Senate Resolution No. 2617

BY: Senator BONACIC

CONGRATULATING the Sanfordville Elementary School
Odyssey of the Mind Team upon the occasion of
capturing the 2017 World Championship on May 27,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those who, by achieving outstanding success in their
educational endeavors and competitions, have inspired and brought pride
to our majestic Empire State; and

WHEREAS, It is also the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
the dedication and commitment of our young people who distinguish
themselves through excellence in scholastic competition; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate the Sanfordville Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind Team
upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 World Championship on Saturday,
May 27, 2017, at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan;
and

WHEREAS, Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program
which provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from
kindergarten through college; team members apply their creativity to
solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting
their own interpretation of literary classics; and

WHEREAS, Odyssey of the Mind teams bring their solutions to
competition on the local, state, and world level; 825 teams from
throughout the United States and from numerous other countries
participate in the program; and

WHEREAS, The Sanfordville Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind Team
emerged victorious in a field of 54 other teams to capture the top prize
at the 38th Annual Odyssey of the Mind World Finals; and

WHEREAS, This remarkable group of seven students created a humorous
story about a family that brings home an "Odd-a-Bot"; instead of being
programmed to perform tasks, this Odd-a-Bot robot learns from watching
others; the team designed, built, and operated an original robot which
demonstrates human characteristics when performing tasks; and

WHEREAS, During the performance, the Odd-a-Bot moved and learned
human actions from watching characters perform activities such as
household chores, creating art, and dancing; and

WHEREAS, Prior to winning the World Title, the Sanfordville
Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind Team won its regional competition,
and then took first place at the New York State competition at SUNY
Binghamton; and

WHEREAS, Coaches Rekha Woods and Donna Denny have done a superb job
in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their goals;
and

WHEREAS, The triumphant Sanfordville Elementary School Odyssey of
the Mind Team members are Alexa Keys, Julie Woods, Ava Gell, Naa Korkoi
Aryeetey, Olivia Holland, Killian Bauman, and Jay Seward; 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 teachers, family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Educational competition instills the values of teamwork,
pride and accomplishment, and these outstanding students have clearly
made a contribution 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 Sanfordville Elementary School Odyssey of the Mind Team
upon the occasion of capturing the 2017 Odyssey of the Mind World
Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members and coaches of the Sanfordville Elementary
School Odyssey of the Mind Team, and to Johnna Maraia, Principal,
Sanfordville Elementary School.