Odyssey is a test of mind

Middle School team places at state Odyssey tournament

MS Odyssey team is congratulated by the NY State Tournament Mascot SNYPS.

Congratulations to Aaron Aumick, Ryan Kean, Carly Northup,
Daniel Murphy, Bailey Rhodes, and Rashaad Escamilla for placing
fourth in the "Teach Yer Creature" division at the New York State Odyssey of the Mind State Finals in Binghamton! The Middle School students earned a slot at the coveted state tournament by winning
a second-place trophy at the regional competition with their robotic giraffe. 

Middle School wins takes second-place honors at regional tournament  
  

Robotic giraffe created by Middle School team.

Part drama festival, part science fair, Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students ranging from kindergarten through college age. On Feb. 21, 111 teams representing schools from Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, and Duchess Counties used their creativity at the Region 5 tournament to solve problems that ranged from building mechanical devices to performing skits to present their interpretation of scientific principles or literary classics.
 

The Port Jervis Middle School team took second place in the "Teach Yer Creature" division for creating a mechanical giraffe that moved its feet, turned its head, and ate. During the competition, the team had to demonstrate how it had "taught" the creature how to play the drum, and how it "accidentally" learned to dance by observing others. Team coaches Pauline and Clare Aumick said the students made the robotic giraffe out of broken toys. "The students are amazing," said Pauline Aumick, who notes that they spent approximately 18 hours a week, for the last month, working on the robot and their presentation.  

This year, Port Jervis sent five teams to Orange-Ulster BOCES to compete in the regional competition. All of the students worked diligently for months to create a solution to their team's challenging problem. Their hard work paid off. All of the teams presented solutions that reflected creativity, ingenuity, and a higher level of thinking at the regional tournament.
 

Congratulations to all of the teams!

Port Jervis Middle School
Second Place: Middle School Division 2 - Teach Yer Creature

Coaches: Mrs. Pauline Aumick/ Mr. Clare Aumick
Team members:
Aaron Aumick, Ryan Kean,
Carly Northup, Daniel Murphy,
Bailey Rhodes, Rashaad Escamilla



 

Port Jervis High School
High School Division 3 - The Lost Labor of Hercales

Coaches: Mr. Keith Murphy/ Mrs. Rebecca Murphy
Team members: Kiley Murphy,
Travis Benson, Rachel Mercilliott,
Brian Parsons, Joseph Mannion,
Nate Wolf, Selina Tedesco


 

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School
Primary Division - Candy Factory

Team 1
Coach: Mrs. Liz Wilson
Team members:
Laylah Mackin
Erin Powrie, Bryn Hendershot,
Kasey Samalot, Kayley Vause,
Harry Tomasi


 

Team 2
Coaches: Mrs. Bridgett Brace/ Mrs. Lori Crawn 
Team members:
Taylor Brace, Airyahana Crawn,
Sierra Stevenson, Taylor Smith,
Adam Pinciotto, Selena Corey, Julia Legato



Elementary Division 1 - Superstition

Coaches: Mrs. Keaton Sheehan/ Mrs. Tammy Mackin
Team members:
Sara Hayward, Erin Cornell,
Brittany Kroll, Hannah Santiago,
Joseph Iannone, Jeffrey Mackin,
Jose Hernandez