April News

Details of the new Pin Design contest, World Finals qualifying teams, OMER's and Ranatra Fusca award winners from States, Scholarship winners from NYSOMA and COU, and 2025 Friend of NYSOMA and Community Star awards.

Michigan Here We Come!

An outstanding 49 teams will be representing NY at the 2025 World Finals at Michigan State University in May.

Join us in cheering them on and wishing them all the best!

Allegany Limestone MS/HS Ballston Spa MS, Bethlehem Central HS (2 teams), Broadalbin Perthe Jr/Sr HS, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake HS, Circleville ES, Dake Jr HS, Fairport Odyssey of the Mind (2 teams), First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles, Geneseo MS/HS, Goshen HS, Goshen MS, Grace Collaborative, Homer Brink ES (2 teams), Hoosic Valley HS, Hunter Tannersville MS/HS, iPad Rehab Microsoldering, Johnstown HS, Lansingburgh HS, Long Beach ES (3 teams), Long Beach MS (2 teams), Mendon Center ES, Middletown HS, Mount Morris MS/Sr HS, Park Ave ES, Park Road ES, Pine Bush HS, Questar III and HVCC STEM HS, Salamanca HS, Sandfordville ES, Sherburne-Earlville MS, St John the Evangelist School, Vestal MS, Warwick Valley HS (2 teams), Warwick Valley MS (2 teams), Wellsville ES, York ES, York MS/HS (4 teams)

Ranatra Fusca

Team – P1D2 - Sherburne Earlville Middle School.

Team – P1D1 – Sandfordville ES

Both teams are advancing to World Finals in Michigan. Congratulations!!

OMER's Awards

Reverand Michael Hill, First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles – R11

This year, our Odyssey of the Mind program found itself unexpectedly without a home. Just as we were starting to feel completely unmoored, this Reverand and the entire Church community opened their doors-and their hearts.

With no hesitation, no red tape, and not one word of complaint, this individual gave the team an incredible amount of space: rooms to build, spaces to rehearse, storage for our wild creations. They sponsored us under their insurance and never once blinked at the noise, the mess, or the chaos that naturally comes with an Odyssey team in full creative motion.

He spoke with genuine delight about the energy and life the kids brought into the church. That warmth, that support, that sense of celebration instead of mere permission-it meant everything to us!

Carly Seligman, Goshen HS – R5

This OMER started OM 7 years ago as a musician, with her flute and handmade instruments as her voice. She slowly progressed due to OM, and this year, her final year competing, she has a vocal lead role as Alice from the Looking Glass, a required character. It's amazing to see her on the stage with such enthusiasm, singing, dancing and speaking. She comes to life on that OM stage, and those that know her are astonished and so proud of her. She wants to help coach next year as a senior in HS to help other children

Sierra Obernesser, Bethlehem School District – R7

This team member has been competing in Odyssey for over 10 years, but more importantly for the past 5 years, she has not only been part of a team, but also a student coach assisting in 8 teams this year. While competing in 2 very competitive high school level sports, and volunteering to coach 2-3 days per week for her 8 teams, she hung in there helping and encouraging everyone along the way even with so much pressure on her. She has been the reason why I continued to do Odyssey this year, and I don't think I ever would have if I didn't meet her.

Doug McConnell, Long Beach School District – R2

This coach has been the single biggest supporter and coach of the OM program in our school. Our history with the program goes back for many years but, his impact is unparalleled. Since taking the reigns over 8 years ago he expanded the program across the elementary and middle schools. When the middle school coach could no longer continue, he stepped in and recruited more coaches to keep the program going. He has expanded the amount of teams so more kids could participate and worked with the kids to elevate our program. He is a constant advocate for all of the kids with the parents and our District. His energy is endless and the kids light up when he enters the room.

Yara Shihada, Michelle Gimena, Port Jervis HS – R5

Four of their team members who performed at regionals were unfortunately not able to participate in the state tournament. These two team members revamped their

entire skit and created puppets in place of their missing team members. They

exemplify grit and perseverance. They have accepted this challenge with the highest level of sportsmanship; embracing it, enjoying it, and creating a solution in a short window to be able to keep the show on the road!

Buraq Amin, Pittsford MS – R14

This person brought real-world leadership into the classroom, drawing from her college education to teach teamwork, creativity, and resilience. She empowered the girls to understand power tools, explore science, ask questions, laws of physics and take full ownership of their work, insisting (parents) step back and not be involved so the kids could shine on their own. She checked in with each child individually, making sure they felt seen, supported, and valued in their team.

She represents the kind of leadership our society desperately needs. She leads by example, not for recognition, but because she genuinely cares.

NYSOMA Scholarships

This year three HS seniors were each awarded $1,000 scholarships to help with the cost of college. OMers were challenged to create a creative and effective video to sell Odyssey of the Mind to prospective team members, coaches or sponsoring organizations/schools. Here are details of our awardees and a link to their winning submissions.

Anna Buchanan

"I’m Anna Buchanan from Washingtonville High School (Region 5)! I have done Odyssey for ten years, every year since third grade. I started when I moved to a new school, and Odyssey was a perfect way for me to make new friends and use my creative skills in a productive manner. I kept going back to Odyssey year after year because of how much I enjoyed it and felt like I belonged.

I have done every problem besides structure and have placed nearly every year, going to States twice (three if the Covid year hadn’t messed up plans). I am now a better public speaker and feel more confident in sharing my skills and talents with others. For high school, I am the Team Captain and have learned how to manage a team along with doing my own projects.

I plan on attending a four-year University and getting a degree in Environmental Science and possibly becoming an Environmental Engineer. Odyssey has changed my life and put me on the path to success. I am forever grateful to all of the wonderful people who made Odyssey real and allowed it to happen in my region."

Watch Anna's Video

Rylee Hoornbeck

"My name is Rylee Hoornbeck and I participated in the Pine Bush School District’s (Region 5) Odyssey of the Mind program for seven years. Competing for six of those years, I have learned to embrace challenges, think creatively, and work with a team to bring many intricate ideas to life.

Through my years of participation, "I have found myself constructing elaborate props and writing humorous scripts. Odyssey has given me the space to push boundaries and develop problem-solving skills that extend far beyond competition. Through Odyssey of the Mind, I have gained confidence, and the ability to think unconventionally. I have also made most of my best friends that I think will last a lifetime.

The experience of brainstorming wild ideas, turning them into something functional, and presenting them with my team has shaped how I approach challenges in all aspects of life.

This Fall, I will be attending Pace University’s Honors College in New York City, where I plan to major in Chemistry. I truly believe that Odyssey of the Mind will have a lasting impact on the way I think and help me succeed in college."

Watch Rylee's Video

Ashton Talma

"I am Ashton Talma from Fairport (Region 14) and since third grade, I have been deeply engaged in Odyssey of the Mind. This program has fueled my passion for thinking outside the box and strengthened my ability to apply critical thinking, teamwork, and resourcefulness. Odyssey of the Mind is not just about finding a solution; it is about developing unique, imaginative approaches to complex problems.

In Odyssey of the Mind, my team has tackled a variety of challenges, excelling in theatrical performances. I have written scripts, composed songs, choreographed dances, and built devices to create engaging eight-minute skits. These experiences have strengthened my creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, which I know will be invaluable in my future. Through dedication and teamwork, my team has placed third in the World twice and fifth once.

My experiences in Odyssey have inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field, where creative problem-solving is essential. I plan to attend SUNY Albany to study Biology, using the skills I have gained to address real-world challenges in medicine."

Watch Ashton's Video

COU Scholarships and Odyssey Alumni Awards

- New York recipients

1. Harold Kurtz Scholarship Odyssey - Problem 5 - Ashton Talma

Awarded to a HS senior who is a current or past Problem 5 participant and is planning on a career in education.

2. Creative Opportunities Unlimited Visionary Scholarships - Abigail McCarthy, Brynn Crewell

Awarded for their commitment to and involvement in the Odyssey of the Mind program with intentions to continue as an Odyssey of the Mind participant/volunteer, and career or life plans directly related to one's involvement in Odyssey of the Mind.

3. 2025 Alumni Ambassador Award – Veronica Talma

Veronica will be attending World Finals to represent and assist Creative Opportunities Unlimited and Odyssey Alumni at World Finals at the Creativity Festival. If you are MSU bound, go and say hello to her at the COU desk at the Creativity Festival.

COU Sweepstakes

Creative Opportunities Unlimited (COU) hosts an annual sweepstakes to generate funds used to support scholarships, conference attendance, and other association support. The winners receive a collection of current WF pins, which is an incredible prize!

If you are interested in entering the sweepstakes. Here is the link:

https://creativeopportunities.rallyup.com/2025/Campaign/Details

Friend of NYSOMA

This award was established by the NYSOMA Board of Directors to honor the service of individuals, who through personal action demonstrate, in an extraordinary way, those social values affirmed to the goals of New York State Odyssey of the Mind. The inscription on the plaque reads: “In recognition and appreciation of unique talents and creative energies offered on behalf of NYSOMA.”

With a new program comes a lot of challenges and NYSOMA could not have managed to make this new program available in NY without the tireless and inspirational work of Jodi Antin.

Jodi has trained and supported staff and attended the presentations of the teams as they show case their solution to the modified long-term problem.

Jodie has long-term visions for the program in New York, planning out-reach and working on potential funding. She has done this while also supporting her own region14 as Co-Regional Director.

Jodi is incredibly committed to Odyssey Inclusive and strongly believes that this modified version of Odyssey has unique benefits for this population. Jodi is a true advocate not only for Odyssey of the Mind but also for Odyssey Inclusive.

NYSOMA is delighted to award Jodi Antin with the Friend of NYSOMA award.

Community Star Award

The Community Star Award is to honor individuals within our Odyssey community who go above and beyond, often without recognition.

This nominee as well as coaching and using Odyssey principles within her classroom has also promoted the program at conferences.

Colleagues from her region had this to say about her:

“No matter how many teams or students she is wrangling, she is always calm, organized, and enthusiastic. She truly would rather give every student possible, a chance to participate, even if it means she must shoulder all the coaching duties. She’s pretty impressive!”

Indeed, this became a reality this year when this coach had so many students in her middle school wanting to be on an Odyssey team, that rather than turn anyone away, she took on coaching not one or two teams but eight with 50 students participating in the program!

NYSOMA is delighted to recognize from Region 7 - Rebecca Beiter for her dedication and commitment to the Odyssey of the Mind program within her community.