OCAY League proves beneficial for PACS students

by Submitted article | February 25, 2016 7:42 am

Created to rival the competitiveness found in athletics, the Oswego County Academic League (OCAY) has provided high school students in the Pulaski District with a platform to showcase academic skills through a wide variety of competitive events.

The contests are structured so that teams of students from each district in the county meet in a central location on a designated day to compete in an academic exercise.

According to Sandra McCullough, coach of the PACS OCAY League team, competitions are not subject specific, but cover a variety of areas within the arts, humanities and sciences.

“Because each competition is unique, the team roster is not constant throughout the year,” said McCullough. “Therefore, a wide variety of students from a given school will participate in OCAY League throughout the competitive season.”

While McCullough is permitted to organize the logistics of the events, the students do not know anything about the tasks they will be asked to perform until they arrive at the competition site, something McCullough described as one of her favorite parts of OCAY League.

“My favorite time is during the first few moments after the parameters of the event have been laid out,” she said. “Students are stunned silent contemplating how this is all going to happen in the time allotted, then a chaotic burst of activity breaks out as the teams begin the process.”

In addition to being highly creative critical thinkers, the students also have to be exceptional analytical thinkers and strong team players, said McCullough. Effective division of labor, group synergy, strategy, time management, cool heads under pressure and sheer skill and knowledge all contribute to team success.

McCullough said she believes participating students benefit greatly from the competitions, noting OCAY League helps to build confidence, identify personal strengthens and weaknesses, demonstrates the power of collective work and showcases academic skills.

“Students are selected for participation in an OCAY League event based on teacher recommendations, academic standing, reputation for teaming skills, leadership, and ability to think critically and creatively. Selection is recognition of overall excellence and an honor for students to receive,” said McCullough.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/ocay-league-proves-beneficial-for-pacs-students/

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