West Irondequoit honors Odyssey of the Mind teams that competed at Worlds

The West Irondequoit Central School District Board of Education on June 18 recognized students and coaches who represented the district at the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals in Ames, Iowa.

Superintendent Dr. Johnson told the packed meeting the students’ achievement reflects a yearlong commitment that began locally and culminated at state and world levels, calling the program “the jam” for its alignment with the district’s work on executive function and college- and career-ready skills. He and board officers presented certificates to about 26 students across four teams.

Several students addressed the board about their experiences. Fourth-grader Lucas Bam said the trip was “a big lifetime experience that I will never forget” and described meeting peers from other states and countries. Benny Rivera and other team members said the program taught persistence, teamwork and creative problem solving; Everly Stoofel and others credited the experience with building confidence and practical skills such as soldering and using power tools.

The board specifically thanked coaches and volunteers. Michelle Flood was singled out as a longtime supporter who helped sustain the program through space and organizational challenges, and Rachel Rivera and Nate Stone were recognized among adults who coached teams across grade levels.

Board members noted that Odyssey of the Mind is a visible example of the district’s emphasis on student-centered learning and extracurricular activities that build skills beyond the classroom. The board closed the recognition by playing a short video of the teams’ competition highlights and presenting certificates.