LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Hello! My name is Lea D’Angelo, and I’m the Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This will be my fourth year on staff and second serving as an Editor-in-Chief.
The ODYSSEY is a student-produced news organization that operates on a hybrid model, meaning all students produce work for our newsmagazine, website and social media. Our purpose is to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School and local Athens community. The program provides students with the skills to do so through rigorous training and handson teaching.
Throughout their time in the program, students are given many opportunities to explore various aspects of journalism. They will have the chance to interview prominent members of the CCHS and Athens communities and write stories ranging from editorials and blogs to breaking news and product reviews, as well as exploring other journalistic forms, such as photography, broadcasting, podcasting, designing and creating multimedia elements for all platforms.
will continue to engage in a variety of storytelling forms, from sports writing to broadcast and podcasting.
After completing JI, students join the Production staff, where they will work with members of their sections and respective editors to produce content for the ODYSSEY’s newsmagazine, website, YouTube and social media platforms.
All of this begins with a solid foundation, which is built in the Journalism I class.
It is essential that students stay on top of all deadlines and assignments and communicate with their facilitators, editors and our adviser, Mr. Ragsdale, if something is preventing them from doing so. Production and JI students are expected to attend Extended Learning time each Tuesday and Thursday from 3:35 to 5:30 p.m. and attend monthly weekend workdays. Room 231 will also be open to students on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 7:30 a.m. for those with after-school scheduling conflicts. These times are not only opportunities to complete work but to bond with fellow students.
All of this begins with a solid foundation, which is built in the Journalism I class, which is largely made up of freshmen stepping into the program for the first time.
JI serves as an introduction to the ODYSSEY, giving students a taste of the many aspects of journalism. In the first semester, students will participate in lessons on professional communication, the law and ethics of journalism, interviewing skills and the basics of different news and opinion writing through a mix of presentations and hands-on activities led by student facilitators and
Students in both the JI and Production classes will be invited to attend state, regional and national journalistic conferences. During these field trips, students will have opportunities to learn from experts in the field of journalism and bond with their classmates and other student journalists outside of the ODYSSEY. They will also participate in on-site competitions to apply the skills they’ve learned and strengthen programmatic bonds. These field trips are often a highlight of the year and a great way to bring JI and Production together!
I am so excited to meet the incoming JI students and begin working with this year’s Production staff! I can’t wait to see how each of you will build a path within the program, and I am looking forward to making it a great year! O
Mr. David Ragsdale. During the second semester, students
LAYOUT AND PACKAGING BY EMLYN MCKINNEY
Above: OPENING DOORS: Members of the ODYSSEY Media Group Production Staff, Journalism I class and iliad Literary-Art Magazine pose at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association’s Spring Workshop and Awards at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education on March 18. News Staffer Jack Rumfelt found the conference, one of his first, to be eye-opening. “I thought that GSPA was a good introduction to the journalism world,” Rumfelt said. “I learned about photography, social media and writing in general, which I feel like opened my mind to more
Photo by Grady Dunston
BY LEA D’ANGELO Editor-in-Chief
FROM THE STAFF
MZÉE PAVLIĆ
Broadcast Editor
I never enjoyed writing in middle school, but this lessened in the Journalism I class, and my sophomore year gave me an appreciation for journalistic writing. Whether it was my coverage of the school walkout or my story on the Clarke Middle School solar panels, the stories I wrote made me find writing more enjoyable. This program’s somewhat intense nature allows me to see aspects of my process that are working and aspects that aren’t. Being able to improve my work ethic and processes in ODYSSEY will very much help me later in life.
CESIA MARTINEZ Outreach and Alumni Coordinator
Because of ODYSSEY, I learned how to write experience-based stories and other articles. Being in ODYSSEY also gave me the opportunity to work on public speaking and talking to people I wasn’t familiar with. I have seen improvement from my Journalism I year to my junior year, and I am committed to improving my writing skills, as well as leadership. I don’t have as much experience as a leader, but I am willing to show the younger students that they can get through a hard class like ODYSSEY and also achieve their goals in the program.
What I love about this organization is how we are not only given the opportunity to make mistakes, but also the opportunity to learn and grow from them.
SASHA BARKAN News Editor
To me, ODYSSEY represents an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself and to build mentorship relationships that allow me to grow and to be a part of others’ growth. ODYSSEY was the first thing in my life that I had to fight to do well in, with deadlines and story organization proving difficult. But it was my relationships with my peers and facilitators that gave me the motivation and skills to get better. These experiences challenged the part of myself that wouldn’t try anything new for fear of failure, giving me a new appreciation for learning.
CHARLES CRAWFORD News Staffer
My time with the ODYSSEY Media Group has helped me discover a passion for writing I never realized I had. During the news writing unit, I enjoyed using my creativity and knowledge writing each of the components and seeing how they all came together to form a fully-fledged story. Although my final draft of this story was not great, I was able to learn and grow from my mistakes due to the feedback given by my facilitators. What I love about this organization is how we, as students, are not only given the opportunity to make mistakes, but also the opportunity to learn and grow from them.
Above: ARTS AND CRAFTS: Members of the 2025-26 Journalism I class pose at the OMG’s 2026 Valentine’s Celebration on Feb. 13 in Room 231. At the event, students ate doughnuts together before decorating Valentine’s Day hearts and taking photos. “The Valentine’s celebration is a great break from all of the journalistic work we do in the ODYSSEY,” Broadcast Editor Mzeé Pavlić said. “We get to spend a class period (making) arts and crafts and just connecting with our classmates. It’s a nice change of pace.” Photo by Valeria Blanco-Pirela
FUNDRAISERS
BY LEA D’ANGELO Editor-in-Chief
Since 2006, ODYSSEY and iliad staffers have volunteered to fundraise at University of Georgia football games in the fall to help earn money to support their respective programs.
However, this past fall, the guidelines concerning volunteering changed to no longer allow anyone under the age of 18 to volunteer. In the face of this, a group of OMG Booster Club members and other relatives of parents stepped up hugely, rallying together to work the stand each weekend and continue raising money to support students.
Last year, these parents raised upwards of $29,000 through this fundraiser. That money goes towards equipment, field trips and scholarship opportunities, as well as publishing event programs, trophies, t-shirts and much more. We could not continue to do the work we do without the support of these families.
This year, we are unfortunately facing the same restrictions and need help. Information about how to volunteer will be given at the Programmatic Information Session, held in mid-August. Rides, volunteering shifts at the games, donations, anything helps, and we sincerely appreciate the support.
In addition to the UGA concession stand, members of the OMG Production and Journalism I class participate in the Marketing Project each fall. Students will learn principles of branding and marketing, and be graded on the effort they put into the project. Subscription sales go towards mailing the publication to our roughly 300 paid subscribers each year. Iliad patron donations help cover production costs and website upkeep.
Lastly, the ODYSSEY/iliad Booster Club raises money for the OMG and its activities, including conferences and the end-of-year banquet. The Booster Club is continually looking for new ideas and opportunities to fundraise in support of the program. Parents, guardians and other community members are encouraged to join.
All of these fundraising efforts play a major role in our program, and without them, the OMG would not be able to thrive.
WORKSHOP
BY LEA D’ANGELO Editor-in-Chief
Each year, the ODYSSEY Summer Workshop is held so that new JI students and upcoming Production students can familiarize themselves with the ODYSSEY and iliad
Additionally, it allows veterans to acclimate to their new positions in the program. Veteran editors will present programmatic goals, begin working with participants on interviewing and writing skills and immerse students in other skills needed for programmatic success. By the end of the workshop, participants should get a sense of the ODYSSEY before the first day of school.
This year, the annual summer workshop for all members of the ODYSSEY Production staff, Journalism I class and iliad Editorial Board will be held July 21-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 231 at Clarke Central High School. This three-day workshop is a great way to prepare students for the school year and meet other staffers in the program.
A signup form for meals will be sent out to ensure the students have snacks and beverages throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you all there!
PHOTOS FROM ODYSSEY ARCHIVES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is ODYSSEY a club or a class?
It’s both! There are two designated class periods for journalism at CCHS: firstyear students are enrolled in the Journalism I class, and returning students are enrolled in the Production class. Both classes allow students to be published on the ODYSSEY website, on the ODYSSEY’s social media platforms, in the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. In order to create content for these platforms and complete regular assignments, students are expected to attend after-school work sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:35 to 5:30 p.m. During these sessions, students from both classes have opportunities for staff bonding and to receive feedback on assignments.
What are some typical assignments for JI students?
First-year students enrolled in JI will be given a variety of assignments to learn about different styles of journalistic writing, photography, videography, multimedia, marketing and design. For example, students will engage in press conferences with teachers, coaches and students in the CCHS building before writing news and sports stories. Students will also write monthly mini reviews of various products, interview prominent members of the community for the annual Black History Month Package, work together on photo explorations and caption writing around the building, as well as creating other types of multimedia for various stories. The purpose of the introductory class is to offer students a variety of opportunities to get them familiar with the workflow of ODYSSEY so they can excel in the Production class if they choose to continue with the program.
Who should my JI student talk to if they have questions or need help?
If students or parents have major concerns, such as issues that impact a student’s overall experience, progress or grades, they should reach out directly to Mr. Ragsdale. He is available to help with important matters that go beyond the classroom. For everyday questions or minor concerns, such as about assignments or feedback, students should speak with the student facilitators assigned to the JI class. These facilitators are there to support JI students with daily tasks, offer guidance, and help with class-related questions.
For a first-year student, how big is the time committment?
Students are provided in-class time to complete assignments, but work outside of class will be necessary to meet deadlines and produce content for the program’s platforms. Deadlines will be provided well ahead of time, and students will be expected to keep track of them and communicate with their facilitators and Mr. Ragsdale if something is preventing them from completing an assignment. As mentioned previously, students will also be expected to attend after-school work sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with weekend workdays, the dates of which will be posted in advance.
What class materials are needed?
Students will need their school-provided laptop, a recording device (usually a phone) and writing materials. Students will need to keep track of materials given to them at the beginning of the year, such as their ODYSSEY Press Pass, for which they will be charged $8-10 if lost. Students will be provided with other items necessary to complete equipment-specific journalistic tasks, such as podcasting, broadcasting and photography, on a case-by-case basis. It is imperative that they keep track of these items and complete the proper procedures for checking them out, which will be explained at the beginning of the year.
What trips do students take?
Students in both classes have opportunities to attend several journalism conferences throughout the year. The Georgia Scholastic Press Conference (GSPA) is held for a single day in both the fall and spring on the University of Georgia campus and normally costs around $25 per student. The Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) conference takes place in early spring in Columbia, South Carolina, for four consecutive days, typically costing $300 per student. On top of these trips, which are open to all students in the program, Editorial Board members are also invited to attend the five-day National Scholastic Press Association fall conference (NSPA), which will take place in Orlando, Florida, this year, and is generally $1,000 per student. Scholarships are available for all conferences upon application. These events, with classes taught by experts in the field, are beneficial for both students’ growth as journalists and for staff bonding.
Above: STAFF FUN: ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Merren Hines (left) and Photography Editor Iliana Tejada (right) pose together at the OMG’s Secret Holiday Gift Giver on Dec. 17, 2025, in Room 231. The 2025
Senior Visuals Coordinator Emlyn McKinney’s
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BY EMLYN MCKINNEY
iliad Editor-in-Chief
Hello! My name is Emlyn McKinney, and I’m the Editor-in-Chief of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine at Clarke Central High School. The 2026-27 school year will be my fourth year serving in the ODYSSEY Media Group, but my first working in the iliad, and I am very excited to be stepping into this position.
For those unfamiliar with the iliad, it is the ODYSSEY’s sister publication and serves as a forum for the creative expression of the CCHS community. We do this by annually producing a magazine filled with their art and literary submissions, and by publishing stories on our website and social media platforms that highlight creative people in the CCHS and Athens communities. Like the ODYSSEY, the iliad is also considered a club, with monthly meetings where CCHS students are welcome to spend some time engaging in a variety of hands-on art activities.
The iliad’s team consists of a smaller, tightly-knit Editorial Board that collaborates throughout the school year to run the program. Our Editorial Board’s responsibilities include running the iliad’s club meetings, collecting submissions from CCHS’s staff, students and rising freshmen, organizing author visits, planning special community events and putting together the magazine.
Although the iliad and ODYSSEY usually act as separate programs, we come together during the annual Creative Writing Project. This project, facilitated by iliad editors, allows students in the ODYSSEY Production and Journalism I classes to spend two to three weeks exploring creative writing and visual art. Together, we experiment with everything from poetry and monologues to scripts and prose, our main goal being to expand the literary skills of the students in the ODYSSEY program. Pieces from this project are also considered for publication in the iliad magazine and website, and everybody published in the magazine is later invited to the iliad Creative Celebration, which is held at the beginning of the next school year.
The iliad serves as a forum for the creative expression of the CCHS community.
Some iliad members, such as myself, are also a part of the ODYSSEY Production class, where we spend time creating content for the iliad’s website, social media platforms and curating and laying out the magazine.
During the fall semester, the iliad Editorial Board spends most of our time reaching out to the CCHS community to collect submissions for the magazine and building connections. This includes delivering presentations to CCHS classrooms that inform them about our program, visiting our feeder middle schools and any other opportunities that arise.
During the spring semester, the EIC works with the iliad team to sort, select and compile the submissions we receive into a magazine. The design of the magazine depends on its theme, which is selected at the beginning of the school year and developed as we work.
To briefly recap the 2025-26 school year, the iliad Editorial Board worked throughout the year to develop its club meetings and outreach, which allowed the iliad to reach a broader audience in our school. The board also organized author and artist visits at CCHS, engaged in community outreach and attended state, regional and national scholastic journalism conferences. We also updated our social media platforms and website more regularly than ever before, with stories ranging from our favorite artists of the month to reviews to event coverages.
In May of 2026, we were proud to publish the 50th edition of the iliad, “Eudaimonia,” which we feel attests to the growth and creativity of the iliad and the CCHS community over the past 25 years. To commemorate this milestone, we hosted the 50th Volume Celebration in March, where iliad and ODYSSEY members, alumni, patrons, friends and family came together to recognize and celebrate the program’s history.
Our team is so excited to continue our work this year and further expand the program’s legacy. During the 2026-27 school year, we will continue to create content for our website and social media, collaborate with the CCHS community and produce the 51st edition of the iliad
I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the talented staff of the iliad this year, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I submit to the iliad?
Shortly after the school year begins, students can fill out an online submission form, available on our website and social media platforms. The student must upload a photo or document for their piece, and after submissions close in the second semester and pieces are reviewed by the iliad Editorial Board, students will be notified if their piece is selected for publication.
How are submissions decided upon?
Submissions are reviewed by all iliad Editorial Board members and are selected based on the theme of the magazine, the quality of the content and the piece’s ability to pair with other forms of creative work. The creators of the work are kept anonymous from the selection team until submissions are officially accepted for publication.
When is the magazine distributed?
The iliad is usually a 72-page magazine, published annually and mailed to patrons and senior contributors prior to the end of the school year. Distribution to the rest of the community takes place in the fall via personal pick-ups or mail. When finalized, the magazine will also be uploaded to the iliad’s website for anyone to access.
How can I apply to be an editor?
Applications for the iliad Editorial Board are released in the spring semester via Google Classroom. When they are posted, it is announced on iliad social media platforms and CCHS school announcements. Applicants will be required to complete a written application and complete a follow-up interview with members of the iliad Leadership Team and OMG adviser Mr. David Ragsdale.
Above: OLD FRIENDS AND NEW FAMILY: The 2026 iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board poses in the Clarke Central High School Competition
The 50th edition of the iliad was published in May 2026, also marking the 25th year of the program, representing
is very proud of how it has turned out,” former iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel said. “It was
creative spin on it.” Photo by Grady Dunston
