Pine Island grabs first place-again-at Odyssey of the Mind competition

Goshen—For the second time in three years, the Pine Island intermediate division Odyssey of the Mind team is going to the states! Last Saturday, this group of fourth and fifth graders, led by Coach Della Powderly and supported by countless parents and classmates, beat 14 other schools in the area to win its division. Odyssey of the Mind requires each team to display creative problem solving techniques, in advance and spontaneously. They are presented with a lengthy problem, according to Pine Island principal Jane Hamburger. Each issue in the problem has to be addressed in an eight-minute skit, complete with humor. The kids themselves have to come up with the skit—they write it, build the scenery, and move it onto the set. The coach can ask questions and help with research, but that’s about it. In addition, each team is presented with a problem at the competition. No preparation, no advanced notice. The teammates brainstorm on the problem and present it to the judges and audience. Both scores are combined to determine the winner. Pine Island presented its skit on ancient Egypt. Now, it’s onto Binghamton on March 18th, with sights set on another trip to Ames, Iowa, for the world competition. Two years ago, the Pine Island team was awarded the creativity award at both the regional and state competitions. The team placed 12th at the world competition, the same year Park Avenue’s team placed first in its division. “We have high hopes for this team,” said a glowing Hamburger. “We’re about to bust.” The Warwick Middle School also finished first in the Jungle Bloke category. The teams had worked on six Long-Term Problem Synopses divided into three divisions. Division I was for grades 3 to 5; Division II for grades 6, 7 and 8; and Division III for high schoolers. Among the winners were: • Great Parade Division II, Greenwood Lake Middle School, first. • Tech Transfer Division II, Greenwood Lake Middle School, second. • Ancient Egypt Division I, Pine Island in Warwick took first place; in Division II, Warwick Middle School took third. • Jungle Bloke Division II, Warwick Middle School, first. • Greenwood Lake Middle School won an Omer for its work in Tech Transfer program. The award is presented to teams or individuals who display good sportsmanship, exemplary behavior, or exceptional talent.