Apply for the Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) is pleased to announce two new scholarships for students planning to attend institutions of higher learning next year, either continuing or new students. The Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey offers two $555.00 scholarships to Odyssey of the Mind participants (current or prior). One scholarship will be awarded to an Omer who has competed in Problem 5, and one scholarship will be awarded to an Omer who plans to pursue a degree in the field of education.

Applications are now open and the deadline to submit an application has been extended from April 15th to April 30th. Details are available on the COU Scholarships & Grants page, then scroll down to The Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey.

Pin and Quilt Sweepstakes

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) is pleased to announce the return of their online sweepstakes for one of three Pin Sets or one of two World Finals T-Shirt fleece blankets! So, whether you are participating at the in person World Finals, virtual World Finals or simply love collecting OM Pins or T-Shirts, they can still give away these awesome prizes in an online sweepstakes!

The Pin Sets: COU has collected official state and country pins from associations all over the United States and around the globe to create three sets of World Finals pins. Three lucky winners will be randomly drawn from all sweepstakes entries to be the recipients of these collector's items!

The Fleece Blankets: COU has also collected official state and country t-shirts from associations all over the United States and around the globe to create World Finals T-Shirt Fleece Blankets. Two lucky winners will be randomly drawn from the sweepstakes entries to be the recipients of these collector's items!

Where Does the Money Go? Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) supports teams around the world with scholarships for individual OMers, grants that help member associations around the world bring the Odyssey of the Mind program to more students. Your donation goes toward supporting these initiatives as we celebrate the bright young participants in Odyssey of the Mind!

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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