February News

With news about how to support a new NYSOMA scholarship in honor of Jackie Otte, deadlines for this and other scholarships, last chance to submit team specific clarifications, opportunities to get involved in running the Odyssey program in New York, and information about regional tournaments, as well as a look forward to the 2026 State Finals tournament. Finally, we continue our regular feature, "Coaches' Corner", with information and advice for new and established coaches.

Jackie Otte NYSOMA Scholarship

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jackie Otte.

Jackie was Association Director for New York for many years, a NYSOMA Board Member and Chair, the World Finals Shadow coordinator, State Problem Captain for Primary, among many other activities for Odyssey of the Mind.

She was recognized in 2013 by being awarded the prestigious Odyssey Spirit Award for over 30 years of volunteerism.

A warm and caring individual, she was a leader, mentor and inspiration to legions of OMers. She will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to her husband, New York's Wayne Otte, IPC for Problem 1, and to his family.

Donate

To honor her life and service to New York Odyssey, NYSOMA is establishing a yearly scholarship in her name. Donations can be made by clicking here.

Applications for this year’s NYSOMA scholarships are due March 1^st.

Details, and the application form, can be found here.

Odyssey Alumni Awards are Open

The links are now live: https://www.odysseyalumni.org/awards

EMERGING ALUMNI AWARD

This award recognizes current high school sophomores and juniors who are competing or who have competed and are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Apply here.

ODYSSEY AMBASSADOR AWARD

This award recognizes alumni who have competed, are between the ages of 18-25, and who are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Activities such as judging, organizing tournaments, coaching teams, or coordinating activities with regional or state associations would qualify an applicant. Apply here.

Both applications close on March 15, though sometimes there is a grace period for the Ambassador application given its ties to World Finals. 

Want to get more involved?

Open Positions within NYSOMA

Assistant State Director

– supports the State Director in the running of the program throughout NYS.

Board Members

– actively participate in all aspects of running the program in New York

Registrar

– coordinates membership and team registrations for NYSOMA and State Finals.

Committee Members

– working with other volunteers on sales, pins, policies, digital communications, sponsorship or helping organize and run the State Tournament.

If you are interested in getting more involved in the New York Odyssey program contact Chris Lucas, Chair of the Nominating Committee at clucas@nysoma.org

Regional Tournaments have started !!

In sub-zero temperatures teams from Region 15 started off the regional tournaments in New York on February 7^th at Mount Morris High School. Despite the weather the teams were fantastic, with the creativity on display as hot as could be!

Next up is Region 12 on Feb 21^st, with lots more tournaments from late February into March.

Check out the tournament dates and locations here, as well as the scores from Region 15.

Have fun and good luck to all teams.  We can’t wait to see your solutions to this year’s problems!

As usual first place teams plus ties will advance to State Finals on March 21^st at the NYS Fairgrounds and Solvay High School. In some problems and divisions, some teams will be awarded lottery slots to also advance but that’s a secret as to who will receive these coveted slots as they will only be announced at the regional awards ceremony.

If you are interested in volunteering at a regional tournament or at State Finals or know somebody who is, contact your Regional Director or Lynn Lucas LLucas@nysoma.org

State Finals

This year’s State Finals will be at the NYS Fairgrounds on Saturday March 21^st. As with last year, we will be allowing prop drop in the buildings on Friday from 3-7pm, hopefully reducing traffic congestion and stress for teams and coaches on tournament day.

Information on this year’s State Finals can be found in the FAQ page, and closer to the date, on the State Finals pages.

Coaches, Expect the Unexpected on Tournament Day!

Membership Sign

All teams must display a membership sign.

No membership number is required.

See Program Guide P17 and P47

Tournament paperwork. 

What does the Team need?

Check out the Program Guide P28 for all the paperwork the teams needs to hand in at staging Check-in. 

The number of copies of each form is important.  Judging teams consist of up to 10 officials.  Sharing one form amongst them becomes a problem...

so please remember the magic number of 4!

Packing

Pack irregularly shaped items and awkward costumes in garbage bags, garment bags, or gently wrapped in clingwrap, which also provides protection from wet or windy weather.

Safeguard fragile props by packing them in storage bins, labelled with your team's name for quickidentification in crowded loading and setting up areas.

P4 teams think about how the structure is transported

Including a “Prop First Aid” repair kit is a must: duct tape, hot glue and glue gun, extension cord, scissors,batteries, safety pins, markers, makeup, wipes, tissues, and band-aids.

Plus those random materials your team may need – feathers? Soda tabs? A spare jump rope? Baking soda?And don’t forget ibuprofen for the Coaches!

Performance Prep

Transporting props – Anyone may help the team move props into the building, to the staging check-in and to the Staging Area.  This includes helping move props after the judges have finished talking to the team once their performance has ended.

Only team members can apply makeup or fix hairstyles, help each other into costumes, assemble items and make last minute touches or repairs.  Individuals outside the team such as coaches or parents doing this risk the team receiving  Outside Assistance penalties.

Arrive early.  Check out the performance site.  Watch performances. Make sure the team has been fed and had a bathroom visit before their performance time (especially the little ones).

Does yrou team have the jitters? “Worried” nerves can transform into “excited” ones with a little positivity. Try a team cheer, song, chant, or inside joke to ease the jitters.

Coaches and supporters, please model good sportsmanship for your team members. Be kind and respectful to others especially the officials and volunteers. Poor sportsmanship by a coach, supporter or team could result in penalty points that can also be awarded retroactively.

Tournaments are competitions but remind your team that winning isn’t everything. Their Odyssey journey includes not only the tournament but the planning, construction and rehearsing of their solution, building friendships and how they have developed as a team throughout the year.