ODYSSEY Media Group members pose at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention in Columbia, South Carolina on March 4. Thirteen members of OMG were among the first recipients of the inaugural National Scholastic Press Association Leadership Award in Scholastic Journalism. “As a first year editor it feels really amazing to be recognized,” News Editor Cadence Schapker said. “I don’t know if I ever really considered myself a leader so being appointed to an editor and wanting to be an editor was a big step for me. But knowing that I’m doing something right and doing justice to journalism and this work that I really do love, but often struggle with, is really reassuring and motivating.” Photo from ODYSSEY archives
Thirteen members of the ODYSSEY Media Group were nationally recognized for their leadership excellence.
On April 17, 13 members of the ODYSSEY Media Group were part of the 1,300 high school journalists across the United States awarded the inaugural National Scholastic Press Association Leadership Award in Scholastic Journalism.
The students who received the award are: Kendarius Butts, Maya Clement, Isabelle Galis, Molly Harwell, Aza Khan, Wyatt Meyer, Janie Ripps, Cadence Schapker, Anna Shaikun, Maya Shrivastav, Audrey St. Onge, Antonio Starks and Isabella Westrich.
“NSPA is pleased to honor such a distinguished group of student journalists,” NSPA Associate Director Gary Lundgren stated in a press release. “The leadership demonstrated by these students during their two years working on high school media will serve them well for careers in journalism or any future endeavors.”
Students were nominated by OMG adviser and English department co-chair David Ragsdale for demonstrating journalistic excellence and leadership while maintaining good academic standing and high ethical standards.
“I’m pleased to see the emergent leadership and diligence of our ODYSSEY Media Group members recognized by this prestigious honor,” Ragsdale said. “This award paves the way for our future leaders to build confidence, resilience and diligence in all they do.”
“I’m really glad that there’s a chance for me and everybody else to really shine and have a moment to be recognized for all the work that we are putting in even if it is less seen outwardly.”
— Audrey St. Onge,
Business Manager
Business Manager Audrey St. Onge appreciates the recognition the award provides.
“I feel really honored that I was thought of as somebody who lives up to these high expectations. It means a lot to me that I am regarded in that way, and that I can be recognized because my position isn’t commonly leadership,” St. Onge said. “I’m really glad that there’s a chance for me and everybody else to really shine and have a moment to be recognized for all the work that we are putting in even if it is less seen outwardly.”
Similarly to St. Onge, Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell was glad to see staff members rewarded for their hard work.
“It felt great to receive the leadership award, but mostly I am so incredibly proud of my fellow staff members who also won. They have all worked so diligently this year and have exhibited amazing leadership inside and outside of the ODYSSEY room,” Harwell said. “Getting to see the smiles on their faces today after it was announced was amazing, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
