Editors for the ODYSSEY Media Group and iliad Literary-Art Magazine pose outside the Hynes Convention Center at the National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, on Nov. 2. ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell attended the convention for the second-consecutive year and felt that both were beneficial. “This NSPA was truly one of the most special conference experiences I’ve had in ODYSSEY, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to share it with,” Harwell said. Photo by Aza Khan
ODYSSEY Media Group editors attended the 2023 National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, from Nov. 2-5.
Editors for the ODYSSEY Media Group participated in the 2023 National High School Journalism Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, from Nov. 2-5.
The NHSJC, which is sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association and Journalism Education Association, was held jointly at the Sheraton Boston and Hynes Convention Center, and provided student journalists around the country an opportunity to attend sessions delivered by journalism experts, hear from professionals in the field, and network with other student journalists.
“This year’s NSPA was not one to miss,” iliad Literary-Art Magazine Editor-in-Chief Olivia Hendershot said. “I think the most important part of it all was being able to learn more about my team as well as have my team learn more about themselves and what they can accomplish with the help of the sessions.”
The event commenced with pre-convention workshops, immersive all-day courses in fields like design, leadership, photography, and broadcast journalism, on Nov. 2. Following a keynote speech later that night delivered by Boston Globe journalists on the paper’s award-winning investigative team, Spotlight, student journalists had the opportunity to attend presentations with experts from around the countries on a variety of topics throughout the remainder of the conference.
ODYSSEY Media Group Sports Editor Cadence Schapker presents her session “Who are we covering? Who is on staff? Who cares?” alongside Photography Editor Aza Khan and ODYSSEY Media Group Adviser David Ragsdale at the National High School Journalism Convention on Nov. 3. Schapker had less than two weeks between her first presentation at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association 2023 Fall Conference on Oct. 24 and presenting at NHSJC, but felt the experience went well both times. “Since my first time presenting at this past GSPA, I feel I’ve really improved and gained more confidence, which overall made the presentation smoother and more engaging,” Schapker said. “As a senior, I’m really thankful that I got to have this experience before I graduate.” Photo by Isabelle Duncan
“As a new editor, I was really looking for sessions in my most needed areas of growth, so sessions on opinions writing, column writing, staff management and editing were my focus,” ODYSSEY Media Group Viewpoints Editor Peter Atchley said. “I am really looking forward to implementing the things I learned here at NSPA.”
While all those in attendance had an opportunity to attend sessions, some OMG editors also presented alongside Adviser David Ragsdale. ODYSSEY Media Group Lead Copy Editor Wyatt Meyer and Photography Editor Aza Khan presented on game coverage, while Khan and Sports Editor Cadence Schapker also presented on diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Since my first time presenting at this past (Georgia Scholastic Press Association convention on Oct. 24), I feel I’ve really improved and gained more confidence, which overall made the presentation smoother and more engaging,” Schapker said. “As a senior, I’m really thankful that I got to have this experience before I graduate.”
On Nov. 4, the NHSJC held its annual awards ceremony to commemorate both staff and individual accomplishments in a broad range of categories. Several members of iliad and ODYSSEY staff, both past and present, received individual awards in the Best in Show competition. The ODYSSEY was recognized a Finalist for a Pacemaker, NSPA’s top award, while the iliad and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine placed first and second respectively in Best in Show. Additionally, Ragsdale was recognized by the JEA Board of Directors with a formal commendation for service to scholastic journalism.
“Seeing people’s hard work recognized is an amazing feeling because they don’t even know they have the possibility of winning an award, but the joy on their face when they see and hear their name is the biggest reward in my opinion,” ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor Maya Clement said.
“Seeing people’s hard work recognized is an amazing feeling because they don’t even know they have the possibility of winning an award, but the joy on their face when they see and hear their name is the biggest reward in my opinion.”
— Maya Clement,
ODYSSEY Media Group Managing Editor
Throughout the trip, OMG student journalists explored various parts of Boston, including Harvard Square and the historic Freedom Trail. Throughout the trip, OMG student journalists explored various parts of Boston, including Harvard Square and the historic Freedom Trail, with OMG alumni Andrew Robinson, a third-year at Harvard University, and Anna Tenner, a second-year at the University of Connecticut.
“Going on the trip felt like summer camp – each day was a new adventure and I made such incredible bonds with each of the editors in such a small amount of time. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more surrounded by love and genuine friendship in the program more than I did at this NSPA, and it’s such a bittersweet feeling now that it’s over,” ODYSSEY Media Group Editor-in-Chief Molly Harwell said.
The trip represented the second consecutive year the OMG attended the NHSJC in person, and continues the program’s commitment to allowing student journalists to learn from and speak to other student journalists at the national level.
“My hope, as ever, is that our young people will see the benefits of attending and presenting at conventions to give back what they’ve learned to the greater community of scholastic journalism,” Ragsdale said.
