“You broke records and made history,” Onondaga County Legislator Julie Abbott, said.
With those words, Abbott (6th District) began a special presentation at the start of the legislature’s june session.
She was speaking to a large group of elementary-aged children from Skaneateles Central School District’s State Street Elementary who had gathered at the front of the legislature’s chambers. Most wore brightly colored t-shirts. A handful of teachers, advisors and parents joined them.
The nearly 30 students assembled were part of four teams the district recently sent to the World Finals of Odyssey of the Mind, a program where students learn how to develop skills and self-confidence which will carry over to all areas of their lives.
At the competition, team members presented their solution to a predefined long-term problem that often takes many months to complete.
Creativity, writing, design, construction, and theatrical performance are all part of it. In the end, two of the Skaneateles teams placed in the top 5, an amazing achievement.
Team St. Claire/Kowalski took fourth place, Team Brooks/Bringas came in fifth place, with Team Barnes/Moro and Team Viashampayan finishing in the top half of teams competing. Earning the right to be part of this competition didn’t come easily.
The teams spent months competing at various levels before earning the right to go to the World Finals.
“This accomplishment is nothing short of amazing” Abbott said. “For students to compete and win locally, regionally, on the state level and then at the World Finals, is just fantastic and really shows what a person can do if they put their mind behind it. These young people are our future leaders and it’s great to see them work together and creatively solve problems.”
Abbott said she has seen it first hand: her son participated in Odyssey of the Mind from elementary through high school.
She said it’s a fantastic program which brings together students with various interests – for example, an outgoing star athlete and a quiet student who participates in the performing arts.
The World Finals competition was held in Michigan and featured 60+ teams from 11 different countries.
This year marks the first time Skaneateles has sent four teams to the World Finals.
To get there, the four teams had to raise about $40,000 and their organizer, teacher Ellen Wolford, says they are especially thankful for all of the community’s support.
“The kids have to do it all” Wolford said. “Everything that goes in front of the judges from their costumes to their set to their script to what they came up with all has to be kid generated. So, we’re really proud of all of their hard work.”
“I’m so proud of our Skaneateles students. Way to go kids,” Abbott said.
Submitted photo
Onondaga County Legislator Julie Abbott recently celebrated the Skaneateles Odysseey of the Mind teams.
