Senate Resolution No. 2432

BY: Senator ASHBY

        CONGRATULATING  the  members  of the Hoosic Valley
        Odyssey of the  Mind  Teams  upon  the  occasion  of
        winning  first  place  in  New  York State for their
        outstanding solutions to their respective problems

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in  accord
with  its  long-standing  traditions,  honoring  the youth of today, and
leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the
ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; and

  WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to  congratulate  the
members of the Hoosic Valley Odyssey of the Mind Teams upon the occasion
of winning first place in New York State for their outstanding solutions
to their respective problems on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the New York
State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York; and

  WHEREAS, Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program
in  which  students from kindergarten through college learn how to think
divergently by working as a team to solve an open-ended problem; and

  WHEREAS, As part of the Odyssey of the Mind program,  students  also
learn creativity, innovation, problem-solving, critical thinking, global
awareness,  interpersonal  and collaborative communication skills, self-
directions and adaptability; and

  WHEREAS, Competing against over 250 teams across New York State, the
Hoosic Valley Odyssey of the Mind Teams have  won  first  place  in  two
categories;  the  Division 2 team captured the championship in problem 5
and the Division 3 team dominated Problem 3 to win the title; and

  WHEREAS, The two first place teams will be advancing to the  Odyssey
of  the  Mind  World  Tournament  at  Iowa  State University from May 20
through May 25, 2024; and

  WHEREAS, The Hoosic Valley Division  3  Odyssey  of  the  Mind  Team
members  are: Isabella Schmidt, Evan Antolick, Anna Grace Macica, Terrie
Cottrell, Marie Ackerley, Amelia Stannard, and Sophia Wilson; and

  WHEREAS, The Hoosic Valley Division  2  Odyssey  of  the  Mind  Team
members  are:  Laura  Rice,  Hayley Valcik, Nora Luskin, Makenna Luskin,
Sophia Akin, Rileigh Davis, and Brielle Chapko; and

  WHEREAS, Coach Kyle Schmidt and Coach Margaret Rice have done superb
jobs in guiding, molding and inspiring their team members  toward  their
goals; and

  WHEREAS,  Poised  eagerly  with  enthusiasm  and determined purpose,
these  scholars  now  stand  honorably,  with  just   pride   in   their
accomplishments   and   in  eager  anticipation  of  future  challenges,
understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and  support  provided
by their coach, teachers, family and friends; and

  WHEREAS, Educational competition instills the values of teamwork and
accomplishment,  and these outstanding students have clearly contributed
to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their  school;  now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the Hoosic Valley Odyssey of the Mind  Teams
upon  the  occasion  of  winning first place in New York State for their
outstanding solutions to their respective problems; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to Coach Kyle Schmidt, Coach Margaret Rice, and the members
of the Hoosic Valley Odyssey of the Mind Teams.