like GSPA show us more of journalism, and what it’s like outside of Clarke Central High School. It’s a good experience because we get to learn from other schools and how other programs do things,”
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
BY LIZA LARSON
Print Editor-in-Chief
BY LEA D’ANGELO
Digital Editor-in-Chief
Hello! My name is Liza Larson and I am the upcoming Print Editor-in-Chief, and my name is Lea D’Angelo and I’m the upcoming Digital Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group. This will be our third year on staff and our first year serving as CoEditor-in-Chief.
As an introduction to what the program is, ODYSSEY is a student-run news organization that operates on a convergence model, with students producing content for our newsmagazine, website and social media.
Our purpose is to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community. The program provides students with the skills necessary to become journalists with rigorous, hands-on training.
What does that mean? Students will interview CCHS and Athens community members, write stories ranging from reviews on new products to breaking news, create multimedia and quality designs for all platforms and explore other journalistic forms, such as broadcasts, podcasts and photography. Throughout, they will develop skills in teamwork and professionalism with the support of the Production staff and its faculty adviser, Mr. David Ragsdale.
the Production class has defined roles, JI acts as a sampler for all possibilities within the ODYSSEY to see what you are most passionate about.
JI requires students to keep up with all assignments, as completion is necessary to success in the class. This hard work does pay off however and will leave students with important lessons and lifelong skills. To support their work, like Production students, JI students are expected to attend after-school sessions until 5:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, attend quarterly weekend workdays and create time outside of class to complete assignments.
JI is not only facilitated by Mr. Ragsdale but also by veteran members of the ODYSSEY program who will provide guidance and mentorship.
After completing JI, students who choose to stay in the program will join the Production staff, where they will work with other members of their section to create content for all of the publication‘s platforms including the newsmagazine, website and social media.
Being a part of the OMG requires a solid foundation, which begins with Journalism I.
Being a part of the OMG requires a solid foundation, which begins with Journalism I.
As a part of the JI class, students are introduced to many facets of journalism. In the fall term, they receive lessons on professional communication, marketing and branding and writing. In the spring, students engage in other forms of storytelling like photography, videography, podcasting and multimedia. By the end of the year, students will master AP and ODYSSEY style, how to create quality content across platforms, how to follow ethical journalism practices and much more.
Throughout the year, JI students and Production staff members will be invited to attend state, regional and national journalistic conferences. These field trips are opportunities for students to learn from experts in the field and form connections with other student journalists. At the conferences, students attend a wide variety of sessions, with topics ranging from photography to tips about journalistic ethics. They will also take part in on-site competitions to put their learned skills to the test and bond with fellow staff members.
We are so excited to meet all of the incoming JI students 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!
Whereas
LAYOUT AND PACKAGING BY LIZA LARSON
Featured: LEARNING EXPERIENCE: ODYSSEY Media Group staffers, Journalism I students and members of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board pose at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association Spring Conference at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on March 24. OMG Variety Staffer Cesia Martinez has attended several conferences with the program. “Conferences
Martinez said. Photo by Grady Dunston
FROM THE STAFF
GILLIAN WILLIAMS
Outreach/Alumni Coordinator
I do ODYSSEY as a way to challenge myself and to get another career option for my life after high school. I at first had my doubts about getting in and being a good fit for the program but once I entered the class I felt proud of myself for doing something that challenged me. I do like exploring different news briefs to inform myself and others about current events in our community, our school, our city, and our nation. Overall, I do ODYSSEY for me to help myself and others.
EMLYN MCKINNEY News Editor
I am in the ODYSSEY Media Group because, although it is challenging, I have the freedom to write pieces about a multitude of topics, ranging from my personal experiences to news around the school. Having the opportunity of being published has brought me a lot of happiness because I can see my voice being heard and shared, which is something that I didn‘t have before. Being in the OMG has connected me to a very talented group of students who I learn from every single day, and I want to stay in order to keep striving, growing, and creating.
ANGEL TEJADA Journalism I Facilatator
My why in ODYSSEY is to teach the Journalism I students to become the next generation of ODYSSEY. Being able to teach these kids the ways of ODYSSEY and becoming the best they can before going into the Production class is my ultimate goal. I want to ensure they are ready, informed, and well versed in ODYSSEY protocols so little if no road blocks can come their way.
ELOISE LUKEN Variety Staffer
I joined ODYSSEY because I want to get more out of high school and it gives me the opportunity to learn more and increase skills that will help me. So far, this program has made me more comfortable with speaking in front of people and it has improved my social skills because it has given me more opportunities such as interviewing and speaking in front of people which has pushed me to overcome some of those fears.
Above: STAFF BONDING: Members of the 2024-25 Journalism I class pose during the ODYSSEY Media Group Valentine’s Day Celebration in Room 231 on Feb. 13. OMG Beat Editor Izzy Hammock has participated in several team-bonding celebrations this year.. “I think that the celebrations that we do in the ODYSSEY are really important to not only build community, but show appreciation for each other,” Hammock said. “With class celebrations, you get to slow down and take the time to truly appreciate your peers and express that appreciation in thoughtful ways, which makes it pretty special.”
Photo by Wyatt Meyer
FUNDRAISERS
ODYSSEY/ iliad staffers, since 2006, have volunteered to fundraise at UGA football games in the fall to help earn money to support their respective programs. In the upcoming fall, this tradition continues.
As such, age-eligible staffers are asked to volunteer at at least five (5) games total during the UGA football season to help staff a concession stand at Sanford Stadium. Parent volunteers are also needed to help supervise during the games and help transport volunteers to and from the stadium.
At the end of each year, students and parents who volunteer at the concession stand will be recognized with special prizes at the annual ODYSSEY/ iliad End-of-the-Year Banquet.
Last year the OMG raised upwards of $19,000 through this fundraiser. That money goes towards equipment, field trips and scholarship opportunities, as well as the production of the newsmagazine and upkeep of the website. All OMG members benefit from this revenue in some way or another.
Apart from the UGA concession stand, OMG students participate in the marketing project during the fall semester. Students will learn principles of branding and marketing while being 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.
The ODYSSEY/ iliad Booster Club raises money for the OMG and its activities, including conferences and the endof-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
Each year, the ODYSSEY summer workshop is held so that new JI students and upcoming Production students can familiarize themselves with the ODYSSEY program. Likewise, it allows veterans to acclimate to new positions in the program. By the end of the workshop, participants are able to see what the program is like before the start of the school year.
Our 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.
Students will engage in team bonding, writing and interviewing practice and other fun activities to help acclimate them before the school year begins.
This year, the annual summer workshop will be held July 21-23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room 231 at Clarke Central High School.
All members of the ODYSSEY Production staff and JI students are expected to attend. iliad Editorial Board members are also expected. This three-day workshop is a great way to prepare students for the school year and meet other staffers in the program. Production staffers are expected all three days and J1 students are only expected the last two.
A signup sheet 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!
BY PETER ATCHLEY Managing Editor
BY LIZA LARSON Print Editor-in-Chief
PHOTOS FROM ODYSSEY ARCHIVES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
years and enjoyed getting to engage in different aspects of journalism and multimedia. “Writing has always been something that I’ve enjoyed doing whereas things like photography and design were both new areas of interest, so being able to branch out through ODYSSEY has been really fun,” Gresham said. “I’ve especially enjoyed design and working on layouts because find it’s a lot more creative than rigid writing and more rewarding.”
Is ODYSSEY a club or a class?
It’s both! There are two designated class periods for journalism at CCHS: first-year students are enrolled in Journalism I and returning students are enrolled in the Production class. Both classes give students the opportunity to be published on the ODYSSEY website, in the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, as well as 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 3:45 to 5:30. 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 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 have the chance to craft profiles, reviews, podcasts and engage in photo exploration. 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 or progress—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, 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. By knowing who to contact and when students and families can ensure they get the right support at the right time.
For a first-year student, how big
is the time committment?
Students will be given some 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 ahead of time and students will be expected to keep track of them. 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, which they will be charged $8-10 for if lost. Students will be provided with other items necessary to complete journalistic tasks such as podcasting, broadcasting and photography on a case-to-case basis.
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 conference takes place in early spring in Columbia, South Carolina for three 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 National Scholastic Press Association fall conference (NSPA), which will take place in Nashville, TN in the fall of 2025 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: BRANCHING OUT: ODYSSEY Media Group Business Manager Mrren Hines (left) and Variety Staffer Eloise Luken (right) work in Room 231 on Sept. 13, 2024. OMG Viewpoints Editor Isabella Gresham has been in the program for two
Photo by Grady Dunston
BONDING: Members of the 2024-2025 iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editorial Board stand together in the Clarke Central High School courtyard. iliad Editor-in-Chief Margo McDaniel served as Writing Director for the 20242025 school year, and remarked on the importance of a literary magazine for a high school community. “Students get the chance to express themselves creatively in a public way, and have a platform to express themselves in a way they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise,” McDaniel said. “(The magazine) is kind of like a public display of the creative work of the school, which I think is really important for the community to see.”
Photo by Flannery Ragan
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Hello! My name is Margo McDaniel, and I am the upcoming Editor-in-Chief of the iliad Literary-Art Magazine at Clarke Central High School.
To give some background about my experience in the iliad, I have served as the Writing Director for both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, and I am so excited to be stepping up this coming year as Editor-in-Chief!
For those who may not know, the iliad is an annually published literaryart magazine that serves as a forum for the creative expression of the CCHS community by showcasing their creative work.
Our team is an Editorial Board, a tightly-knit group that collaborates all year to run the iliad program. The main work that our Editorial Board does is working throughout the year to create the magazine and run the iliad’s monthly club meetings, where CCHS students are welcome to come and spend some time creating art and creative writing.
Some iliad editors are also a part of the ODYSSEY Media Group production class, where they spend time creating content for the iliad’s website, social media platforms, and curating the magazine.
editors, allows students in the ODYSSEY production and Journalism 1 classes to spend two to three weeks exploring creative writing.
Through exploring various creative writing styles such as poetry, prose, monologues, and scripts, the goal of the CWP is 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; in other words, this opportunity to work alongside the ODYSSEY creates more submissions for the iliad magazine.
The iliad is an annually published literary-art magazine that serves as a forum for the creative expression of the CCHS community
During the fall semester, iliad editors dedicate their time to reaching out to the CCHS community to collect submissions for the magazine and build connections. This includes visiting CCHS classrooms and telling them about our program, visiting our feeder middle schools, and any other opportunities for outreach that arise.
During the spring semester, the Editor-in-Chief works with the team to select and compile all of the selected submissions into a magazine. Every year, the magazine has a particular theme that informs its design choices.
Another way the iliad gets involved with the ODYSSEY throughout the year is through the annual Creative Writing Project. The project, facilitated by iliad
To briefly recount the 2024-2025 school year, the iliad Editorial Board worked throughout the year to expand our club meetings, and we were able to reach a broader audience in our school, significantly increasing our club meeting attendance. Editorial Board members got the opportunity to collaborate on various projects, hosted author and artist visits at CCHS, engaged in community outreach, and attended state, regional, and national scholastic journalism conferences. We continually updated our website and social media throughout the year with work that our program has done, such as coverage of community events, student artist spotlights, and more.
In May of 2025, we were proud to publish the 49th edition of the iliad, “Sound and Color,” that highlighted the relationship between music and art. The magazine showcased a variety of creative works from CCHS students, faculty, and rising ninth graders from feeder middle schools.
Our team is so excited to continue our work this year and to further expand our program. We will continue to create content for our website and social media, and create the 50th edition of the iliad throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
I am so grateful to be a part of the iliad again this year, and I am greatly looking forward to working with all of the ODYSSEY Media Group students and continuing to grow our program.
Featured:
LAYOUT AND PACKAGING BY LIZA LARSON
BY MARGO MCDANIEL
iliad Editor-in-Chief
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I submit to the iliad?
Shortly after the school year begins, students will be able to fill out an online submission form that will be available on our website and social media. The student must attach a photo or document of their piece, and after being reviewed later in the school year, students will be notified if their piece is selected for publication.
How are submissions decided upon?
Submissions are reviewed by all 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.
When is the magazine distributed?
The iliad is 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. Additionally, when finalized, the magazine is 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 Mr. Ragsdale.
Above: AUTHOR VISIT: In partnership with the University of Georgia Wilson Center for Humanities and Art, the iliad Literary-Art magazine hosted a Q&A with author Ferdia Lennon in the Clarke Central High School Media Center on March 26. Lennon wrote the novel “Glorious Exploits,” and iliad Business Manager Mattie Pittard enjoyed the experience. “Having the opportunity to have dialogue with an established author in that environment was amazing. He was very intentional with his answers and provided good insight,” Pittard said. Photo by Iliana Tejada
