EJR, Crispell Odyssey of the Mind structure teams head to world competition

Two Pine Bush Odyssey of the Mind teams are headed to the world competition in Iowa this May, after placing first and second in the New York State championships this weekend in Syracuse.

The Edward J. Russell Elementary structure team, coached by Naomi Bush and Doreen Sandor, overcame some design issues and a long delay to take first place in their division.

Seven older elementary students and two teachers. They are standing in front of a blue backdrop that says New York Odyssey of the Mind. Several of the students are wearing black cowboy hats. One student is holding a large trophy. Two students hold a banner that says Odyssey of the Mind 2022 State Champions. The students are wearing blue ribbons with medals around their necks. — The 2022 EJR Odyssey of the Mind team came in first in its division. Members include Howie Eriksen, Leyla Diaz, Jackson Gerspach, Ty Hoehmann, Nora Kheiralla, Elizabeth Peterson and Michael Sullivan.

The Crispell Middle School structure team, coached by Stacey Mark, finished second in their division and won the tournament’s only Renatra Fusca Award for extreme creativity for both their skit and their structure design.

Six middle school students and a woman all smiling and wearing navy blue sweatshirts with the letters PB in white on them. They have red ribbons around their necks. Two of the students are holding a large trophy. One student on the left is holding up his arms as if to show his miscles. — The Crispell structure team won the Renatra Fusca award for creativity, the only one handed out at the state finals. Its members are Kaylee Bedell, Kara Wittenberg, McKayla Hundley, Anna Hajek, Leah Germano and Angus Russell.

The Pine Bush High School and Crispell Middle School’s vehicle teams placed third in their respective divisions. PBHS is coached by Bobbi Walter. The Crispell team, coached by Dawn Bedell, won an OMER Award for creativity in their solution. They also overcame a team member’s loss of her voice the day before the competition.

“I was thrilled to be at the state competition in Syracuse to cheer on our Pine Bush Odyssey teams,” said Interim Superintendent Donna Geidel. “They were all so committed and creative! It was great having all of our teams place in the top three in the state in their respective divisions. We will be rooting for EJR and Crispell in the world’s.”

The EJR and Crispell structure teams will head to worlds at the University of Iowa, from May 25 to 28. Between now and then, the teams will be practicing diligently and hosting a few fundraisers.

Way to go PB! We are moving on to Iowa!

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EJR, Crispell Odyssey of the Mind structure teams head to world competition