September News

Including membership info and the new registration system, Program Guide changes, Coach Resources, Registration for statewide online Coach training, and introducing our new Problem 1 State Problem Captain.

Are you Ready?

The full versions of the long-term problems are now available, so it’s time to register for a National Membership.

Need help navigating the new CCI registration system? Instructions can be found here:

https://odysseyofthemind.com/kb/membership-sign-up-2/

Changes to the Program Guide

In addition to reading the problem, coaches and team members should also know what’s in the Program Guide. Each year there are some minor, and not so minor changes to the Program Guide so you should check out the Forms and Files section of the NY Odyssey website to access the 2024/25 Guide and a document that lists all the changes to last year’s guide.

Get Involved!

Wanting to be involved in Odyssey but your school does not offer the program? 

It might be possible to form a community team in your region.

Also, if you are 18 years of age or older then think about being involved as an official.  We are always looking for volunteers to help regionally or at State Finals.

For further information contact Lynn at: LLucas@nysoma.org

NYSOMA Pins for 2024-2025

We received almost 80 pin ideas from team members, coaches and parents.  An outstanding number displaying the creativity that NY OMers have.  The Pin Committee is working on selecting the winning designs for this year’s pins so make sure you check back next month as we reveal the winners!

New State Problem Captain for Problem 1

Firstly we must give a big thanks to Bill Everett for his leadership as State Problem Captain for Problem 1 this last year.  While Bill is leaving this role, he will still remain active as an official. We are extremely lucky to still be able to tap into his vast Odyssey experience.

We welcome Chris Lucas as the State Problem Captain.  Chris has been involved in Odyssey for over 20 years as a coach, team member, regional and State Head Judge and most recently a World Finals Head Judge.

Save the date – Virtual Coaches Training and Overview

Whether you are a veteran or new coach, please come and join members of NYSOMA for a virtual coaches training and over-view of the program on:

Tuesday October 29 at 7pm

To register: www.nyodyssey.org/coach-training

Other Coach Resources on the website

Lots of useful information, for both new and experienced coaches, is available on the website. Check out NY Odyssey’s Coaching Basics, the Coachs' Toolbox, Odyssey Academy and the Spontaneous resources.

August News

Getting ready for the new year, a new registration process, a final call for pin designs and a search for New York's next Odyssey Angels!

Are you ready?  The problems are almost here!

The long-term problems for 2024-2025 are almost ready to be released.

Don’t wait to renew your Odyssey membership, do it now so that your team will have immediate access to the problems. 

Odyssey registration is open and so is a new registration page to make life easier.

Instructions can be found here: https://odysseyofthemind.com/kb/membership-sign-up/

If you have questions about registration email Michael: michael@odysseyofthemind.com

NYSOMA Pin Design Contest Deadline – Final Call

Get your pin designs in NOW!

Deadline is this Friday – August 30th.

Why not become an ‘Odyssey Angel’?

Don’t just use your creativity to solve a problem!

Why not put all the skills you have acquired from being on an Odyssey team to work by using them to help your community?

Start the year, not only thinking as to how you will solve a long-term problem but also thinking as to how you can diverge using the same skill set into making something better in your town, helping others in need or improving a community service.

New York is proud to have had two Odyssey Angel groups in the past: https://www.nyodyssey.org/odyssey-angels

We know there are many more Angels in New York who care about others and their community.

For more details: https://odysseyangels.org/

So, as OMER says, “Be a hero in your community!”

July News

Welcoming new NYSOMA Board Members, a new Board Chair, a look at the problem synopses for next year and a call for pin design suggestions!

NYSOMA Chair

Liz Hall is the new Chairperson of the NYSOMA Board. A big thanks goes out to Jeff Guldenschuh, the previous Chair, who now will shadow the Treasurer, taking that role on fully in 2025 when Jeff Carter steps down.

Liz writes:

"I have been involved with Odyssey for over 20 years and have loved every minute of my time with the organization.  I began as a Long Term judge in the late 1990s and then switched to a Spontaneous judge after a few years.  I joined the NYSOMA board in 2019 as a Board Member, then Recording Secretary, and now happily as the Board Chairperson.  

I have a wonderful husband, Rich, who fully supports my work with NYSOMA, and he even helps with pin counting as we fill the World Finals orders. We do not have children, but have two cats who are totally loved (spoiled), Kona is our Torti and her sister Zoe is our Torbi. They are our COVID cats and are very skittish around other people but they ‘own’ us.  They are 3 years old and were born on my birthday so we have a nice celebration together every year. I recently retired after 41 years as an educator, the last 25 years were spent as a Professor of Special Education at SUNY-Geneseo.  Now I spend my free time traveling the world, dabbling with photography, and quilling."

New Board Members

We are incredibly lucky to introduce 5 new members to the NYSOMA. Let's allow them to introduce themselves.

Caelynn Prilo

Caelynn received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Vermont and an MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from the University at Albany. She has extensive experience in workforce development and training, community-based learning and not-for-profit operations. Caelynn currently serves youth in Schenectady as the Director of Operations at the Boys & Girls Clubs and by sitting on the board of the Schenectady Education Fdn and the Schenectady CTE Advisory Board.

She has been a NYSOMA participant, coach, and judge over the years and loves spontaneous problems! Caelynn enjoys spending her free time outdoors and on the water with her two children, husband and tiny dog.

Hannah Greve

Hi, I'm Hannah! I am an OOTM Alumni (Region 5!!!) and very excited to join the board! I work in the film industry and freelance as a concert/live event photographer.

I am bilingual and speak both English and the Brazilian dialect of Portuguese. I am a big fan of hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with my dog! :)

Naomi Bush

My name is Naomi Bush, I am a speech therapist and Odyssey of the Mind coach. For

sixteen years I have fostered greatness in students who range in age from 5 to 22, in their academic programs. For nine years I have been a coach showcasing my flexibility and creative thinking!! 

I am also a small business owner specializing in creating customized and heirloom  dolls. My work has been featured in newspapers, magazines, museums, art shows, and fiber fairs and festivals. I look forward to sharing my skills and talents with the NYSOMA board. 

Melissa Talma

I am a professional artist, graphic designer, and art teacher, and I coached 10 teams over 9 years of OOTM, and this past year started working with the NYSOMA Board on the Pin Committee.

I love how OOTM makes the quest for innovation, wackiness and silliness into something real, tangible, and deliberate. My personal philosophy is that everyone should pursue creativity in some way, to keep life interesting and make the world a brighter place.

Rachel Brugger

Hi my name is Rachel and Odyssey has been a huge part of my life and I'm excited to be a part of the organization!

I have a bachelors in psychology and love to paint and create non-traditional art in my free time. I also enjoy playing rugby and hiking!

Problem Synopses

Looking to get started again with Odyssey? While the full problems won't be published till August (usually!), here are some sneak peeks to get you excited!

2025-Synopses-Themed

.pdf

Download PDF • 1.11MB

Pin Design Contest

While things are fresh in your mind, why don't you send us a suggestion for next year's pins? We are particularly looking for sets that will trade well at World Finals, but if you have an idea for cute or clever single pin, send it along. It doesn't matter if you aren't artistic send us your idea, rough sketch or finished design and out pin guru will make it happen!