Broadalbin-Perth Odyssey of the Mind Team Wins World An Inspiring Tale of Creativity, Engineering Skills, and Community Support

The Broadalbin-Perth Odyssey of the Mind team has made history by winning the title of WORLD CHAMPIONS! This is their fourth consecutive trip to the World Finals and the first time in school district history that they have won first place at the event. The team returned from Iowa State University, where they won first place in their problem and division.

Upon their return, supporters welcomed them with an impromptu parade in the Village of Broadalbin and an in-school celebration is planned for Tuesday. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the school district and community, as it demonstrates the students’ dedication, creativity, and engineering skills.

The judges nominated the team for the Ranatra Fusca Award due to their exceptional performance in Problem 2 Division 3. The team showcased their creativity and ingenuity by using craft paper to create textures, intricate costumes, and sound effects in just 8 minutes. Their Broadway-like show impressed judges with its engineering prowess, humor, artistic design, and innovation.

The team members include seniors Logan Aery, Lauryn Donahue, Blaine Herrick, Jacob Hughes, along with junior Ryan Michalski. They were coached by Carl and Alison Aery. The team also received another Ranatra Fusca award at New York State Championships for their exceptional creativity. Overall this victory highlights the importance of supporting students’ passion for learning and encouraging them to pursue their interests outside of traditional classroom settings.