Honoring Betsy Gumustop

The Bethlehem Central Odyssey of the Mind team has made a fantastic donation of

$1500 to the NYSOMA Scholarship Fund in memory of Betsy Gumustop.

The following letter was received from Rebecca Beiter, Bethlehem Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator.

Dear Odyssey Friends,

The Bethlehem Central Odyssey of the Mind team is happy to make a donation of

$1500 to the NYSOMA Scholarship Fund in memory of Betsy Gumustop. Betsy was a devoted Odyssey of the Mind coach and Program Coordinator for many years in the Bethlehem Central School District. She was devoted to the program and known for her matter-of-fact style and unwavering encouragement. The Bethlehem students grew under her leadership, from her intensive Spontaneous workshops to her supportive long term problem critiques. Her legacy has left an indelible mark on our Odyssey program.

When Betsy passed away earlier this year, her husband wanted to make sure students would continue to benefit from Odyssey of the Mind. He therefore asked for donations to our Odyssey program in lieu of flowers. Through the generosity of Betsy's friends and family, we are able to make this donation as well as individual donations to graduating Bethlehem students who showed dedication to the program through the years.

We hope the recipients of this donation will continue to live creatively as they pursue their college educations.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Beiter

Bethlehem Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator

https://www.newcomeralbany.com/Obituary/201928/Elizabeth-Gumustop/Albany-NY

2022 Friend of NYSOMA

NYSOMA is delighted to award Rick Pray the 2022 Friend of NYSOMA Award to recognize all that he has given in support of the program in New York State.

Many years ago a student persuaded his father to coach his Odyssey team, since the team needed a coach. Little did this father know that this would be the start of a 30-year long Odyssey journey coaching his son’s team then adding his daughter’s team so coaching 2 teams at once. As the kids grew older and coaching was no longer needed he became a judge for problems 1 and 2. His involvement grew as he volunteered to join the NY Odyssey Board and became it’s chairperson. All while running his own business.

Rick Pray is the perfect example of a person passionate about Odyssey of the Mind and the value the program holds to our young people as seen in coaching for 10 years, taking his team to World Finals to receive a Ranatra Fusca award to then continue to judge once his children graduated school. His commanding presence could be felt as a Head Judge at both regional tournaments and State Finals in the way he supported his judging teams, communicated with coaches and always aired on the side of the students.

Rick though went above and beyond and joined the NYSOMA Board of Directors in 2002 after redesigning and building the then “new and improved” Creativity Booth and manning it at World Finals. Remember the beavers launching all those ping-pong balls?

Rick was a Board member and the Board Chairperson for many years. During this time there was nothing he wasn’t prepared to help with, from reaching out to local businesses selling ads in the state finals program book, to helping with printing banners and signs and to providing a corner in his business location to store supplies and inventory.

Known for his quirky sense of humor, his willingness to help anybody and his strong leadership qualities that have helped guide the NYSOMA Board in so many ways and for so many years, Rick is the epitome of Odyssey.

2022 NYSOMA Scholarship Winners

The New York State Odyssey of the Mind Association (NYSOMA) Scholarship Committee is pleased to congratulate Delaney Schoenfeldt and Gwendolyn Harmon, recipients of this year's scholarship awards!

Delaney Schoenfeldt is from Vestal, NY – Region 12.

When she started Odyssey, she was so nervous that while performing that she wore a big mask that covered her whole face and barely talked! Delaney credits Odyssey of the Mind in helping her be a more confident person, learning to love performing and gaining a bunch of new skills and friends along the way. Over the past nine years she has competed in OM, she has qualified for World Finals three times, last year placing 4th. She has also received an OMER award for being part of a team that shaved their heads to raise money for pediatric cancer research, ending up with $14,000 dollars going to charity.

Delaney is planning to attend Stony Brook University for Health Sciences this fall.

Gwendolyn Harmon is from Fairport, NY – Region 14.

She has been an OMer for 9 years, and always choses Problem 3! Her team has attended states twice and World Finals twice and placed 5th in the 2020 virtual world finals. During her time as a member of an Odyssey of the Mind team Gwen has learned to be creative and confident, a good communicator and an even better listener. In addition to acquiring many new skills and developing her creativity and talent, she thanks Odyssey for the lasting friendships and communication abilities she has derived.

Next year Gwen will be attending Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majoring in Food Science and Nutritional Sciences.

Check out their videos on the 2022 Scholarship Page