Write a commentTeams from each Oswego County school district embraced the cultural traditions of Halloween and Día de los Muertos during the first OCAY League competition of the 2025-26 school year, themed “Life, Death and Transformation.”
The event was held at the DEC Training Academy in Pulaski.
The competition encouraged students to examine deeper concepts of life, memory, symbolism and transformation. Teams participated in a full day of academic tasks and creative challenges designed to push critical thinking and collaboration.
The event kicked off with a three-part academic race to unlock the day’s full instructions. Teams then split up to tackle subject-based quizzes, a hands-on pumpkin carving challenge paired with an original written story, and a closing challenge that could only be unlocked by completing a transformation puzzle.
Every team did an amazing job, but the team from Mexico took first place, comprised of members Emma Belfield, Noah Gagnier, Jessica Hill, Angelina Nguyen-Truong, Madalynn Tunis, Avery Willis, Christopher Wood, Ethan Workman and Hailey Workman. The team from Central Square came in second place with Pulaski taking third.
Creative components of the competition were judged by Katie Vecchiarelli and Kathy Pickard, both retired high school English teachers from Baldwinsville. “We are extremely impressed and blown away by the creativity and depth demonstrated throughout the challenge,” said Vecchiarelli. Both teachers expressed enthusiasm about returning to support future OCAY League events.
OCAY League, which stands for Oswego County Academic Youth League, hosts four themed academic events each year. These events provide opportunities for area students to explore complex topics, embrace teamwork, showcase their strengths and compete against peers from across the county. Students are selected by their advisors and teachers based on skills needed for each competition.
