2022 NYSOMA Scholarship Winners
Why be a Coach?
This year, OMers were challenged to create a short video to encourage people to be an Odyssey of the Mind Coach. We received many wonderful entries, and from these 2 recipients were chosen. They will each receive $750 to help with college expenses.
Delaney Schoenfeldt
Vestal - Region1 2
Gwendolyn Harmon
Fairport - Region 14
When she started Odyssey, she was so nervous that while performing that she wore a big mask that covered her whole face and barely talked! Delaney credits Odyssey of the Mind in helping her be a more confident person, learning to love performing and gaining a bunch of new skills and friends along the way.
Over the past nine years she has competed in OM, she has qualified for World Finals three times, last year placing 4th. She has also received an OMER award for being part of a team that shaved their heads to raise money for pediatric cancer research, ending up with $14,000 dollars going to charity.
Delaney is planning to attend Stony Brook University for Health Sciences this fall.
She has been an OMer for 9 years, and always choses Problem 3! Her team has attended states twice and World Finals twice and placed 5th in the 2020 virtual world finals.
During her time as a member of an Odyssey of the Mind team Gwen has learned to be creative and confident, a good communicator and an even better listener.
In addition to acquiring many new skills and developing her creativity and talent, she thanks Odyssey for the lasting friendships and communication abilities she has derived.
Next year Gwen will be attending Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majoring in Food Science and Nutritional Sciences.
