Voorheesville Teams Excel at Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament

Middle school team advances to state championship

March 10, 2010 – Seven teams from the Voorheesville School District – including students from Kindergarten through middle school – competed in the Odyssey of the Mind regional tournament at Shenendehowa High School on March 6, and two came away with top awards. Voorheesville’s middle school team placed first in its division and now advances to the state tournament at the University of Binghamton on March 27. A team of fourth graders placed second in Division 1.

“The tournament was AWESOME!” said coach Judy Strauss, whose team of second graders performed a skit about a surprise party. “Our team had a wonderful morning and the kids did so incredibly well.”

Throughout the day-long tournament, Voorheesville teams attended each other’s performances and cheered each other on. Students were easily recognizable wearing their purple and gold Voorheesville Odyssey shirts.

Surprise Party (K-2)

• Team A: Madeline Jones, Bryce Jones, Luke Straut, Michael Strauss, Aidan Strauss, Emma Parker, Marisa Herr; Coached by Judy Strauss and Karen Jones

• Team B: Haden Anderson, Katie Hampston, Connor Smith, McKenzie Bruno, Sean Bruno, Jack Mattfeld, Sarah Mattfeld; Coached by Laura Smith, Shanna Anderson, and Jen Hampston

• Team C: Molly Schroeder McAlevey, Bryce Henkel, Krista Rivers, Hannah Boehlke, Griffen Boehlke, Elle Whiteman, Edie Schaeffer; Coached by Chet Boehlke and Beth Whiteman

Division 1 (grades 3-5)

• Return to the Gift of Flight: Lily McDonnell, Camille McDonnell, Ian Longden, Joey Saia, Joey Gravino, Nick Summerson, Daniel Curran; Coached by Jeannie McDonnell and Elizabeth Longden

• Food Court: Abby Goldfarb, Mia Crisafulli, Lauren Mackey, Maya Herr, Sara Gannon, Emily Eagleton, Madeline McDonnell; Coached by Deirdre Keating

• Discovered Treasures (2nd Place!): (In photo at right, left to right) Joelle Lisboa, Abby Parker, Sarah Bracken, Cole Anderson, Isabel Jobin-Davis, Emma Hampston, and Grace Summerson. Coached by Michelle Lisboa, assisted by Jen Hampston.

Division 2 (Middle School) (2nd Place!): (In photo below, left to right) Luke Gorka, Ben Mackay, Braeden Morrison, Sadye Goldfarb, Lydia Parker, and Alex Relyea (missing from photo, Phoebe Siegel). Coached by Cindy Morrison.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Students apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition at the local, state and world level.

Jean Mackay, program coordinator, said,"The program would not be possible at VCSD without the support of the PTA and the school district, and the incredible dedication and talent of each team’s coaches. Congratulations to all of this year’s participants for a job well done!"