News Detail

Hepburn-Lycoming Primary

From left: Layla Harer, Addyson Harrison, Timbre Darrow, Brantley Bankert, Owen Berger and Gabe Harer.

Cochran Primary

Back row from left: Coaches Kat Walter, Bryn Allen and Spring Moore. At front from left: Cameron Walter, Lucas Morrow, Freya Allen, Flynn Moore, Anneliese Walter and Felix Fisher.

Curtin Intermediate

Back row from left: Coach Amy Harpster, Alexander Frank, Charlie Vanaskie, Hadley Diemer and Coach Kelly Campbell. Front row from left: Piper Fox, Haddie Harpster and McKay Campbell.

Williamsport Area High School

At back from left: Cooper Gutberlet, Asher McCllelland, Mason Robinson, and coaches Spring Moore and Kendra Reeder. At front from left: Faye Moore, Ava Carter and Daniel Turner.

Williamsport Area High School

Back row from left: Coach Adam Harpster and Brayden Harpster. Middle row from left: Ben Whitnack, Cooper Gutberlet, Alex Vail, and coaches Melanie Vail and Amy Harpster. At front: Haddie Harpster.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (MARCH 5, 2024) — Three of the five Williamsport Area School District Odyssey of the Mind teams that competed in the Regional Tournament on March 2 in Berwick are headed to the State Finals — all on first-place wins.

This year’s contending teams from WASD were represented by Cochran Primary School, Curtin Intermediate School, Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School, Williamsport Area Middle School and Williamsport Area High School. 

Those advancing to the State Finals are:

• Curtin Intermediate: First Place, Division II, “Opening Night Antics,” coached by Amy Harpster and Kelly Campbell. Team members: McKay Campbell, Hadley Diemer, Piper Fox, Alexander Frank, Haddie Harpster, and Charlie Vanaskie.
  
  
• Williamsport Area Middle School: First Place, Division II, “Rocking World Detour” coached by Adam Harpster, Amy Harpster and Melanie Vail. Team members:  Cooper Gutberlet, Brayden Harpster, Haddie Harpster, Alex Vail and Ben Whitnack.

• Williamsport Area High School: First Place, Division III, “Opening Night Antics,” coached by Spring Moore and Kendra Reeder. Team Members: Ava Carter, Cooper Gutberlet, Asher McClelland, Faye Moore, Mason Robinson and Daniel Turner.

“This year’s group of students was a blend of new faces and returning team members,” said Williamsport Area High School teacher Spring Moore, who serves as the district’s OM coordinator. “It’s always exciting to watch how the kids showcase their creativity to uniquely and with innovation develop a solution using dedication and teamwork. They should all be very proud for representing our district so well.”

While they competed, the following teams will not advance to the State Finals:

• Cochran Primary School: First Place in the primary group (which does not advance), “The Night Life,” coached by Bryn Allen, Spring Moore and Kat Walter. Team Members: Freya Allen, Felix Fisher, Flynn Moore, Lucas Morrow, Anneliese Walter and Cameron Walter.

• Hepburn-Lycoming Primary School: Fourth Place, Division I, “Rocking World Detour,” coached by Kate McDermott Paredes and Kendra Reeder. Team members: Brantley Bankert, Owen Berger, Timbre Darrow, Addyson Harrison, Gabe Harer and Layla Harer.

The state tournament is scheduled for April 6 at Pocono Mountain School District’s East Campus.

OM teams from WASD have been successful at the programs regional and state levels, having earned coveted spots at the World Final competitions for the last nine consecutive years.
Odyssey of the Mind is a competition that blends creativity, engineering and teamwork. It is 100 percent student-directed, with adult coaches acting as guides. For more information, or to review synopses of this year’s program problems, visit www.odysseyofthemind.com.

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