Growing at GSPA

Twenty-nine Clarke Central High School journalists from the ODYSSEY Media Group and the Journalism 1 class attended the Georgia Scholastic Press (GSPA) spring workshop/awards banquet on April 17.  While on site, senior and News Editor Jurnee Louder was commended for two articles. “As soon as I found out that I won an award for one of my profiles, I immediately told the subject of the profile,” Louder said. “He was so happy to hear that others also enjoyed the story I wrote on him. Seeing his reaction made everything worth it.” Photo by J. Maria Bermudez

Clarke Central journalists attended the Georgia Scholastic Press Association spring banquet and blossomed.

Members of Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Media Group (OMG) and Journalism 1 class attended the Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) spring awards banquet and workshop on April 17.

“Overall, (GSPA) was a great experience. A lot of people got individual awards and we got some team awards. It was fun and we were able to bond as a staff,” OMG Co-Editor-in-Chief Aneesa Conine-Nakano said.

The OMG received recognition as the All-Georgia Newsmagazine, All-Georgia Website and All-Georgia Literary Magazine (awarded at the fall workshop) for the 2017-18 school year.

OMG Co-Editor-in-Chief Lucia Bermudez received recognition as the Georgia Champion Journalist, the highest recognition for a Georgia high school journalist, and Conine-Nakano was runner-up. OMG Junior Copy Editor Ana Aldridge was named the Georgia Junior Champion Journalist and Viewpoints Editor Valeria Garcia-Pozo was runner-up.

“Being named Junior Champion Journalist was super exciting for me because I worked really hard on my portfolio,” Aldridge said. “But, it also just goes to show all the help I’ve gotten — from my teammates, former members of ODYSSEY, Mr. (David) Ragsdale and the support I’ve received from my family, as well.”

Five members of the OMG staff presented at the GSPA conference. Design Editor Katie Grace Upchurch, variety staffer Everett Vereen and business staffer Emma Crane presented on design and first-time presenters Ana Aldridge and audience engagement staffer Bria Echols presented on team building, facilitated by OMG adviser David Ragsdale.

“Since GSPA was my first experience presenting at a conference, I was really nervous about how everything would go, but it actually went really well,” OMG variety staffer and GSPA presenter Everett Vereen said. “The audience was really receptive, we got good questions, and overall, I think we had a positive impact. GSPA was, and continues to be, a really valuable experience in my journalistic career.”

For Ragsdale, the 2018 GSPA awards banquet was an opportunity for journalistic growth and redemption.

“The group that came here last year left hanging their heads because, while we achieved individual recognition, the team didn’t click,” Ragsdale said. “A year later, we’re starting to hit a nice stride, which leaves me very excited for the future.”

For photos of the day, click here. 

For individual and staff awards, see below:

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