementary, Problem 1 Division 1, Follow me.” We dropped the chalk on the ground and followed the man. Thump, Thump! The sound of Lori’s mermaid shoes nailed the stairs. Soon enough, we walked into the room where everything would go wrong. The lady blabbered about the rules for a while, and then stated,

“Team from Lewes Elementary, you may begin.” Doing well at worlds only lasted so long.

We walked out crying, trying to look joyous for the billions of people blowing Kazoos in our ears constantly. I grabbed a dum dum, and tuned everyone out. The team took a walk to the Michigan stadium, for a small meeting. Once we got there, we were given a speech by the coach. “I know none of you are in a good mood, and we're underdogs here, but let me tell you about something. Right now, the Celtics and Miami Heat are in the championship. Celtics are underdogs, and they have one ⅖ games. If they win the third, they win it all. Their famous quote is, “Why not us?” and I want to bring that to this team. Why not us.” Inside I was laughing so hard. Effort. That’s why. Then the coach started chanting “Why not us” over and over again, trying to enhance the mood. We read through the sticky note compliments and high fived each other. Really, coach? Why not us. 

Me and Lori were the only ones left in Michigan. Everyone else left early after sleeping in a house on Lake Michigan. A real sense of confidence there. Well, I was sitting, with low expectations, knowing I wasn’t going to win Worlds. The guy blabbered on and on about OM, but I noticed something. I was not here because I wanted to win, I was here because I wanted to have an experience. And I did so. This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Here I was, sitting in the bleachers, wondering about all the other years I would do this. It turns out it’s not about winning, or the final destination. It’s how you get there and the adventure you get along with it.

It’s not about the destination, it’s how you get there.

- Fly Emirates Airways

       Part 3

Epilogue

The second I made the form I knew this was for everyone. But what I didn’t know was how I would give people the experience, I got myself. It was a year after going to worlds, and I sure had a great pin collection. I wanted to start OM at my new middle school. In weeks we had 25 responses to do OM. 25 people who wanted an experience, and were going to get one. I met others from Delaware that also did OM, and loved it. If you were wondering about Vinny, here's an update. Vinny’s mom taught AP at Milton Elementary and we emailed her that way. It turns out he emailed me before I knew it. We emailed back and forth for two months until he randomly ghosted me and I have never heard back from him again. I wonder what happened. Also, 44th place out of 46. A team from Delaware ended up in 1st place though. At least 44th place was not last, and 44th place was ahead of two teams from South Korea, and they were known to be talented. If you ever get the chance to do OM, I have two words for you: do it. OM gave me an unforgettable experience that all students should have. Here’s another update: It’s 11/3/23 and I got OM started in middle school. I have an amazing team and we're going to be going to the world finals again this year! (I hope.) Before I end this epilogue, I want to acknowledge a few people. First of all, my OM team gave me the experience I had in the narrative. Secondly, Laurie Halse Anderson for giving me the idea of starting with quotes. Finally, all the authors and speakers that had phenomenal quotes I used in this narrative. Now, I’m here right now, typing this in writing class, and reliving the OMer adventure I had. 

The End

Quotes

“People look at failure as if it’s a bad thing, but there is always a bigger picture.”

-Noah Solovey

Remarking on His OM Experience

“There is a difference between experience and adventure: you survive an adventure and have an experience. An experience can be an adventure but adventures are unique. I know they might seem like the same thing, but today, boys, we had an adventure.”

The President of LYC Sailing Camp

After A Windy, Windy Day.

“I got to experience an adventure. Now that's uncommon.”

-Noah Solovey

After A Year Of OM