SOMERS, N.Y. - Somers is known for success in many areas, especially athletics. “We’re really good at sports,” said Kerry Kelly. But according to the advisor of one particularly talented group of students, achievement in Somers extends far beyond the playing field.
The Brilliant Bros recently won the Destination Imagination New York State title and will travel to Kansas City from May 21–24 to compete in the Global Finals Tournament.
The team — Adam Cherif, Eddie Herald, Jakob Kelly, Dakarai Lacey, Brendan Mallamud, Joey McKenna, and James Oldis — formed in November and selected the Unforgettable Scientific Challenge from eight possible categories.
“They had to research the science of human memory and how humans encode, store, retrieve, and visualize information,” Kelly explained.
The boys began meeting weekly, quickly developing chemistry as a group. “First, they brainstormed ideas and had to do research on the concept,” Kelly said.
From there, the students became writers, engineers, and performers. They created a script and built an elaborate set centered around the idea that smell is the sense most strongly linked to memory.
“In the opening scene, the grandfather has an orange,” Kelly said, explaining that the scent triggers memories of a hidden treasure.
Inspired by the “Proust Effect,” the team constructed a cave and used ultraviolet lighting effects to deliver a heartfelt ending. “In the cave, they discover that friendship is the true treasure,” Kelly said.
By January, the storyline was complete, and the team shifted its focus to construction and rehearsals ahead of the regional competition in March at Somers High School, where the Brilliant Bros placed second.
“They were so excited because we’re a new team and had no expectations of advancing,” Kelly said.
Rather than settling after regionals, the team continued refining its presentation. “They encourage you to enhance the presentation, so they added more elements,” she said.
At the state competition in Binghamton, the upgrades paid off. The Brilliant Bros again placed second, earning a spot at Globals.
“Now it’s all on a truck to Kansas City,” Kelly said of the team’s props and materials.
The experience has also pushed the students beyond the competition itself. As part of ongoing fundraising efforts, the boys have handled presentations and outreach on their own.
“They did the presenting. They talked to store owners and represented themselves,” Kelly said.
Beyond raising money, Kelly believes the process has given the students something even more valuable.
“It gave them a lot of confidence,” she said.
The fundraising effort, however, is still ongoing, and Kelly hopes the community will help the team reach the finish line.
“They’re representing the town on a global stage,” Kelly said. “It’s important for their development and something they can bring back to Somers.”
To donate, scan the QR code accompanying this article or visit gofund.me/11c4059c0
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