Summer Mailer 2023 - Iliad/ODYSSEY

Rising seniors Managing Editor Maya Clement and Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell

with 2022-2023 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Visuals Coordinator Lucas Donnelly at Clarke Central High School to show off the National High School Journalism Convention in St. Louis, Missouri in Nov. Seventh Place Best of Show award for Volume 20, Issue 1 of the newsmagazine. “Being recognized for the Best of Show award reminded me of the impact our work has, not just on the CCHS community, but in Athens and nationally, as well,” Harwell said. “It also reminded me of why put so much effort into ODYSSEY and the true reach that our program has, which feels incredible.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Hello! My name is Molly Harwell, a senior and the returning Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine. This will be my fourth year in the ODYSSEY Media Group and my second year serving as Editorin-Chief. Being a part of ODYSSEY has truly changed my high school experience for the better and molded me into the person I am today.

storytelling, reviews, podcasts and broadcasts. By the end of the year, students will learn to master ODYSSEY and AP Style, as well as how to market to target audiences, how to create quality content of all varieties, how to follow ethical journalism practices, and more.

I look forward to furthering the legacy of this incredible program by working with Journalism One and Production students to produce quality content for the Athens community.

The ODYSSEY Media Group is a student-run news organization that operates as a convergence model, where student journalists produce a range of content that is published via our newsmagazine, social media, YouTube and on our website.

The purpose of the program is to inform, entertain, and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community. The ODYSSEY provides students the opportunity to become journalists through rigorous hands-on training.

Students will interview stakeholders in the CCHS and Athens community, write a variety of story genres from breaking news to editorials, learn how to create multimedia and quality designs, and explore other areas of journalism such as broadcast, podcast, and photography.

Throughout the learning process, students will learn how to work within a team and grow personally and professionally with the support of the Production staff.

BY MOLLY HARWELL Editor-in-Chief O

Being a part of the OMG requires a solid foundation, which begins with Journalism One. J1 will challenge student journalists and push them outside of their comfort zones in order to foster growth. During the fall, they will engage in lessons on professional communication, marketing and branding, news and opinion writing. By the spring, students will immerse themselves in digital

odysseynewsmagazine.com

The class requires students to stay on top of their work, as we often rely on each other to get work done. This hard work does pay off however, and will leave students with many important lessons and skills even after high school.To support their work, like Production students, J1 students are expected to attend after-school sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will have to create time outside of class to complete assignments.

J1is not only facilitated by Mr. Ragsdale, but also by veteran members of the ODYSSEY program who will help provide guidance and mentorship. After Journalism One, if they choose to continue in the program, students will apply to join the Production staff and create content for the newsmagazine and website within their staff position.

Throughout the year, members of the Journalism One and Production classes will be invited to journalism conferences in order to gain a better understanding of journalism and learn from professionals in the field, as well as form connections with other student journalists.

Students will attend sessions on a plethora of topics, ranging from AP Style to broadcast journalism to hosting sports media days. Additionally, we’ll have students presenting sessions, as well as competing in on-site competitions as they bond with fellow staff members.

I am very excited to meet all of the incoming Journalism One students this summer and to begin working with this year’s Production staff. We can’t wait to see how you will create your own individual path within the program, and we are looking forward to a great year!

Featured: LEAVING A MARK: (From left to right)

pose

Photo by Aza Khan

LAYOUT AND PACKAGING BY MOLLY HARWELL

Being a part of the OMG requires a solid foundation, which begins with Journalism One.

FROM THE STAFF

CIYANA RAMOS Journalism I student

In the beginning, I joined ODYSSEY to make friends and become more confident in the idea of constructive criticism, but now it’s so much more than that. Now that I think back and ask myself, “Why did I join ODYSSEY?” it’s because of the family and community you share with the people in this program. The reason I choose to stay is because of the community I’ve built with the staffers and the other J1 kids, and knowing staying in this program will give me the ability to grow further as a person and develop new skills I never had the chance to delve into.

ISABELLE DUNCAN Social Media Staffer

I joined ODYSSEY my second semester of my junior year because I was very interested in the kind of work I’ve seen in the magazines throughout my time in high school, as well as the opportunities ODYSSEY members are given. I have found an incredibly talented community here at Clarke Central within OMG and I am very grateful for the program helping me prepare for my future. Although I have only been in the program for less than five months, I have learned so much from my peers and made the most memorable friendships.

MA’KIYAH THRASHER Journalism I student

There were multiple reasons why I joined ODYSSEY, but the main reason was just so I could try something new. My whole life I was never a fan of writing, but ODYSSEY changed my perspective about writing. With help from the facilitators, I became more comfortable with writing and actually started to enjoy it. Joining ODYSSEY helped me be more communicative and confident with being around people. ODYSSEY is more than a class you take, ODYSSEY is like family.

JESSE DANTZLER News Staffer

When I was in 8th grade, I planned on applying to the ODYSSEY because I felt that online learning took the vital social aspect away from school, one that I needed. There were a ton of other useful skills that I knew this program would teach me: effective communication, time management, and journalistic writing. Currently, the program serves as a method for me to hone each of these skills to the highest standard, and use them for a worthy cause - sheding light and reporting on both the good things and the bad things across Athens.

Above: ONE BIG FAMILY: Members of the ODYSSEY Media Group, iliad literary-art magazine and Journalism class pose for a group photo at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s “Process Over Product” convention in Columbia, S.C. on March 4. For OMG adviser David Ragsdale, who has brought CCHS students to SIPA since 2006, the trip is challenging but rewarding for the OMG students. “I saw a great deal of mentorship with big kids working to help the younger kids. tried to put together teams based around big kids and their experience, allowing them the space to be leaders,” Ragsdale said. “There were various points when the J1 kids tried to push past their comfort zone and get to know the big kids, (but there were also) some very pleasant moments where the J1 kids just had some downtime with each other and that was great to see.”

Photo by Thatcher Rotenberry

FUNDRAISERS WORKSHOP

From 2006 until the advent of COVID-19, the ODYSSEY/iliad staffers have volunteered to fundraise at UGA football games in the fall. As such, staffers are asked to volunteer at five (5) games total during the season to staff a concessions booth at Sanford Stadium. Parent volunteers are also need to supervise during the games and transport volunteers to and from the stadium.

BY AUDREY ST. ONGE Business Manager

As the year comes to a close, students and parents who volunteer will be recognized with prizes at the annual ODYSSEY/iliad End-of-theYear Banquet.

The importance of these games cannot be overstated. Historically, the OMG has raised around $15,000 through this fundraiser each year. That money is used for equipment, field trips and scholarship opportunities, as well as the production and publication of the magazines and upkeep of the website. All OMG members benefit from this revenue.

Additionally, students will engage in the marketing project each fall semester. Students will learn the principles of branding, and marketing towards their personal spheres of influence. While students are not graded for selling subscriptions, they are graded on marketing their publications to enhance community reach. Sales from subscriptions go towards mailing the publication to our subscribers - roughly 250 paid subscribers each year. Additionally, iliad patron donations help cover production costs.

ODYSSEY/ iliad Booster Club is continually looking for new ideas and opportunities to fundraise to support the program. All parents and gaurdians are encouraged to join. Traditionally, the group has hosted a silent auction each December to raise money to support the students, which will require parent volunteers. All of these fundraisers play a major role in our program and without them, the OMG would not be able to thrive.

BY MOLLY HARWELL Editor-in-Chief

ach year, the ODYSSEY summer journalism workshop is held so that new J1 students and upcoming produciton students can familiarize themselves with the flow of ODYSSEY.

Likewise, the workshop allows returning veterans to acclimate to new roles within the program. By the end of the workshop, participants are able to see what the program is like before the school year starts.

Our veteran editors will present programmatic goals, begin working with participants on their interviewing and writing skills and immerse students in the skills needed for programmatic success.

Students will engage in team bonding, writing and interviewing practice and other fun activities to help acclimate them with the program and other students before the school year begins.

This year, the annual summer workshop will be held on July 24-26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 231 at Clarke Central High School. We will have breakfast, an afternoon snack, lunch as a group and plenty of breaks throughout the day to get to know each other.

All members of the ODYSSEY Production staff and Journalism I students are expected to attend the workshop. iliad Editorial Board members are also expected to attend to help acclimate themselves to new teammates and the workflow. This three-day workshop is a great way to prepare for the school year and meet other staffers in the program.

A sign-up form for meals will be sent out to ensure the students have snacks and beverages to fuel them throughout each day of the workshop. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

odysseynewsmagazine.com

PHOTOS FROM ODYSSEY ARCHIVES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is ODYSSEY a club or a class?

It’s both! There are two journalism periods at Clarke Central High School. First-year students are enrolled into the introductory course, Journalism 1, and returning students are enrolled in the Production class. Both classes give the opportunity to be published on the media group’s platforms including the website, in the newsmagazine, on our social media and in the literary-art magazine. In order to create content for these platforms, students are expected to attend after-school workdays on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30. Snacks will be provided. During these work sessions, there’s a laid back atmosphere and students from the two classes interact with each other to bond. Likewise, these sessions offer a great opportunity to receive feedback on assignments.

What trips do students take?

Journalism students have the opportunity to attend several conferences during the year, two of them being at the University of Georgia. The Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) conference is held in the fall and in the spring for a single day and normally costs around $25, varying year to year. The Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) conference is in the spring in Columbia, South Carolina and is held for three-consecutive days -- this cost is generally $300 per student. Addionally, Editorial Board members will be invited to attend a national conference; the cost is typically $1,000. Scholarships are available for all conferences. These events are beneficial to students’ growth with classes taught by distinguished journalism advisers and program leaders from across the country.

What are some typical assignments for J1 students?

First-year students will be assigned a variety of tasks to learn about the different styles of journalistic writing, multimedia, videography, photography, marketing and design. For example, students will have opportunities to craft blogs, profiles, news stories, podcasts and engage in photo explorations. The entire purpose of the introductory class is to offer students a variety of journalism opportunities to get them familiar and comfortable with the ODYSSEY production workflow so they can excel in the Production class if they choose to continue with the program.

What class materials are needed?

Students will need their school-provided laptop, a recording device for interviews (usually a phone, but their computer will work), pens, a binder and looseleaf paper daily. Students will also need to keep track of materials given to them at the beginning of the year, which include their press pass and their ODYSSEY manual or stylebook. The student will be charged $8-10 for these items if lost. Students will be provided other items necessary to complete journalistic tasks such as podcasting, broadcasting or photography on a case-by-case basis.

For a first-year student, how big is the time committment?

Each staffer will be given time in class to complete assignments, but work outside of class will be necessary to produce the best content for all of our platforms. Deadlines for all assignments will be given well in advance and students will be provided with a helpful calendar. Students are expected to attend after-school workdays on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and along with that we have weekend work days that are posted in advance. Food will be provided here, as well. There is a time commitment when a student enrolls in journalism, however the ODYSSEY provides means to manage with that commitment.

Who should my J1 student talk to if they have questions or need help?

Communication is key in ODYSSEY, and one of our major ideals is to not suffer in silence. If a parent of a student has a concern, they should consult Mr. Ragsdale. However, for day-to-day questions and help, they should talk to student facilitators that will be in class to cater to the needs of the J1 students.

Above: CELEBRATING SUCCESS: The ODYSSEY Media Group poses for a picture at the University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education at the conclusion of the 2023 Georgia Scholastic Press Association Workshop and Awards Banquet on March 27. While on site, students from across the state attended three rounds of sessions, engaged in a keynote speech and took part in an awards ceremony. “I enjoyed the workshop. It was an educational experience that will send our seniors off into the real world with valuable resources and for our younger kids, we’ll be able to implement new strategies with fidelity in our upcoming work,” former Visuals Coordinator and Journalism Facilitator Lucas Donnelly, a 2023 graduate said. Photo by Aza Khan

Featured: BONDING: Members of the iliad literary-art magazine pose together to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Room 231 on Feb. 14. Valentine’s Day inspired ODYSSEY and iliad members to come together and celebrate with cupcakes and heart-shaped love letters for friends and family. “The iliad and ODYSSEY Valentine’s Day celebration was a very good way to prioritize mental health in class.” Salai Diekumpuna said. “It was a great way to relax and talk with everyone during a time that our work started to progress.”

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

BY OLIVIA HENDERSHOT iliad Editor-in-Chief

ello! My name is Olivia Hendershot and I am the upcoming Editor-InChief of the iliad literary-art magazine at Clarke Central High School. To give a brief introduction, I started my journalism career as a Journalism One student from 2021-2022, then served as the iliad Social Media Coordinator from 2022-2023. I’ve attended state, regional and national conferences to support my growth in scholastic press. Based on these experiences, I‘m thrilled to start the new year!

For those who may not know, the iliad is an annual magazine published in the spring that showcases creative works from the CCHS community.

Our team consists of an Editorial Board, a group of editors who work behind the scenes to compile and create the magazine, and the club, which meets monthly and provides a safe space for any student at CCHS to spend time creating art or writing.

In addition, A handful of iliad editors participate in the OMG Production class to create content and curate the iliad magazine while the ODYSSEY students work to make theirs.

During the fall semester, the iliad Editorial Board focuses on reaching out to as many students in the CCHS community as possible to facilitate submissions to our magazine. During the spring semester, the Editor-in-Chief works with the team to compile all of the selected pieces into a magazine. Each edition of the iliad also has a theme that influences the design carried

odysseynewsmagazine.com

throughout the magazine.

In addition to having several editors in the Production Class, the iliad’s involvement with the ODYSSEY Media Group also includes facilitating the annual Creative Writing Project, which is a two-week-long project that both ODYSSEY staffers, iliad members, and Journalism One students complete.

We incorporate poetry and prose writing, as well as monologue and script writing to expand the literary skills of the students, and potentially feature CWP pieces in our magazine and website

To give a brief recap of the 2022-2023 school year, our team executed a re-design of various iliad materials, which included new submission posters, iliad stickers, and business cards. On our website, the Editorial Board posts updates on the work that the iliad is doing throughout the year, profiles on artists in the community, featured pieces from previous editions of the iliad, and more.

Our team is excited to continue our progress this year with expanding the content on our website. In May of 2023, we were proud to publish the 22nd edition of the magazine since its refounding, flourish, which features a range of art and writing pieces from CCHS students, faculty, and rising 9th graders from feeder middle schools.

I am thrilled to once again be a part of the iliad this year and I look forward to working with all students in the OMG and continuing the progress of our program.

Photo by Aza Khan

LAYOUT AND PACKAGING BY MOLLY HARWELL

HThe iliad is an annual magazine published in the spring that showcases creative works from the CCHS community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I submit to the iliad?

To submit, students are required to fill out an online submission form that will be available on our website and social media in August. If a student is submitting photography or written work, there is a space available to attach work. Physical work, such as art or sculptures, will be photographed or scanned. In order to do so, please contact iliadlt@odysseynewsmagazine.net

How are submissions decided upon?

Submissions are reviewed by the members of the Editorial Board and selected based on the theme of the magazine, the quality of the content, the grade level, and the piece’s ability to pair with other forms of creative work.

When is the magazine distributed?

The iliad is published annually and mailed to patrons and senior contributors in May prior to the end of the school year. Distribution to the rest of the community takes place in the fall with personal pick-ups or by mail. Additionally, when finalized, the magazine is uploaded to issuu for everyone with the link to access.

How can I apply to be an editor?

Applications to be a part of the iliad Editorial Board are released in March via Google Classroom and are announced on social media platforms and the CCHS school announcements. Applicants will be required to complete a written application and complete a follow-up interview with members of LT and Mr. Ragsdale. Positions are decided on and released in May via email.

Above: SIPA TIME: Three members of the iliad literary-art magazine display the Scroggins Award, best of show, in the Marriott Columbia Hotel for a photo during the Southern Interscholastic Press Association annual awards show March. 4. The SIPA convention allowed iliad members to learn from educational sessions, participate in competitions and mingle with members from other school publications. “SIPA was

really fun. I go to know a lot of

people on both the ODYSSEY and iliad staff better,” Maya Shrivastav said. “I was really glad for the opportunity to go because it was very valuable staff bonding experience, just getting to get to know the staff in an outside-ofschool setting.” Photo by Aza Khan

Mailer contents compiled by Molly Harwell, Ollie Hendershot, Audrey St.Onge and David Ragsdale

Mailer contents edited by Molly Harwell and David Ragsdale

Mailer designed by Molly Harwell, Audrey Enghauser