Skip To Main Content

Chester OMers strong at NY Odyssey of the Mind State Finals

The image shows a group of young people standing in front of a colorful mural depicting a cartoon-like character, likely representing the "Odyssey of the Mind" program, which appears to be the focus of their activity.

Chester Academy’s Odyssey of the Mind (OOTM) team delivered a performance that the entire school community can celebrate when they competed in the OOTM New York State Finals last weekend!

The seven-member team — Emma O’Leary, Chloe Gossai, Emily Kaseta, Stella Dunne, Charlotte Neuhaus, Kristof Neuhaus, and Sawyer McElroy — worked tirelessly throughout the season under the guidance of coach Jennifer O’Leary, with Chester Elementary School Principal Mary Kate Boesch serving as the district’s Odyssey of the Mind Coordinator.

one female student reads to a second femnale students from an index card as part of a performative problem solving sketch

The team competed in Division 2, taking on Problem #5 titled Taller Tales of John Jivery. It is one of OOTM’s “Performance Problems,” which require some particularly performative problem-solving. As required by the adjudication process, students’ skits/solutions for these types of problems must incorporate specific elements, including stage drama, unique lighting effects, puppetry, and set changes. OMers also have to create their own original characters — and their costumes — who navigate unusual situations.

The Taller Tales of John Jivery required the team to create and present a humorous performance about an original tall tale, and the Chester team, as OMers are known to say, really got to the “spirit of the problem" and definitely “did not forget their style!”

A large crowd of people, mostly young, gathered in what appears to be an indoor venue, with various posters and signage visible in the background.

Their performance had to include a hero or heroine who performs an incredible feat, a unique explanation of how something began or came to be, and a surprise for the audience. Each event also had to be accompanied by a visual weather effect that represented an emotion.

The team put on a great performance and placed an impressive 4th out of 19 teams in their problem. It was an absolutely fantastic showing on one of the biggest stages out there for creative problem-solving!

“While our team didn’t advance to the World Finals, they represented Chester Academy incredibly well,” beamed Mrs. O’Leary. “Throughout the season, they demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and a strong commitment—balancing Odyssey with other academic and extracurricular responsibilities. Their performance at the State competition was something they should all be very proud of.”

The image shows a group of people, including several young individuals, posing in front of a colorful banner for the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The banner features a cartoon character and the text "Spontaneous" and "Nom".

Odyssey of the Mind’s international mission is to provide creative problem-solving opportunities for everyone and to foster original and divergent thinking. By working together, participants learn teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and develop an appreciation for perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom. The team’s journey this year exemplifies Chester Union Free School District’s mission to develop global leaders by providing students with learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication — the very skills that Odyssey of the Mind is designed to build.

The Chester Academy team’s dedication and creativity truly reflect Hambo pride. Congratulations to the entire team—you made the Chester school community proud.

A group of young people, wearing matching blue and yellow shirts, are gathered in a room with purple curtains in the background.