Catskill High School took home first place in Problem 5, Division III and will advance to the NYS Finals.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Questar III BOCES co-hosted the New York State Region 4 and Region 7 Odyssey of the Mind Tournament at Coxsackie-Athens Central School District with Capital Region BOCES.
“Questar III BOCES was proud to partner with Capital Region BOCES to host this year’s Odyssey of the Mind Tournament,” said Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys Cruz. “This event celebrates the creativity, teamwork, and problem solving skills of our students. We were honored to welcome teams from across the region and to support an experience that inspires innovation, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.”
From Region 4, a total of 36 teams from 24 schools, representing nine school districts, one independent school, and one BOCES from Rensselaer, Columbia, and Greene Counties, participated in the annual tournament, competing for a coveted invitation to the State Finals in Syracuse this March.
The 2026 problems included:
- Primary (not scored): “Clowning Around with Science”
- Problem 1: Vehicle, “Off the Rails”
- Problem 2: Technical, “Lost in OMERland”
- Problem 3: Classics, “Classics… The Epic Quest”
- Problem 4: Structure, “Life’s a Ball!”
- Problem 5: Performance, “Taller Tales of John Jivery”
Questar III BOCES is proud to announce that 20 Region 4 teams will advance to the New York State Tournament on March 21, 2026!
Hoosic Valley High School earned a second place finish in Problem 5, Division III and will advance to the NYS Finals.
Teams advancing to the NYS Finals:
Problem 1: Off the Rails
- School #16 (Troy CSD) – Division I, first place
- Coxsackie-Athens Middle School – Division II, first place
Problem 2: Lost in OMERland
- Donald R. Sutherland Elementary (East Greenbush CSD) – Division I, first place
- Greenville Middle School – Division II, first place
- Hoosic Valley Elementary School – Division II, second place
Problem 3: Classics… The Epic Quest
- Citizen Genet Elementary School (East Greenbush CSD) – Division I, first place
- Mary’s Institute – Division I, second place
- Hunter-Tannersville Middle-High School – Division II, first place
- Hoosic Valley Elementary School – Division II, second place
- Hoosic Valley High School – Division III, first place
- Questar III and HVCC STEM High School – Division III, second place
Problem 4: Life’s a Ball!
- Howard L Goff Middle School (East Greenbush CSD) – Division II, first place
- Troy High School – Division III, first place
Problem 5: Taller Tales of John Jivery
- Hoosic Valley Elementary School – Division I, first place
- Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School – Division I, second place
- Knickerbacker Middle School (Lansingburgh CSD) – Division II, first place
- Catskill High School – Division III, first place
- Hoosic Valley High School – Division III, second place
- Questar III and HVCC STEM High School – Division III, third place
- Lansingburgh High School – Division III, fourth place
Questar III and HVCC STEM High School earned third place in Problem 5, Division III and will advance to the NYS Finals.
Each year, teams or individuals can be nominated for an Odyssey of the Mind OMER Award for demonstrating exceptional talent or a dedication to teamwork or sportsmanship. This honor can be awarded to team members, coaches, parents, officials, and others who, by their actions and words, exemplify the spirit of Odyssey of the Mind. Congratulations to Coxsackie Elementary School for winning this year’s award!
Additionally, the Ranatra Fusco Award is presented to an individual or team who demonstrates exceptional creativity in ideas, behavior, or presentation at the tournament. This award is designed to recognize “risk-takers” who are original, creative, and imaginative in their approach to the problem. Congratulations to Catskill High School for winning this year’s award!
Congratulations to all teams who placed in the tournament and good luck to those heading to the state tournament.