(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

(H) OMers' Odyssey - Vol 1

Take a peek at what life is like for participants in Odyssey of the Mind. We will be posting updates and reports from several Odyssey teams from New York throughout the season: preparing, competing and just having fun!

Warwick Valley - Div 2

Our Odyssey of the Mind season is off to a fiery start, just like our favorite snack, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos! This month has been full of creativity, teamwork, and a new team tradition we’re excited about.

Meet Omer the Roamer, our team’s version of “Elf on the Shelf.” Omer shows up in a different spot every meeting and keeps things fun while we brainstorm ideas, build our solution, and laugh together during practice.

As we work on our problem, we’ve also set some goals for the season. Some of us are trying to speak up more during spontaneous problems, others are learning how to use new tools in the workshop, and all of us are working on becoming a stronger team as we get to know each other better. These skills will help us at competition and also help us feel more confident working together.

This month, we officially started building the solution we designed as a team. It’s been exciting to see everyone share ideas and help each other out. Some teammates who were quieter at first are starting to speak up more, and it’s made our teamwork even better.

This is just the beginning, but our team is already having a lot of fun and is excited for what’s ahead!

Bethlehem CSD - Div 3

A video greeting from Rayne, Nex, Erics, Stephanie, Nicholas, Jeremy & Bridger. All seniors except for one.

Hoosic Valley – Div 1

During the month of December a brand-new team was formed to represent Hoosic Valley Elementary in the Division I, Region 4 OOTM competition.

It happened when a group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders walked with their families into an information session on a Saturday morning.  Jacob, Brody, Dominic, Violet, Maela and Charlie had all heard about Odyssey, but none had ever participated or even watched an Odyssey performance.  However, a brief presentation, and a few hands-on and verbal spontaneous problem examples - they were all hooked!  Before the end of the session, they had already unanimously agreed on what Long-Term problem they would like to do.

All the families were equally excited and set the date for their first official OOTM team meeting.  During this first meeting, this eager group jumped immediately into sharing ideas and got right into setting up their story!  They continued brainstorming while breaking for a snack, then began to even walk through a potential sequence for a performance.  There was so much laughter, silliness and excitement in the room! This group is sure to make the most of their time together and have begun to form friendships that will likely last a lifetime!

Saratoga Independent School – Primary

Our first weeks of togetherness have been spent connecting, collaborating, and building team spirit!  Puzzles, pictures, marshmallow structures and lots of laughs!

East Main Elementary School - Odyssey Angels

Let me start by introducing our team. We are a division 1 team from Port Jervis, NY. We are made up of three 4th graders and four 3rd graders. Our team members are Aubrey, Jaggar, Andrew, Michael, Sofia, Lincoln, and Sadie. The team is off to a great start, and they have already started brainstorming fun and creative ways to help their community. They have decided they would like to help the furry friends in our community this year. The team has decided to help the animals in our local animal shelter.

They plan to reach out to the shelter and talk with them about things they could use and then gather items that the animals need. The team also knows that along with things the animals need attention too. So the team members want to arrange times to visit the animals and help walk or play with them as well. Also, the team had the great idea of using their crafting skills that they learn in OM to make toys for the animals as well that will help them find joy, encourage play, and help keep their minds stimulated in the shelter while they wait for their future homes. We can't wait to see the results of their hard work!