News Editor and Journalism I Facilitator Isabella Westrich, a senior, participates in a press conference on Oct. 30, 2023. Westrich joined ODYSSEY her freshman year and has written several stories on issues in Athens. “Journalism is very important for making change and connecting communities,” Westrich said. “Writing for ODYSSEY has let me talk to so many amazing people and learn about what’s going on in my school and town.” Photo by Aza Khan
Amid a field of international storytellers, senior Isabella Westrich was recognized as Student Journalist of the Year for 2024.
Students from 14 countries were commended for their work through Youth Journalism International’s 2024 Excellence in Journalism contest. Among those receiving awards was Clarke Central High School senior Isabella Westrich.
Westrich, who has served on the ODYSSEY Media Group all four years of high school and currently serves as its News Editor, won top honors as Student Journalist of the Year.
“Journalism is very important for making change and connecting communities,” Westrich said. “Writing for ODYSSEY has let me talk to so many amazing people and learn about what’s going on in my school and town.”
Westrich, along with students from around the world, joined a Zoom awards ceremony on May 4 to find out the results of the 15th annual competition. This year’s winners included young people from Brazil, Czechia, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, among other countries.
“I was really inspired to hear about all the amazing work student journalists are doing all over the world while at the award ceremony,” Westrich said. “A lot of them are taking on serious issues and making changes in their communities.”
News Editor Isabella Westrich interviews Hattie Thomas Whitehead in the Clarke Central High School Media Center. After being commended in the Youth Journalism International’s 2024 Excellence in Journalism contest Westrich looks back on her 4 year ODYSSEY, and is glad with what she accomplished. “Journalism is very important for making change and connecting communities,” Westrich said. “Writing for ODYSSEY has let me talk to so many amazing people and learn about what’s going on in my school and town.” Photos courtesy of Westrich
YJI awarded six crystal trophies as prizes in its top categories, including newswriting, sports, art, photography, commentary and reviews.
“The YJI contest is an incredible opportunity to recognize student journalists and programs across the globe,” Mitch Eden, a retired award-winning educator and contest judge, stated in a press release. “Never has there been a greater need to promote the great storytelling of these young adults. They are doing important work, and sometimes overcoming major obstacles at the same time.”
Competitors aged 19 and under submitted work published or broadcast in English during the calendar year 2023. An international panel of nearly 36 judges evaluated the hundreds of entries.
Youth Journalism International holds an annual awards ceremony at which it honors its top winners. On May 4, Clarke Central High School senior Isabella Westrich received YJI’s 2024 Student Journalist of the Year Award. “I’ve put a lot of time and work into ODYSSEY, and now I’m at the end of my time in the program so it feels really good to be recognized,” Westrich said.
“Every year, we’re surprised and happy to see student journalists from all over the world tackling many of the biggest issues of the day, from the climate crisis to the wars whose impact reaches people far from the front lines,” Steve Collins, YJI Board President, stated in a press release. “We’re glad we can honor some of the best work done in 2023 by student reporters, photographers and artists – the people who are the future of the news profession. We’re glad they’re already working hard to deliver the news.”
Westrich’s submission was the first time OMG staffers have entered YJI competition, but it won’t be the last says adviser David Ragsdale.
“Isabella’s had a fantastic career and her diligence in working with younger staffers will pave the way for more students to compete for YJI honors in the future,” Ragsdale said.
