Four WVCSD Odyssey teams advance to the state tournament
Last weekend, nine teams from Warwick Valley competed in the 2023 Odyssey of the Mind Region 5 tournament at OU-BOCES. A total of 65 teams from 14 schools in Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, and Dutchess counties were there. After months of preparation that began back in October, all of the district’s teams put their best work on display for the OOTM judges, and large, supportive audiences of family members, teachers and administrators, peers, and fellow OMers.
Four of those teams are now preparing to represent Warwick Valley again at the state tournament on April 15.
For a complete list of results from the 2023 Odyssey of the Mind Region 5 tournament, use this link.
“All of our team members did such an incredible job representing Warwick at the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Competition this past Saturday,” said WV Odyssey coordinator Christy Brown. “All of our teams were creative, funny, and had such wonderful presentations. We couldn’t be more proud of these kids for their hard work and dedication to the program.”
View two galleries from Saturday’s OOTM competition below this story.
Both teams from WVMS and one team from Park Avenue placed first in their problems and will be advancing to states. The team from WVHS scored a close third place finish in their crowded and competitive field, which earned them a lottery entry for one of just a handful of additional regional slots for the state tournament. The team won the lottery and will be joining our three other teams at the competition at the New York State Fairgrounds next month!
Odyssey challenges focus on creative problem-solving, and call for students to use a collaborative team approach. It is based on the concept that “mind games” can be played with as much enthusiasm and competitive spirit as athletic games. The competition is organized into problems that are divided into five categories, and include both long-term and spontaneous problem solving. Teams are scored on a combination of points earned during their prepared, long-term performances, their spontaneous responses, and receive an overall score.
View two galleries from Saturday’s OOTM competition below this story.
- WVMS teams finished first in Problem 1: Pirates & Treasure, Division 2, and Problem 2: Because iCan, Division 2.
- Park Avenue won in Problem 2: Because iCan, Division 1.
- WVHS team competed in Problem 3: Classics… the Walls of Troy, Division 3.
- Additionally, a team from Sanfordville finished second in Problem 1: Pirates & Treasure, Division 1.
Congratulations to all of the Warwick Valley OMers!