Our Story

Al Fatih Academy (AFA) parents are proud to announce that our Division 2 Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team will advance to the World Finals at the end of May 2014. While the team started participating in OM last year, this is the first time an AFA team has qualified for World Finals in its history.

Our team came in 1st place at the Regional tournament on March 8, 2014 with a spectacular answer to the problem "Seeing is Believing" and a strong standing in the Spontaneous problem. The team advanced to the Statewide competition in Rocky Mount, Virginia on April 26 earning the distinction of 2nd place in their division-wide problem. Their outstanding performance has earned them a place at the World Finals in Ames, Iowa in just 3 weeks!

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The Competition

Over 800 teams from around the world (including 25 countries) will compete in the 35th Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. The competition emphasizes creativity and teamwork and has grown into the largest international creative problem-solving competition worldwide.  For more information, click here: http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf2014/

Your Contribution

Our AFA Odyssey of the Mind team needs the help of the general public to travel to Ames, Iowa at the end of the month. Registration fees alone cost $2400 for the team. Additionally, each student needs funding for his or her transportation, accommodations and food for this 3 day international event.  

The Team

With only a few months of team planning and many inclement weather days to prepare for the Odyssey of the Mind tournament, we are very pleased with this team's strong success. Congratulations to all of the team members: Noor, Aisha, Ibrahim, Kaamila, Amani, and Mustafa! Congratulations to their coaches: Tasneem, Tania, and Nosheen!

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Although the team did not return with a trophy, they did bring back many memories of this world tournament experience.  From the Opening Ceremonies with loud music and strobe lights, to the international parade where Noor and Aisha walked with the Virginia delegation, to the Closing Ceremonies with more music, animated videos, and great demonstrations of teammanship---the event will be cherished by team members and parents for many days to come! They performed their long term problem with humor, style, and creativity. And their spontaneous problem ended with applause, cheers, and a spray of silly string from their supporters! Ask them to show you their pins that they traded from around the world!

Our team thanks all of the parents, students, staff members and community that contributed to their team expenses and made dua'a for their success. Congratulations, AFA OM team! You represented our school quite well! 

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AFA Team Member arrives at Opening Ceremony in Ames, Iowa!