Odyssey of the Mind teams from Pine Bush High School, Crispell Middle School and Pakanasink Elementary School finished first in their respective regional divisions and are now moving on to the state competition in Syracuse!
- The PAK team is coached by Terri Hatfield and worked on Problem 5 – The Most Dramatic Problem Ever.
- The first-place PBHS took on Problem 5 as well, coached by Bobbi Walter.
- The team from Crispell that took first place worked on Problem 4 – Where’s the Structure. It was coached by Dawn Bedell.
These three teams will compete on the state level on April 15 in Syracuse.
The regional competition also confers OMer awards for extreme creativity. This year, three students from the Pine Bush High School Classics Team received this award for their use of 3D printing and robotics in their team’s solution – Elias Blumrath, Aaron Schoenberg, and Tyler Sheeley.
Pine Bush sent a total of nine teams to the regional competition, one from each elementary school, one from CVMS, two from Crispell and two from PBHS. Our district is so proud of every student who worked so hard as part of their school’s team, showing their creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
Pine Bush had three additional teams placing:
Second place teams:
- HS classics team – coached by Nick Ruggeri
- EJR structure team – coached by Heather Mowen and Corrine Vertescher
Third place team:
- CVMS theatrical team – coached by Samantha Petrosi)
What is Odyssey of the Mind?
Teams of up to seven students compete in five different problems which encompass vehicle, technical, classics, structure and theatrical. There are three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Each team receives its problem in early October and then proceeds to build, tape, glue, paint and “test run” props and mechanisms to prepare the best solution to the challenge. The tasks include a skit or performance that is an original creation.
In addition to the assigned problem, Odyssey of the Mind competitors also have the opportunity to “flex” their intellectual skills by solving a spontaneous problem which involves quick and logical thinking. Teams do not have any prior knowledge about the spontaneous question and must present a creative solution on the spot.
Our Regional Winners
PBHS Theatrical #5 Team
- Coach: Bobbi Walter
- Maddy Carpenter
- Sienna Forbes
- Jenna Hopmayer
- Katie Johnson
- Rebecca Magnetico
- Meryl Palinkas
Crispell Structure #4 Team
- Coach Dawn Bedell
- Kaylee Bedell
- Sean Farah
- Ty Hoehmann
- Angus Russell
- CJ Turcotte-O’Dell
- Kara Wittenburg
PAK Theatrical #5 Team
- Coach Terri Hatfield
- Taleen Ali
- Giovanni Alvino
- Veralyn Bavolar
- Gianna Gamboa
- Kathleen Hayden
- Alana Otero
- Callie Steinard