The odyssey begins tomorrow

CENTRAL VALLEY — Ten teams of academic athletes have completed the final touches on their presentations for tomorrow’s Odyssey of the Mind competition, the educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students worldwide.

The regional finals begin tomorrow at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen at 8 a.m.

The regional competition is just part of the adventure the 10 teams have been involved with since last fall, when they auditioned for team membership in a high competitive selection process.

Now, their work comes down to how the judges rank their creative problem solving presentations that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

“They’ve been crazed with dress rehearsals, putting on the final touches and paper work,” said Debra Garling, the district’s Gifted/Talented coordinator who also oversees the Odyssey of the Mind program. “They’re all excited. There’s something in the air that tells them, ‘This is it.’”

With a reduction in the number of teams this year versus last year due to budget cuts, Garling felt “the teams are very strong teams and condensed with talent.”

The teams, Garling added, know there’s fierce competition which awaits them.

“We’ve told the kids to be ready and to come in with their ‘A Game,’” she said. “We’ve told them what they all must really do is to do their best.”

— Nancy Kriz