Q&A: Alumna Alexa Friedman By Dalace Thomas ODYSSEY Alumna Alexa Friedman speaks on her experience in the program and how it has affected her.
What years were you on the ODYSSEY staff?
2009-2012
On the right: WE ARE FAMILY: The 2010-11 ODYSSEY staff poses at the Not So Silent Night fundraiser put on by the Iliad/ODYSSEY Booster Club.
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During your time on staff, what was your ODYSSEY experience like?
When I was on staff, ODYSSEY was my home at Clarke Central. I remember taking everything very seriously and working hard. But when we cut loose, we had a blast. I would get to school early for editors’ meetings and get some work done. And then I would spend lunch in the ODYSSEY room. And then I would stay late after school and sometimes on weekends. Our staff was always really close.
When was a time where you felt your first sense of accomplishment or your first downfall on staff?
I wrote several articles about very personal topics during my first year on staff. I remember writing about my Judaism and about losing my mother. And seeing those stories next to my name in print taught me the power of identity and the many sides of editorial journalism. Left: GETTING PERSONAL: Viewpoints editor Alexa Friedman wrote an article about what it is like being Jewish. This blog was published on ODYSSEY Online. Photo by Dalace Thomas
ABOVE: WHAT I’M FINA BLOG ABOUT: Viewpoints editor Alexa Friedman wrote several blogs about her life events and opinions about the Clarke Central High School community. Photos by Dalace Thomas
What are you doing career wise now? Do you think ODYSSEY influenced that? I graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder in May 2016 with degrees in journalism and painting. I moved to New York after graduation to pursue a career in journalism. I work for the local New York ABC news station in New York City, which is the No. 1 local station in the country. I run the teleprompter, write articles for the web, conduct phone interviews, create and share social media content, find news stories and look at social media trends. Being on the ODYSSEY staff definitely influenced my career goals. I participated in several extracurricular activities in high school, but ODYSSEY is the only one that inspired my career. To this day I call and email (English department co-chair and ODYSSEY Media Group adviser David Ragsdale) when I feel like I've accomplished anything journalistic to thank him again for making me love journalism.
What was one of your favorite memories about ODYSSEY? Photo by Izzie Atkinson
It's hard to choose one memory from ODYSSEY because we had so many great stories, traditions and inside jokes on staff. But one thing that comes to mind is when a bunch of us were at the tail end of a late work night in the ODYSSEY classroom. It was probably close to midnight, and we were all stressed about getting that issue done in time to send it off. Caleb Hayes and I made a mask out a greasy paper bag from Taco Stand, and everyone took turns trying it on. Caleb made everyone laugh when we needed it most by wearing this nasty bag on his head. It's a random memory, but there were so many little moments like that on staff that made our experience as special as it was.
Above: LIZARD’S THICKNESS? Then sophomores Alexa Friedman and Caleb Hayes attended their first Southern Interscholastic Press Association trip in February 2010. The two collaborated on staff together for three years.
How has ODYSSEY affected your present life?
Learning and practicing journalism at such an advanced level in high school created a strong foundation for what I do now. I know I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't spent three years in Room 114 at CCHS. ODYSSEY taught me how to fact check at all costs, which is especially important in today's political climate when journalism is a controversial word and facts are often in question. Also, I still keep in touch with Ragsdale, and he still supports my dreams without question and even encourages me to dream bigger.
Do you think you/your life would be different if you didn't have your ODYSSEY experience? To the left: GOOD OLE’ TIMES The 2010-11 ODYSSEY staff jokes around with each other for a group photo during NSPA in Kansas City, Missouri.
To the left: YOU GOT A FRIEND IN ME ODYSSEY staffers Alexa Friedman and Mollie Sherman, put on big smiles on the bus ride to SIPA. Photos courtesy of ODYSSEY archives
Absolutely. ODYSSEY made me love journalism.
If you could give any advice to a current staff member, what would it be? My advice is to work hard and play hard. Push yourself to be a leader because you get out of ODYSSEY what you put into it. A lot of my best memories from high school happened during my time on staff. Also, I know he can be tough and intimidating sometimes, but Ragsdale is an amazing teacher. Don't take it for granted that you have someone in your corner who genuinely wants to see you succeed and will go to great lengths to help you do that. Also, have fun! The best part of ODYSSEY is often the laughter it creates. Don't be afraid to be yourself and joke around.
To the left: A BOND LIKE GLUE A few of the 2012 ODYSSEY staff members pose with ODYSSEY advisor David Ragsdale. (from left to right: Mollie Sherman, Porter Mcleod, David Ragsdale and Alexa Friedman).
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