A photo gallery depicting highlights from Maya Clement’s time in the ODYSSEY is shown. Clement reflects upon the her time in ODYSSEY Media Group and the culture inside the program. “It doesn’t matter how much we all fight or disagree or annoy each other, we are a family. We have formed so many amazing memories with each other that will last a lifetime. I’ve built a support system around me and learned to trust others,” Clement said.
Building a family
Managing Editor Maya Clement discusses the importance of community during her nearly four years in ODYSSEY.
I originally joined ODYSSEY because my mom heavily encouraged me to. However, I stayed in the program because of the community.
As a sophomore, I was put in an editorial position with only a semester of Zoom journalistic training, and I had no idea what to expect. I struggled to find my confidence in a group of people older and more experienced than me. But, right by my side were three senior leaders, then-Print Managing Editor Chloe Sears, Print Editor-in-Chief Audrey Enghauser and Digital Managing Editor Natalie Schliekelman.
Through them, I found my voice and developed my journalistic skills which set me up for success throughout my entire ODYSSEY career. They made me feel seen by taking me to countless meetings at coffee shops and always making time to answer the plethora of questions I had. They showed me that I could believe in myself and be my own leader in the room.
Through them, I also found the most important part of ODYSSEY for me: the relationships formed.
But, right by my side were three senior leaders, then-Print Managing Editor Chloe Sears, Print Editor-in-Chief Audrey Enghauser and Digital Managing Editor Natalie Schliekelman.
It doesn’t matter how much we all fight or disagree or annoy each other, we are a family. From my collection of embarrassing photos of people sleeping on bus rides to hours-long conversations in cars to more inside jokes than I can count, we have formed so many amazing memories with each other that will last a lifetime.
I’ve built a support system around me and learned to trust others. I’ve found people who will celebrate even the smallest successes with me and pick me up when I’m feeling down. I’ve grown alongside an amazing group of seniors from timid underclassmen who were afraid to speak to capable young adults who can do anything we set our minds to.
While I don’t want to pursue journalism after high school, I will always carry the memories I formed with my ODYSSEY family and establish my own support system anywhere I go. It’s not what I did or learned in ODYSSEY that will stick with me forever, but the people I met along the way and how they made me feel.
