Two Union Springs Odyssey of the Mind teams showcased their creativity and problem-solving skills at the regional competition this past Saturday at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES. Both teams put forth impressive performances, earning high scores and securing a spot at the New York State Tournament.
The first team, coached by Mrs. Lynn Stock, competed in AstronOMical Odyssey! Division III, earning a total score of 348. Team members included Isabella Church, Michaela Guarino-Keim, Julia Mainville, Carter Smith, Lilyana Thornton, and Alex VanHouten. Their challenge in the Long Term category required them to develop a humorous performance set in a team-created "historical" civilization, complete with original constellations and unique stories explaining them. Their presentation also featured a comedic astronomer character in a "stellar" costume, a lighting effect, and a shooting star.
The second team, coached by Mr. Alec Targett, competed in Cooking with Books Division III, scoring 350 points. The team consisted of Brynn Akins, Claire Baliva, Kiersten Colombo, Allison Darling, Riley Kozub, and Kylie Lawton. Their problem in the Long Term category involved designing a performance about an original chef character inspired by classic literature. They crafted a gourmet meal based on a selected book, integrating a setting from the story, a team-created cooking gadget, and a dinner party featuring a literary character.
Judges evaluated each team in three categories: Long-Term Problem Solving, Spontaneous Problem Solving, and Style Points. Both Union Springs teams excelled, earning the opportunity to advance to the New York State Tournament, held at the New York State Fairgrounds on April 5.
“We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work, creativity, and teamwork,” said Mr. Targett. “They’ve put in a tremendous effort, and it’s exciting to see them take on the next challenge at the state level.”
If the teams triumph at the state competition, they will advance to the 2025 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in East Lansing, Michigan, from May 21-24.
Congratulations and best of luck to our Union Springs Wolves as they prepare for the next round of competition!
