Odyssey of the Mind

New York Regions 4 & 7

January 17, 2023

Message from Your Regional Directors

Happy New Year from your regional Odyssey of the Mind team! As we enter 2023, we are getting closer to the regional tournaments. Thank you to all for registering your teams by the January 6 deadline!

Please keep in mind that our tournaments run smoothly thanks in large part to the dedicated judges and volunteers. **Each team is responsible for providing 1 judge and 1 volunteer.** See below for registration links and please work on recruiting for these important positions.

Judge training will be held later this month, see details below.

As always, thank you for sharing your time and talents with your students.

If you are unsure of your region, see below for more information:

Questar III coordinates the New York State Region 4 tournament for teams in Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties each year.

Capital Region BOCES coordinates the New York State Region 7 tournament for teams in Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, and southern Saratoga counties.

Click the box where your school is listed for more information.

zoom_out_map

Judge Training

When: Saturday January 28, 2023

Time: 9am-1pm

Where: Capital Region BOCES, 900 Watervliet Shaker Road, Albany NY 12205

Please remember that for the tournament to run successfully, all teams must provide a judge. Now is the time to start recruiting a judge for your team. Judges can register using the following links below:

Region 4 Questar III BOCES: click HERE

Region 7 Capital Region BOCES: click HERE

**See below or check the bottom of this newsletter for listing of regional schools**

zoom_out_map

Coach Training Part 2

Coach Training Part 2 - what to expect at competition, what is needed, scores etc., etc.

Recording Available

Recording - click HERE

Slide Deck - click HERE

zoom_out_map

Volunteers

Successful tournaments depends on volunteers. Please keep in mind that all teams are required to provide a volunteer for the day. Assignments can include registration, merchandise, door keepers, score runners and more. Volunteers can register below:

Region 4: click HERE

Region 7: click HERE

zoom_out_map

Odyssey Scholarships

For more information on available Odyssey scholarships, visit the links below:

NYSOMA Scholarship: https://www.nyodyssey.org/post/apply-for-a-2023-nysoma-scholarship

COU Scholarships:

1. Harold Kurtz Scholarship are available to high school seniors.

https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ and click on 'Scholarships + Housing Grants' for details

2. The Emerging Alumni Award recognizes high school sophomores and juniors who are currently competing or who have competed and are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. The application deadline is February 15th https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ and click on 'Alumni + Booster' for details.

3. The Alumni Ambassador Award recognizes alumni who have competed, are between the ages of 18-25, and who are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Activities such as judging, organizing tournaments, coaching teams, or coordinating activities with regional or state associations would qualify an applicant. The recipient will represent and assist Creative Opportunities Unlimited and OdysseyAlumni at World Finals at the Creativity Festival, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Graduation Ceremony, and other activities. The award will cover room and board at World Finals in the same accommodations as Odyssey of the Mind officials as well as a $250 travel stipend. More details and instructions for application can be found at https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ Then click on 'Alumni + Booster' and scroll down. The application deadline is February 15th.

zoom_out_map

Coach Training

Coach Training was held on Tuesday November 29. If you were unable to attend, a recording and the presentation slides are below.

Coach Training Video

Presentation Slides

zoom_out_map

Program Guide

The Program Guide is updated each year. Please be sure to read through the 2022-23 Program Guide for any important changes. You can read the online version HERE or download a copy of it.

2022-23 Problem Synopses

You can find brief descriptions of the 2022-23 Long Term Problems HERE. To get the full problem information, you must register your school and teams.

zoom_out_map

Region 4 Tournament

Questar III will be holding the Region 4 Tournament on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Coxsackie-Athens CSD (snow date March 26, 2023). We are anticipating a fully in-person tournament, but that is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.

To determine your region, please see district listings below.

Region 7 Tournament

Capital Region BOCES will be holding the Region 7 Tournament on Saturday March 4, 2023 at Shenendehowa CSD (snow date March 5, 2023). We are anticipating a fully in-person tournament, but that is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.

To determine your region, please see district listings below.

zoom_out_map

State Tournament

The State Tournament will be held on April 15, 2023 at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Please note that spring break in our region runs from April 7-April 14. This date is final, please feel free to share with families to allow for any travel plans that families may make.

You can find a list of hotels that offer a special rate for Odyssey of the Mind teams. Please keep in mind that these rates may have deadlines before our tournaments take place, so plan accordingly.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay