Port Jervis Odyssey team places 18th at Worlds!

The Port Jervis Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team placed 18th out of 54 teams at the World Finals in Michigan. This is an outstanding accomplishment for the team's first time at the international competition. "The kids were very happy with the outcome," said team co-coach Pauline Aumick, who noted that one of the highlights of the four-day competition was sponsoring a team from South Korea. Aumick said, "They absolutely loved their buddy team. There was a slight language barrier, but the teams figured it out and became friends quickly. They exchanged email addresses and hopefully will stay in touch...It was really a wonderful experience." 

Middle School students build strong friendships
with their South Korean buddy team
Odyssey of the Mind offers World Finals teams from the United States and Canada the opportunity to serve as “Buddy Teams” to International teams participating at World Finals. The Port Jervis Middle School team is sponsoring
a team from South Korean. (Left) Two South Korean students hold the Port Jervis banner in support of the Middle School team during their competition. (Right) Team members and their coaches are pictured with the South Korean team.  

Opening/Awards Ceremonies- Port Jervis eighth grader Ariana Laupati had the added honor of representing New York State May 26 in the World Tournament Opening Ceremony. The World Finals Opening Ceremony and Awards Ceremony were broadcast as a live web cast on the official Odyssey of the Mind web site.

Middle School holds world-class send off for team
(POSTED: May 25, 2010)
Everyone at the Middle School rallied together May 25 to hold a world-class sendoff party for its Odyssey of the Mind team. The team is competing in the 2010 World Tournament at Michigan State University, May 26-29, against teams from around the country - and the world. Best wishes to team members Aaron Aumick, Ryan Keane, Ariana Laupati, Rashaad Escamilla, Alison Buzzelli, Sydney Hendershot, and Tanya Ramano; and their coaches Pauline and Clare Aumick.  MORE PHOTOS
View Tracy Baxter's video report on Recordonline.com
Photos will also appear in Friday's Gazette.

Middle School Odyssey Team is going to Worlds!
POSTED: APRIL 5, 2010
The Port Jervis Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team took first place
at the State Tournament in Binghamton, NY on March 27. Team members Aaron Aumick, Ryan Keane, Ariana Laupati, Rashaad Escamilla, Alison Buzzelli, Sydney Hendershot, Tanya Ramano will now advance to the World Finals at Michigan State University, May 26 to 29.

The Middle School team is coached by Pauline and Clare Aumick –
the mother and grandfather of a team member. This is their third year coaching for Port Jervis.

Like in their problem, this team overcame many obstacles. They worked very hard spending 12 to 15 hours a week practicing and perfecting their skit and props for their long-term problem. They also spent many hours practicing spontaneous problems. At the same time, all seven students remained on the high honor and honor roll at school. Coach Pauline Aumick said it was rewarding to see the students grow as a team.  "Sometimes they failed and learned from their experience," she said. "They also learned how to express their own ideas in a group, how to compromise and to build upon the strengths of their teammates. They truly are an amazing group of kids!"

At the state tournament, the team had the rare opportunity to meet Dr. Sam Micklus, the founder of Odyssey of the Mind. It was an honor and unforgettable experience for the team. Aaron Aumick says, “Having the chance to thank him for his hard work and asking questions was almost better than winning first place.”

Two Port Jervis teams earned coveted slots at the New York State Tournament after winning first place at the regional tournament at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen. Along with the Middle School team, the Port Jervis High School “Return to the Gift of Flight” team competed at states by creating and operating a series of aircraft powered by three different propulsions systems. Congratulations to all of the students!

Two Odyssey of the Mind teams win regional tournament
High School & Middle School teams will now advance to States   
POSTED: FEBRUARY 22, 2010

Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team members proudly display their first-place trophy and medallions.

Two Port Jervis Odyssey of the Mind teams qualified to compete in the New York State Tournament after winning first place in their respective divisions Feb. 20 at the regional tournament at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen, NY.

The Port Jervis High School “Return to the Gift of Flight” team won first place by creating and operating a series of aircraft powered by three different propulsions systems. One of the Middle School teams took first place honors in the “Nature Trail’R” division with its human-powered car that resembled a giant roller skate. Both teams have earned a coveted slot at the New York State tournament at Binghamton University on March 27.
 

The other Middle School team took third place at the region tournament in the “Discovered Treasures” division.
 

The High School Odyssey team took first place in the Return to Gift of Flight division.

An international program that promotes creative problem solving, Odyssey of the Mind challenges students in grades 1 to 12 to compete in long-term problem solving and spontaneous on-the-spot brainstorming. This year, the regional competition brought 750 students in 107 teams from Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and Dutchess counties to Goshen.

The Port Jervis School District sent seven teams to 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!

FIRST PLACE – Gift of Flight, Division III
Port Jervis High School Team
Coaches: Rebecca & Keith Murphy
Team members: Kiley Murphy, Heather Tonnessen, Marina Bishara, S. Tedeseco, Nate Wolf, Brian Parsons, Daniel Murphy

FIRST PLACE – Nature Trail’R, Division II
Port Jervis Middle School Team
Coaches: Pauline and Clare Aumick – coaches
Team members: Aaron Aumick, Ryan Keane, Ariana Laupati, Rashaad Escamilla, Alison Buzzelli,
Sydney Hendershot, Tanya Ramano

THIRD PLACE – Discovered Treasures, Division II
Port Jervis Middle School Team
Coach: Jennifer Caiafa
Team members: Sarah Caiafa, Jessica Parker, Shelby Hoovler, Austin Wilson, Jordan Presto,
Monica DiGiantommaso, Hunter Curreri

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School Primary, Team #1
Coaches: Bridgett Brace and Elizebeth Wilson Olivia Stanzl
Team members: Chandler Brace, Robert Filancia, Spencer Hughes, Alex Kinman, Timmy Batzel,
Grady Brunelle

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School, Problem #1
Coaches: Danielle Trochiano and Tammy Mackin
Team members: Marcia Cal, Austin VanWie, Lauren Cheshire, Rebekah Ramos, Megan Lissner,
Jeffrey Mackin, Samantha Morejon

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School, Problem #3
Coach: Susan Elston-Mills
Team members: Sophia DiGiantommaso, Kennedy Sanok, Heath Hoovler, Coleman Parker,
Kimberly Gilbert, Kristen Robinson, Zachary Hanham

Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School, Problem #5
Coach: Lynn McCann-Hendershot Bryn Hendershot
Team members: Maggie Wiliamson, Julia Legato, Elizabeth Tasker, Adam Princiotto, Harry Tomasi, Joshua Kowinsky