An eye to the wise (4)!

Latest news from NY Odyssey

Covering State Finals, results & special awards (OMER's and Ranatra Fusca Awards), the NYSOMA Scholarship 2024 winners and the roster of Team NY - representing New York at the World Finals in Ames, IA.

State Finals

It was our biggest tournament ever, with over 250 teams from across the state competing for the honor of representing New York at the World Finals in Ames, Iowa, May 22nd-25th.

We had a giant LED screen displaying shout outs, and team pictures inside the Center of Progress and then an amazing dance party and awards ceremony.

Weren't able to attend State Finals this year?

Relive the excitement of the Awards Ceremony via a recording the livestream at www.nyodyssey.org/videos-state-finals.

OMER’s Awards – State Finals

Rocking World Detour Div III - COBLESKILL-RICHMONDVILLE HS #16607

Stephanie Viglietta - Wellsville Central School District

Dianne Chalavoutis - DONALD P. SUTHERLAND ELEMENTARY #37615

Diane Betzweiser - Shenendehowa Middle School

 

Ranatra Fusca Awards – State Finals

Drive-In Movie Div II - MONHAGEN MID SCH #38342 

AI Tech-No-Art Div III - BROADALBIN-PERTH JR\/SR H S #12167 

Team NY at World Finals

First and Second place teams at States plus ties and Ranatra Fusca award winners are advancing to World Finals to represent team New York in Ames, Iowa May 21st to 24th.

Representing NY at World Finals, in Ames Iowa

ATTICA CENT S Region 15 P5            D1

BALLSTON SPA MS Region 6 P4            D2

BETHLEHEM CENTRAL H Region 7 P4            D3

BROADALBIN-PERTH JR/SR H S Region 21 P2            D3

BROOKS HILL ES Region 14 P3            D1

FAIRPORT HS Region 14 P5            D3

GENESEO MID/HS Region 15 P1            D3

GOSHEN IS Region 5 P2            D1

HOOSIC VALLEY JR/SR HS Region 4 P5            D2

HOOSIC VALLEY JR/SR HS Region 4 P3            D3

LONG BEACH ES Region 2 P5            D1

LONG BEACH MS Region 2 P2            D2

LONG BEACH MS Region 2 P3            D2

MALTA AVENUE ES Region 6 P4            D1

MONHAGEN MS Region 5 P1            D2

MONTGOMERY ES Region 5 P3            D1

PARK AVENUE ES Region 5 P5            D1

PERRY CENT S Region 15 P1            D3

PINE BUSH ES Region 5 P1            D1

PINE BUSH H S Region 5 P2            D3

PINE TREE ELEM Region 5 P3            D1

PITTSFORD HS A Region 14 P5            D3

PITTSFORD HS B Region 14 P3            D3

SANFORDVILLE ES Region 5 P2            D1

SCHOOL #18 Region 4 P5            D1

SKANEATELES MS Region 11 P4            D2

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST SCHOOL Region 12 P3            D1

STATE STREET ES B Region 11 P1            D1

WARWICK VALLEY MS Region 5 P1            D2

WARWICK VALLEY MS Region 5 P2            D2

WASHINGTONVILLE H S Region 5 P4            D3

WASHINGTONVILLE MS Region 5  P3            D2

YORK ES Region 15 P4            D1

YORK MID/HS Region 15 P5            D2

YORK MID/HS Region 15 P5            D3

NY Odyssey Instagram account @nysodyssey will be posting photos and graphics from World Finals.

Follow and tag us!

NYSOMA Scholarship 2024 winners

"What has being an OMer taught you, and how will it help you and future employers?"

This years challenge, for HS seniors, was to create a lively, entertaining and creative video that will show people what they have learned, and what real world 21st century skills they have developed, by participating in Odyssey of the Mind . 

4 scholarships of $1,000 were awarded this year to Shamus Evans, Jenna Hopmayer, Lauryn Donahue and Madelyn Carpenter.

Check out their winning videos at www.nyodyssey.org/scholarships-2024

One of our winners Shamus, the day after State Finals, competed with his father in the Boston Marathon and achieved a personal best time of 2:55, placing 2nd in their division.

https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a60514590/father-son-duo-runs-255-at-boston-marathon-shaun-shamus-evans/

The duo received fantastic support all round the course. Shamus told his dad after the race, "My smile muscles are tired!"

Dr. Sam

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of the founder of the Odyssey of the Mind program. However, it is not a time for tears but rather one for smiles celebrating all the amazing accomplishments millions of students from all over the years have achieved since OM began.

Dr. Sam (Dr. C. Samuel Micklus) started developing innovative problem-solving skills in students initially during his time teaching at Rowan University in New Jersey, where his Industrial Design class provided the inspiration for the Ranatra Fusca award.

The face and beating heart of the Odyssey program, Dr Sam oversaw more than 40 years of creative problem-solving expanding the program across the globe and writing umpteen long-term and spontaneous problems.

Ever present at World Finals, he supported teams and was a kindly face to generations of Odyssey teams. He always appreciated a great story, a funny joke, and a good creative idea.

There will be a tribute to Dr. Sam at the upcoming Odyssey of the Mind 2024 World Finals at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. It will be broadcast, and attendance will be open to all. 

Odyssey HQ is very busy preparing for World Finals and is asking that you wait to share any memories you have when they publish a link for them to be collected, preserved, and eventually shared.

An eye to the wise (2)!

Announcing the NYSOMA Community Star Award, our first regional tournament, upcoming tournaments, volunteer opportunities and an exciting webinar hosted by NASA.

The NYSOMA Community Star Award.

There are so many people or businesses throughout the state who give a lot of time and effort towards Odyssey.  Often these people/businesses fly under the radar or are only recognized regionally. 

NYSOMA would love to acknowledge them in a broader way by announcing their efforts and achievements to the whole state.  As such, we are launching a new annual award - the NYSOMA Community Star Award. This does not replace the Omer award but is intended to recognize previously unsung heroes. 

So, if you know of anybody that has gone above and beyond to help the program, please use this link to submit an on-line nomination. Feel free to share this announcement with anybody who might like to nominate a Community Star.

The deadline for nominations is March 15th.

Region 13 Tournament

An unexpected snowstorm could not keep the OMers from Region 13 competing in the very first regional tournament in NY State. Congratulations to all.

Teams advancing are:

Drive-In Movie Div II

    1st SHERBURNE EARLVILLE MIDDLE SCH    Sherburne, NY

Classics...  Opening Night Antics Div I

    1st HUNTER-TANNERSVILLE ELE SCH          Tannersville, NY

Classics...  Opening Night Antics Div III

    1st GREENE CENTRAL MID/HS                    Greene, NY

    2nd HUNTER TANNERSVILLE MS/HS           Tannersville, NY

Rocking World Detour Div I

    1st SHERBURNE EARLVILLE ELE SCH            Sherburne, NY

    2nd GREENLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL   Bainbridge, NY

Rocking World Detour Div II

    1st HUNTER-TANNERSVILLE ELE SCH          Tannersville, NY

    2nd GREENE CENTRAL MID/HS                   Greene, NY

Rocking World Detour Div III

    1st SHERBURNE-EARLVILLE HS                    Sherburne, NY

    2nd GREENE CENTRAL MID/HS                   Greene, NY

Omer Award - Individual

Tucker Valentine         Sherburne-Earlville MS

Full results are available here

Upcoming Tournaments

More regional tournaments will be happening in the month of March!

March 2nd       Regions 5, 7, 8/9 & 14

March 9th        Regions 6, 12, 15 & 21

March 23rd      Regions 4, 11 & 19

Good luck to all our teams!

Team Hotels

If you are lucky enough to advance to State Finals, make sure to secure hotel rooms for your team members and coaches. NYSOM has negotiated a block of rooms at several Syracuse hotels, at discount rates. Make sure to mention NYSOMA when you call to make your reservations. Check out the list of hotels here.

Volunteering at State Finals

To help State Finals to run smoothly and give teams the best opportunity to perform, we need volunteers to help with various tasks. Roles include performance venue guides, door attendants, score runners, information desk workers and souvenir sales assistants (all training necessary will be given on the day). To sign up as a Volunteer click here.

In order to judge at State Finals, however, you need to be trained and ideally have judged at a regional tournament. Coaches from non-advancing teams are also able to act as judges in their problem, with additional training. All judges will be offered a shared hotel room the night before and a very spiffy blue officials T-shirt!

To register as a Judge use the link here.

NASA webinar

Did you know that less than 3% of Earth’s water is freshwater? On March 22 we celebrate World Water Day around the globe. Join NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) for the next event in our free GPM 10-in-10 webinar series.

Several NASA scientists will discuss how and why NASA keeps track of Earth's limited freshwater resources. You will also discover how you can monitor precipitation yourself as a citizen scientist working with CoCoRaHS and the GLO.