Two Warwick teams qualify for Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
The Warwick Valley High School Odyssey of the Mind team performs at the New York State Fairgrounds.
Odyssey of the Mind teams from Warwick Valley High School and Sanfordville Elementary School qualified for the World Championships with strong performances on Saturday at the New York State competition in Syracuse.
The WVHS team placed first in the Division III Odyssey ReOmvention competition. Their problem was to present a performance that identifies an original threat to the environment that self-replicates until a team-created technical reOMvention removes the threat. The performance had to include original music and two animal characters.
Team members include Alanna Adee, Sophia Amato, Cavan Byrne, Mary Hoey, Olivia Holland, Sophia Samborski and Arianna Weinberg. The team is coached by Casey Mears.
“The team worked very hard and their time, effort, and creativity paid off,” Ms. Mears said. “They are very excited to move on to Worlds in May!”
Top row from left to right: Arianna Weinberg, Sophia Amato, Olivia Holland, Sophia Samborski and Mary Hoey. Bottom row from left to right: Alanna Adee and Cavan Byrne
The Sanfordville team placed second to Queensbury Intermediate School in the Division I Escape vroOM competition. Their problem was to create a performance that included one or more team-created vehicles that will help a group of characters escape an unusual room. The vehicle had to travel to areas within the room and complete tasks.
Team members include John Powers, Max Powers, Blake Harrison, Eamonn Byrne, Angelica Costanza, Madison Candia and Lilah Diaz. The team is coached by Heidi Powers and Dan Powers.
Front row from left to right John Powers, Max Powers, Blake Harrison, Eamonn Byrne, Angelica Costanza, Madison Candia and Lilah Diaz. Back row: Heidi Powers and Dan Powers.
The two WVCSD teams now advance the World Odyssey of the Mind Competition at Iowa State University on May 25-28. This is the fifth time in the past six years that Warwick teams have reached the World Finals.
The purpose of the Odyssey of the Mind competition is to focus on creative problem-solving using a team approach. It is based on the concept that “mind games” can be played with as much enthusiasm and competitive spirit as athletic games.