February News

With news about how to support a new NYSOMA scholarship in honor of Jackie Otte, deadlines for this and other scholarships, last chance to submit team specific clarifications, opportunities to get involved in running the Odyssey program in New York, and information about regional tournaments, as well as a look forward to the 2026 State Finals tournament. Finally, we continue our regular feature, "Coaches' Corner", with information and advice for new and established coaches.

Jackie Otte NYSOMA Scholarship

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jackie Otte.

Jackie was Association Director for New York for many years, a NYSOMA Board Member and Chair, the World Finals Shadow coordinator, State Problem Captain for Primary, among many other activities for Odyssey of the Mind.

She was recognized in 2013 by being awarded the prestigious Odyssey Spirit Award for over 30 years of volunteerism.

A warm and caring individual, she was a leader, mentor and inspiration to legions of OMers. She will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to her husband, New York's Wayne Otte, IPC for Problem 1, and to his family.

To honor her life and service to New York Odyssey, NYSOMA is establishing a yearly scholarship in her name. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Donate

Applications for this year’s NYSOMA scholarships are due March 1^st.

Details, and the application form, can be found here.

Odyssey Alumni Awards are Open

The links are now live: https://www.odysseyalumni.org/awards

EMERGING ALUMNI AWARD

This award recognizes current high school sophomores and juniors who are competing or who have competed and are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Apply here.

ODYSSEY AMBASSADOR AWARD

This award recognizes alumni who have competed, are between the ages of 18-25, and who are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Activities such as judging, organizing tournaments, coaching teams, or coordinating activities with regional or state associations would qualify an applicant. Apply here.

Both applications close on March 15, though sometimes there is a grace period for the Ambassador application given its ties to World Finals. 

Want to get more involved?

Open Positions within NYSOMA

Assistant State Director

– supports the State Director in the running of the program throughout NYS.

Board Members

– actively participate in all aspects of running the program in New York

Registrar

– coordinates membership and team registrations for NYSOMA and State Finals.

Committee Members

– working with other volunteers on sales, pins, policies, digital communications, sponsorship or helping organize and run the State Tournament.

If you are interested in getting more involved in the New York Odyssey program contact Chris Lucas, Chair of the Nominating Committee at clucas@nysoma.org

Regional Tournaments have started !!

In sub-zero temperatures teams from Region 15 started off the regional tournaments in New York on February 7^th at Mount Morris High School. Despite the weather the teams were fantastic, with the creativity on display as hot as could be!

Next up is Region 12 on Feb 21^st, with lots more tournaments from late February into March.

Check out the tournament dates and locations here, as well as the scores from Region 15.

Have fun and good luck to all teams.  We can’t wait to see your solutions to this year’s problems!

As usual first place teams plus ties will advance to State Finals on March 21^st at the NYS Fairgrounds and Solvay High School. In some problems and divisions, some teams will be awarded lottery slots to also advance but that’s a secret as to who will receive these coveted slots as they will only be announced at the regional awards ceremony.

If you are interested in volunteering at a regional tournament or at State Finals or know somebody who is, contact your Regional Director or Lynn Lucas LLucas@nysoma.org

State Finals

This year’s State Finals will be at the NYS Fairgrounds on Saturday March 21^st. As with last year, we will be allowing prop drop in the buildings on Friday from 3-7pm, hopefully reducing traffic congestion and stress for teams and coaches on tournament day.

Information on this year’s State Finals can be found in the FAQ page, and closer to the date, on the State Finals pages.

Coaches, Expect the Unexpected on Tournament Day!

Membership Sign

All teams must display a membership sign.

No membership number is required.

See Program Guide P17 and P47

Tournament paperwork. 

What does the Team need?

Check out the Program Guide P28 for all the paperwork the teams needs to hand in at staging Check-in. 

The number of copies of each form is important.  Judging teams consist of up to 10 officials.  Sharing one form amongst them becomes a problem...

so please remember the magic number of 4!

Packing

Pack irregularly shaped items and awkward costumes in garbage bags, garment bags, or gently wrapped in clingwrap, which also provides protection from wet or windy weather.

Safeguard fragile props by packing them in storage bins, labelled with your team's name for quickidentification in crowded loading and setting up areas.

P4 teams think about how the structure is transported

Including a “Prop First Aid” repair kit is a must: duct tape, hot glue and glue gun, extension cord, scissors,batteries, safety pins, markers, makeup, wipes, tissues, and band-aids.

Plus those random materials your team may need – feathers? Soda tabs? A spare jump rope? Baking soda?And don’t forget ibuprofen for the Coaches!

Performance Prep

Transporting props – Anyone may help the team move props into the building, to the staging check-in and to the Staging Area.  This includes helping move props after the judges have finished talking to the team once their performance has ended.

Only team members can apply makeup or fix hairstyles, help each other into costumes, assemble items and make last minute touches or repairs.  Individuals outside the team such as coaches or parents doing this risk the team receiving  Outside Assistance penalties.

Arrive early.  Check out the performance site.  Watch performances. Make sure the team has been fed and had a bathroom visit before their performance time (especially the little ones).

Does yrou team have the jitters? “Worried” nerves can transform into “excited” ones with a little positivity. Try a team cheer, song, chant, or inside joke to ease the jitters.

Coaches and supporters, please model good sportsmanship for your team members. Be kind and respectful to others especially the officials and volunteers. Poor sportsmanship by a coach, supporter or team could result in penalty points that can also be awarded retroactively.

Tournaments are competitions but remind your team that winning isn’t everything. Their Odyssey journey includes not only the tournament but the planning, construction and rehearsing of their solution, building friendships and how they have developed as a team throughout the year.

(H) OMers' Odyssey - Vol 2

Here are the latest updates and reports from the Odyssey teams from New York that we are following throughout the season.

Warwick Valley - Div 2

January kept this Odyssey of the Mind team moving in every direction, in the best way possible. Our long-term solution continues to come together. Sets are being built, plans adjusted, and costume ideas tested as we prepare for our quickly approaching Region 5 tournament. 

This hardworking (and fun-loving) group includes Jocelyn, Max, Brynn, Emilia, Luci, Maddie, and Eliza. Each team member brings their own strengths, ideas, and personality, making practices (mostly!) productive and very entertaining!

January is off to a strong start, and we’re excited to keep building momentum as tournament season approaches. 

Bethlehem CSD - Div 3

News from Rayne, Nex, Erics, Stephanie, Nicholas, Jeremy & Bridger.

From power tools to planning, construction work to working under pressure, designing sets to growing as a person… We have all learned so much throughout our time with Odyssey of the Mind. Many of us will be graduating this year and moving on to college. But, in one way or another, we all plan to continue using our creativity wherever life takes us. Once an Omer, always an Omer!

Rayne:  I learned how to use power tools like jigsaws and drills. I will be majoring in art and art history next year in college.

Nex:  I learned how to plan out different designs and create things with different, unique materials. I will continue to use these skills in college as I plan to major in architecture.

Nicholas:  I have learned how to make structural supports. I hope to go to college for computer science and game design.

Bridger:  Through Odyssey, I learned to improvise under pressure. I will be majoring in environmental engineering in college to put my skills to use in an industry that needs some creative ideas!

Stephanie:  Over the past three years, I have learned that you can always improve the situation, even if it seems impossible. Next year, I will be studying filmmaking in college.

Erica:  During my time with Odyssey, I have learned how to stretch my horizons and really put myself out there. Next year, I will continue to build my drawing and painting portfolio as a HS junior.

Jeremy:  I learned a lot about balancing my time between Odyssey, school and other commitments. It has helped me be more organized. I plan on continuing to use my OM acting skills next year in college.

Hoosic Valley – Div 1

This month the Hoosic Valley Elementary team dove into props! 

After completing the outline of their long-term problem, the teammates had fun opening up some left over supplies that were gifted to them.  They found a great many treasures, and developed even more ideas for backdrops and special effects along with plenty of ideas for each costume and props. Then they all brainstormed more ideas to add to an already spectacular skit.

Saratoga Independent School – Primary

Our Primary Odyssey of the Mind team has been buzzing with creativity as they write their script, try on different roles, and start fitting all the pieces together.

With collaboration and connection leading the way, it’s been pure joy to watch our littlest adventurers imagine, problem-solve, and bring their big ideas to life—one creative moment at a time.

East Main Elementary School - Odyssey Angels

Our team of 3rd and 4th graders have been so excited to participate in this! They have been very busy this month.

We have been working hard on our long-term solution and we had a spontaneous night with our whole district of OM teams which was a lot of fun! Our Odyssey Angel project is progressing nicely too!

We have been working very hard and have reached out to the local animal shelter, and they have provided us with a list of materials they really need. We have also started gathering the materials that we need to make the toys for the animals to play with.

We have reached out to our school community and our town as well to help support us with this amazing project! Finally, we are in the process of deciding when we will get to visit the shelter and interact with the animals! 

Happy New Year!

With news from NY Odyssey about Scholarship opportunities, pin design winners and pin pictures, important deadlines for coaches and our reular coaching corner.

Your STEAM-powered Odyssey!

Want to win $1,000 towards your school tuition or expenses?

NYSOMA’s scholarship committee is now accepting applications from high school seniors and college freshmen for the 2026 NYSOMA scholarships.

The challenge is to create a video and explain how you and your team used STEAM principles (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) in your Odyssey solutions. Brag about your creativity: performances, props, scenery, costumes and devices you have built using artistic and engineering design principles.

The deadline for submissions is March 1^st, 2026, and winners will be invited to receive their awards at State Finals and have their videos showcased on a giant LED screen.

For full details and to access the online application,

visit www.nyodyssey.org/scholarship-application.

COU Scholarships

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU), the non-profit arm of Odyssey of the Mind, is also accepting applications for a number of different scholarship opportunities.

If you are a high school senior, a college freshman, sophomore, or junior, or a college senior pursuing post-graduate education then consider applying for one of several COU scholarships. 

For more information,

visit https://www.creativeopportunities.org/scholarshipintroduction

Announcing the 2026 Pin Design Winners

Toaster set

- Veronica Talma - (Odyssey Alumni)

Block OMER

- Anabel Chan - (Sandfordville ES)

Playbill: Phant-OM of the Opera

- Evan Antolick - (Odyssey Alumni and Coach of the Division 4  team).

And here are all of the 2026 New York Pins

Take a sneak peek at this year’s finished pins – available for purchase at your local regional tournament and at the souvenir booth at State Finals

Toaster set

Chickens in Boots set

Fruit and Ladybirds set

Single Pins

Coaches Corner

Team Registration Deadline January 9^th, 2026

To compete in your regional tournament the team’s problem and division, plus regional tournament registration must be completed by January 8^th by 11:59pm.

Register in the Members Area in Odyssey HQ.

Any questions contact either your Regional Director or Lynn at Llucas@nysoma.org

Coaching Tips

Team Meeting Times

Fitting Odyssey team building and practice time around holidays, school breaks, and team member absences is hard!

• Morning meetings on weekends (or weekdays over breaks) may work better for your team than hectic afternoons or evenings. Plus, breakfast-y snacks like bagels or donut holes are always fun!

• Having your team divide themselves up into smaller groups of 2 or 3 to tackle long-term projects separately allows for different meeting times and locations, while still getting the work done.

• Practice the same Spontaneous problem separately with smaller groups of team members and then have them compare how Group A solved it vs. Group B.

Read the Problem!!

Don’t forget to read, read, and reread the Problem and the Program Guide – especially Chapter 5 and the Glossary.

Remember to submit any team specific clarifications by February 15th