ODYSSEY OF THE MINDS
Regional competition brings out creativity and brainpower
Ateam of students from Pine-Richland and North Allegheny high schools earned a coveted award after placing first in their age group in the 2024 Odyssey of the Mind Western Pennsylvania Regional Tournament at Keystone Oaks High School on March 2
Pine-Richland seniors Nicolai Ezolt, Mia Tucciarone, Connor Foote and Michael Lattari and North Allegheny senior Helen Mao and freshman David Mao of STEAM Studio were recipients of the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award for demonstrating outstanding creativity and embodying all that the Odyssey of the Mind program represents.
Founded in the 1970s, Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problemsolving program for students in grades K-12.
Teams competed in three divisions after choosing one of five problems to solve.
STEAM Studio, a nonprofit enrichment program based in Warrendale, shined in the DivisionIII category “Classics ... Opening Night Antics.” The students were tasked with writing a skit that depicted an opening night play that included a set malfunction and an incident that caused the playto go awry.
Students had to choose a character from a list of classic stories who reviewed the play as a theater critic. STEAM Studio picked Mr. Toad from the children’s novel “The Wind in the Willows” and madehim part of a musical.
The students composed music, wrote lyrics and made backgrounds, props and costumes.
Sarah Ezolt, who has coached STEAM Studio for 13 years, beginning when her son was in kindergarten, considers this her best team.
“Our team, like most, has changed over the years,” she said. “Odyssey of the Mind is a huge time commitment.”
She said the work begins in late August, when the problems are announced. The students meet and work together throughout the school year, often multiple times a week.
“The amount of time required is a commitment many high schoolers are unable to make,” she said.
Nicolai Ezolt, 17, of Pine, was impressed by his team’s dedicationand performance.
“I have never seen scores as close to the ones we got,” he said. “I am so lucky to be surrounded by a fantastic team, especially our artist, HelenMao.”
Tucciarone, 18, of Richland, agreed.
“It’s insane, her artistic talent,” she said.
STEAM Studio will compete in the state finals April 6 at Pocono Mountain East High School. If it finishes among top teams there, it will qualify for the World Finals in Mayat Iowa State University.
The team was a runner-up at the World Finals last year and earned an OMER’s Award for exhibiting exceptional skill and talents.
Western Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind, which has the most teams of the state’s six regions, is sending 43 teams to the state finals. Thirty-two teams won first or second place in their problems/divisions. Eleven others finished third or fourth and are advancing because the other regions didn’t have enough first- and second-place teams.
Hampton and Upper St. Clairschool districts are each sending eight teams; Keystone Oaks, seven; Mt. Lebanon, six; Avonworth, four; Northgate, three; and Peters Township, two. Chartiers Valley, Pine-Richland and Quaker Valley school districts are each sending one team, as is the Washington, Pa., Salvation Army and STEAMStudio.