The League is based on the premise that academics merit a standing comparable with athletics and music. The four yearly competitions emphasize academic excellence, team building, problem-solving and creative production. Teams range from 6-15 high school students who do not know the nature of the competition until arrival at the site on the day of the event. The league coaches create and organize the competitions and choose the team members based on the specific criteria of the events. Because the events vary so greatly in their composition, the teams change each time, allowing for a greater range of students to participate throughout the year.
Qualified individuals judge the events, independent of the school setting.
At the end of the year trophies are awarded to the team that has accumulated the most points. The first competition this year was held at the New York Power Authority where students were challenged to compose a list of 40 items to be included in a hypothetical time capsule to be opened in the year 2500. The second competition, hosted in the G. Ray Bodley High School in Fulton, focused on the creation of a video taped TV commercial, a radio ad, bumper stickers and posters to educate the public about a current health issue. The third event entitled An Evening of Intrigue, also housed at NYPA, involved the students in solving mysteries of varying degrees of difficulty. OCAY sincerely appreciates the generosity and commitment of many area businesses and community organizations.