What a fantastic Sunday it was as we gathered to witness the culmination of hard work and dedication at Opti-MINDS! Six teams, representing years 3 to 5, took the stage at UQ, showcasing their talents in a variety of categories. The journey leading up to this day has been nothing short of inspiring - with lunchtime meetings, after-school practices, and even weekend sessions.

Teams had the opportunity to choose from four captivating categories: Science/Engineering, Language Literature, Social Science, and Media Communications. The level of commitment and creativity shown in each category was truly commendable.

A huge shoutout to Team 1 – Da-Raging Squirrels, who were honoured with the Spirit of Optiminds award in the Science/Engineering category. Congratulations to Lola, Oscar, Eli, Ryo, and Quinn for their outstanding achievement! Team 6 – The Cook Kids, was awarded honours (2nd place) in their Media Communication category. Congratulations to Luke, Misha, Ethan and Orlando. And, of course, a round of applause for all the participants, who gave it their all and truly embodied the spirit of OptiMINDS.

As we reflect on this wonderful event, let's celebrate the passion and dedication that each student brought to the table. Here's to more exciting journeys ahead and the growth of these young minds as they continue to shine brightly! We can’t wait for 2024.

Emma Kemph and Deb Joynson